BMW F800GS Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free BMW F800GS car check
Is the BMW F800GS reliable? We analysed 2,325 real MOT tests across 257 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific BMW F800GS? Enter the reg for a free check:
The BMW F800GS is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, wheel bearings have excessive free play and wheel bearings have excessive free play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used BMW F800GS.
BMW F800GS Number Plates
Number plates registered to a BMW F800GS. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
BMW F800GS MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a BMW F800GS to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
BMW F800GS Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a BMW F800GS fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
BMW F800GS Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on BMW F800GS models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
BMW F800GS Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical BMW F800GS owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
BMW F800GS MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the BMW F800GS year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 94 | 89.4% | 7,046 | 11,133 | 21,259 |
| 2011 | 246 | 93.9% | 8,140 | 13,994 | 25,724 |
| 2010 | 343 | 89.8% | 14,543 | 22,031 | 36,058 |
| 2009 | 824 | 91.0% | 10,988 | 20,374 | 32,002 |
| 2008 | 765 | 91.6% | 11,448 | 20,352 | 29,241 |
How Long Does a BMW F800GS Last?
Based on 257 BMW F800GS vehicles on UK roads.
BMW F800GS Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all BMW F800GS MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used BMW F800GS
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.9% MOT pass rate from 246 tests
89.4% MOT pass rate from 94 tests
The best year to buy a used BMW F800GS is 2011, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.9% across 246 tests. The 2012 model year has the lowest pass rate at 89.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the BMW F800GS Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW F800GS THIS CAR | 91.2% | 2,325 | 19,563 mi | 18 yrs |
| BMW 3 Series | 75.1% | 12,840,406 | 90,743 mi | 37 yrs |
| BMW 118 | 81.5% | 1,923,256 | 64,042 mi | 22 yrs |
| BMW X5 | 77% | 1,735,343 | 83,401 mi | 25 yrs |
| Renault Megane Dynamique Tomtom Vvt | 80.6% | 2,666 | 68,711 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the BMW 3 Series (75.1% pass rate) and the BMW 118 (81.5% pass rate), the BMW F800GS outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a BMW F800GS you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific BMW F800GSShould you buy a used BMW F800GS?
The BMW F800GS has an overall MOT pass rate of 91.2% across 2,325 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the BMW F800GS are tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (12 recorded failures), wheel bearings have excessive free play (5), and wheel bearings have excessive free play (5). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a BMW F800GS with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical BMW F800GS owner drives around 1,281 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most BMW F800GS models stay on UK roads for around 18 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.