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BMW F800ST Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free BMW F800ST car check

Is the BMW F800ST reliable? We analysed 3,197 real MOT tests across 283 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 3,197 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
89.1%
Typical Mileage
19,836mi
Annual Mileage
1,220mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
20yrs

The BMW F800ST is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used BMW F800ST.

BMW F800ST Number Plates

Number plates registered to a BMW F800ST. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

BMW F800ST MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a BMW F800ST to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

92.2%
2012
89.3%
2011
89.6%
2010
90.1%
2009
89.8%
2008
87.8%
2007
87.3%
2006

BMW F800ST Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a BMW F800ST fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 29
Roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort 19
Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 19
Steering movement excessively 'notchy' with the wheel raised 9
Brake pad(s) (sintered type) less than 1.0mm thick 8

BMW F800ST Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on BMW F800ST models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 18
Brake pad(s) less than 1.0 mm thick 8

BMW F800ST Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical BMW F800ST owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
404 mi/yr
Typical
1,220 mi/yr
Average
2,017 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,712 mi/yr

BMW F800ST MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the BMW F800ST year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2012 153 92.2% 10,682 17,184 25,465
2011 345 89.3% 11,015 17,796 23,312
2010 327 89.6% 9,621 16,885 31,662
2009 545 90.1% 12,579 18,967 26,073
2008 648 89.8% 12,715 19,550 30,534
2007 558 87.8% 12,683 22,317 34,249
2006 605 87.3% 14,012 23,014 33,742

How Long Does a BMW F800ST Last?

Based on 283 BMW F800ST vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.3 years
Median
15.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
20 years

BMW F800ST Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all BMW F800ST MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
19,836 mi
75th Percentile
29,983 mi
95th Percentile
49,399 mi
Max Recorded
125,373 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used BMW F800ST

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2012

92.2% MOT pass rate from 153 tests

Year to avoid
2006

87.3% MOT pass rate from 605 tests

The best year to buy a used BMW F800ST is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.2% across 153 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 87.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the BMW F800ST Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
BMW F800ST THIS CAR 89.1% 3,197 19,836 mi 20 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
Riley Elf 76.9% 5,039 51,475 mi 63 yrs

Compared to the BMW 3 Series (75.1% pass rate) and the BMW 118 (81.5% pass rate), the BMW F800ST outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used BMW F800ST?

The BMW F800ST has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.1% across 3,197 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 F800ST are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil (29 recorded failures), roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort (19), and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm (19). 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 tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a BMW F800ST 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 F800ST owner drives around 1,220 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 F800ST models stay on UK roads for around 20 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.

BMW F800ST — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the BMW F800ST reliable?
Based on 3,197 MOT tests, the BMW F800ST has a 89.1% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a BMW F800ST?
The most common MOT failures are shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil, roller brake test indicates excessive fluctuation of brake effort, and tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a BMW F800ST do per year?
The typical BMW F800ST does around 1,220 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a BMW F800ST last?
Most BMW F800ST models stay on UK roads for around 20 years based on our analysis of 283 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a BMW F800ST?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a BMW F800ST?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used BMW F800ST is 2012 with a 92.2% pass rate across 153 tests.