CarVerify

Free Car Check

R321 NCW

1997 BMW R850

Blue Petrol 850cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 Aug 2026
Tests19 (15 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate78.9%

Mileage

41,712 mi
Last recorded41,712 miles
Recorded on11 Aug 2025
Typical for 1997 BMW R85036,749 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationR321 NCW
MakeBMW
ModelR850
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine850cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

15 pass 4 fail
Pass 11 Aug 2025 41,712 miles
Pass 15 Aug 2024 39,695 miles

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 17 Aug 2023 38,533 miles
Pass 30 Jul 2022 37,306 miles
Pass 7 Aug 2021 32,383 miles
Pass 17 Aug 2020 27,101 miles
Pass 22 Aug 2019 25,275 miles
Fail 22 Aug 2019 25,275 miles

Front Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released (4.3.2 (a) (iii))

Pass 25 Apr 2017 25,029 miles
Fail 25 Apr 2017 25,029 miles

Front Stop lamp remains on when the brake is released (1.3.1e)

Pass 16 Mar 2016 24,874 miles

Rear wheel bearings have slight free play (2.4.A.2c)

Pass 15 Apr 2014 24,125 miles
Fail 11 Apr 2014 24,121 miles

Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times per minute (1.5.1c)

Pass 15 May 2012 22,163 miles

Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii))

Pass 13 May 2011 18,783 miles

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.3(ii))

Pass 5 May 2010 14,939 miles
Pass 30 Apr 2009 12,367 miles
Fail 30 Apr 2009 12,367 miles

Rear Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (1.3.1a)

Pass 16 Feb 2006 12,127 miles

How Reliable is the BMW R850?

Based on 19,569 MOT tests across 1,481 vehicles.

88.0%
Pass Rate
1,046
Miles/Year
31
Year Lifespan
1,481
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm 187
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 133
Stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies 118
shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil 106
Roller brake test indicates a binding brake 69
Full BMW R850 reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

R321 NCW is a 1997 BMW R850 in Blue with a 850cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 19 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 78.9%.

Across all 1997 BMW R850 models, the average MOT pass rate is 85.8% with a typical mileage of 36,749 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a BMW R850 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm, accounting for 187 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R321 NCW, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW R850 typically stays on UK roads for around 31 years. At 29 years old, this BMW R850 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R321 NCW?

You can check the full history of R321 NCW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R321 NCW registered?

R321 NCW is a 1997 BMW R850, first registered on 29 September 1997.

Is R321 NCW safe to buy?

The MOT history for R321 NCW shows 19 tests with a 78.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R321 NCW have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on R321 NCW. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.