BMW 850 (1993)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 70 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,588

£216/month

MOT Pass Rate

96%

Excellent

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 35-50

5576cc Petrol

Great Choice

96% pass rate, £2,588/year to run. 14 points above average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific BMW 850

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol5576cc33 years old70 tests87k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 5576cc)

~30 mpg

£1,958

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,588

Per month£216/mo

Per week£50/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

96% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

96% of MOT tests on BMW 850s from 1993 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 31 years old. That's based on 70 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 86,998 miles.

Got a BMW 850 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1993 models5th of 188(top 3%)

Rank among BMW models154th of 1,548(top 10%)

vs average of all models+14%(82% avg)

vs 1993 models average+20%(76% avg)

vs BMW average+8%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

86,998

Average miles

229,400

Expected for age

The average 1993 BMW 850 had 86,998 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 229,400 miles for a 31-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific BMW 850?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

BMW 850 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2019	86%	42	29,761 mi
1995	79%	47	87,029 mi
1994	86%	91	86,954 mi
1993	96%	70	86,998 mi
1992	88%	83	110,100 mi
1991	86%	173	105,721 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Jaguar XJ

1995 · 5993cc Petrol

£2,888/year

79%

-17%

Jaguar XJS

1994 · 5993cc Petrol

£2,738/year

85%

-11%

Porsche 928

1995 · 5400cc Petrol

£2,738/year

80%

-16%

Ferrari 456

1995 · 5474cc Petrol

£2,588/year

93%

-3%

Check a Specific BMW 850

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1993 BMW 850

The 1993 BMW 850 is a premium performance car. Our records list a 5576cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 70 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 3% of all 1993 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 86,998 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW 850 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1993 BMW 850 Fuel Costs

The 5576cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1993 BMW 850?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,588 (£216/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 96% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Buying a Used 1993 BMW 850

At 33 years old, the BMW 850 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. Note: with only 70 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 33 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 87k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1993 BMW 850 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
BMW 850(1993)	96%	£1,958	£375	Grp 35-50	£2,588
Jaguar XJ(1995)	79%	£1,958	£375	Grp 35-50	£2,888+£300
Jaguar XJS(1994)	85%	£1,958	£375	Grp 35-50	£2,738+£150
Porsche 928(1995)	80%	£1,958	£375	Grp 35-50	£2,738+£150
Ferrari 456(1995)	93%	£1,958	£375	Grp 35-50	£2,588same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1993 BMW 850

Is the 1993 BMW 850 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 96% of MOT tests on 1993 BMW 850s ended in a pass, from 70 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1993 BMW 850 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,588 a year (£216 a month): £1,958 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1993 BMW 850?

96% of 70 MOT tests on the 1993 BMW 850 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 5th of 188 models first registered in 1993 (top 3%).

What is the average mileage for a 1993 BMW 850?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1993 BMW 850 is 86,998 miles, which is significantly below the expected 229,400 miles for a 31-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.