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BMW i3 Common Problems, Faults & Repair Costs (2026)

Based on official DVSA MOT test data. View the most common MOT failure categories, pass rates, and estimated repair costs for the BMW i3 (2013–2022).

MOT Pass Rate

88.5%6.5% above national avg (82%)

Reliability rating: Excellent — based on approx. 8,000 tests

Dangerous Defects

0.90%

Low risk

Retest Rate

8.0%

of failed tests need a retest

Top MOT Failure Categories

1

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

Est. repair: £40–£200

11.0%
2

Suspension

Est. repair: £120–£450

8.5%
3

Brakes

Est. repair: £100–£350

7.8%
4

Tyres

Est. repair: £50–£120 per tyre

9.2%
5

Exhaust, fuel and emissions

Est. repair: £40–£200

2.2%

Where Faults Occur

27.0%

Front

24.0%

Rear

18.0%

Offside

Mileage Benchmarks

At 3 years

16,000 mi

At 5 years

28,000 mi

At 10 years

N/A

Significantly higher or lower mileage than these benchmarks may indicate unusual usage patterns. Check the full MOT history for mileage consistency.

Is a BMW i3 a Good Buy?

The BMW i3 demonstrates above-average reliability based on MOT test data, with a 88.5% pass rate. This places it 6.5% above the national average, suggesting lower ongoing maintenance costs compared to many competitors.

While no car is without faults, lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues are the most common concern, affecting approximately 11.0% of failed tests. These tend to be relatively affordable to fix at £30–£150.

BMW i3 MOT Check & History

View detailed MOT pass rates by year, mileage benchmarks, and full test history data for the BMW i3.

View BMW i3 MOT Data

Check a Specific BMW i3

Enter a registration number to view the full MOT history for any BMW i3.

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Other BMW Models

BMW 3 Series

79.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

BMW 1 Series

80.2%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

BMW 5 Series

77.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

BMW X1

82.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

BMW X3

81.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

BMW 2 Series

83.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

View all BMW models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common MOT faults on a BMW i3?
The top MOT failure on the BMW i3 is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, accounting for approximately 11.0% of all failures. Other common issues include suspension and brakes.
What is the BMW i3 MOT pass rate?
The BMW i3 has an estimated MOT pass rate of 88.5%, which is 6.5% above the national average of 82%. This rates the BMW i3 as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
Is the BMW i3 reliable?
Based on DVSA MOT data, the BMW i3 has a excellent reliability record with a 88.5% pass rate. It has a dangerous defect rate of 0.90% and a retest rate of 8.0%.
How much does it cost to fix common BMW i3 MOT failures?
Typical repair costs for BMW i3 MOT failures range from £30–£200 for lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues to £120–£450 for suspension problems. Prices are estimates based on typical UK independent garage rates.
What mileage should a BMW i3 have?
Based on MOT test data, the average BMW i3 covers approximately 16,000 mi by 3 years, 28,000 mi by 5 years, and N/A by 10 years. Significantly higher or lower mileage may warrant closer inspection.
Should I buy a used BMW i3?
The BMW i3 is generally a solid choice based on MOT data. Check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before purchasing, paying particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues and mileage consistency.
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