BMW I3 MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the BMW I3. Check any I3 by registration number below.

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90.3%

Avg Pass Rate

+0.4%

vs BMW Avg

Year Ranges

Excellent

Reliability

BMW I3 — MOT Reliability Overview

The BMW I3 has an average MOT pass rate of 90.3%, which is 0.4 percentage points above the BMW brand average of 89.9%. This is a strong result, indicating that the I3 is well-engineered and tends to age well mechanically. Owners can expect fewer surprises at MOT time.

The most common reasons a BMW I3 fails its MOT are the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre seriously damaged. If you are preparing your I3 for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.

Before buying a used BMW I3, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the BMW I3 performs at MOT across different model years.

2022

Based on 379 vehicles

94.5%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.3%

Retest Rate

7.7%

Mileage at 3yr

35k mi

2021

Based on 6,500 vehicles

93.2%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.1%

Retest Rate

7.5%

Mileage at 3yr

31k mi

2020

Based on 11,474 vehicles

92.8%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.7%

Retest Rate

7.1%

Mileage at 3yr

32k mi

Mileage at 5yr

45k mi

2019

Based on 11,267 vehicles

92.6%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

1.9%

Retest Rate

7.6%

Mileage at 3yr

34k mi

Mileage at 5yr

52k mi

2018

Based on 8,439 vehicles

91.7%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.6%

Retest Rate

8.8%

Mileage at 5yr

56k mi

2017

Based on 8,225 vehicles

89.8%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.8%

Retest Rate

11.1%

Mileage at 5yr

63k mi

2016

Based on 5,552 vehicles

88.2%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.3%

Retest Rate

12.7%

2015

Based on 4,999 vehicles

86.8%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.5%

Retest Rate

14.9%

Mileage at 10yr

111k mi

2014

Based on 3,329 vehicles

87.7%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

3.3%

Retest Rate

11.3%

Mileage at 10yr

100k mi

2013

Based on 331 vehicles

84.9%Good

BMW average: 89.9%

Dangerous Defects

2.9%

Retest Rate

16.0%

Mileage at 10yr

93k mi

0

Based on 21,917 vehicles

91.4%Excellent

BMW average: 89.9%

Mileage at 5yr

36k mi

Top MOT Failures — BMW I3

The most common reasons a BMW I3 fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements

1.7%

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements

1.4%

A tyre seriously damaged

1.2%

An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction

1.1%

Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen

0.8%

BMW I3 Common Faults & Repair Costs

Where Failures Occur

The areas of the vehicle most commonly flagged during MOT inspections.

Nearside

1.6%

Rear Nearside

1.3%

Offside

1.1%

Other BMW Models

Compare MOT reliability across BMW models.

BMW 420d Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

90.4% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d Sport

87.3% pass rate

BMW X2 Sdrive18d M Sport X Auto

87.0% pass rate

BMW 550

82.4% pass rate

BMW 316 I

89.0% pass rate

BMW 540i Xdrive M Sport Mhev Auto

75.6% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for BMW I3

BMW I3 — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the BMW I3 MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW I3?

The average MOT pass rate for the BMW I3 is 90.3% compared to the BMW average of 89.9%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.

What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW I3?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW I3 are: The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements (1.7%), Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (1.4%), A tyre seriously damaged (1.2%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.

Is the BMW I3 reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 90.3%, the BMW I3 is rated as "Excellent" for reliability. This is a strong result suggesting good build quality and fewer common defects.

How do I check the MOT history of a BMW I3?

Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.

What mileage should I expect on a BMW I3?

Typical mileage for the BMW I3: 35,112 miles at 3 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used I3 to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your BMW I3's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.