BMW i3 MOT reliability
BMW i3s passed their MOT first time 87% of the time across 26,186 tests in 2025. 24,982 are still licensed in Great Britain.
Photo: Vauxford · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
First-time pass rate
87%
MOTs analysed
26,186
Still licensed (GB)
24,982
Body type
Hatchback
Pass rate by year of first registration
In detail:
First registered
2019
2019 electric
3,821 MOTs
Passed first time 88%. Typical mileage 35,511 (most between 24,427 and 48,315).
2020: 100% → 2021: 92% → 2022: 89% → 2023: 90% → 2024: 89% → 2025: 88%
Most common failures
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (2.3%)
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (2.1%)
- Coil spring: fractured or broken (1.9%)
- Headlamp aim: too high (1.2%)
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid (0.9%)
2019 hybrid
229 MOTs
Passed first time 90%. Typical mileage 41,286 (most between 28,175 and 55,853).
2020: 91% → 2021: 92% → 2022: 93% → 2023: 89% → 2024: 91% → 2025: 90%
Most common failures
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (2.6%)
- SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault (1.3%)
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak (0.9%)
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (0.9%)
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (0.9%)
Where 2019 i3s fail
Wheels & tyres
6.2%
Lights & electrics
2.2%
Suspension & axles
2.2%
Visibility & wipers
1.6%
Brakes
0.5%
Seat belts & other equipment
0.2%
Body, structure & corrosion
0.1%
Steering
0.0%
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