BMW i3 MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 20,145 MOT tests on the BMW i3 carried out in 2023. 12% failed at the first attempt, which is well below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 9 in 10 i3s passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2013 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2013 models did best (84% passed, +15.7 points against the average for 10-year-old cars), while 2021 models fared worst (90%, −1.1 points). Tested cars had covered 35,906 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was tyres, found on 5.2% of tests (roughly in line with the 6.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords", on 1.8% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 20,145
- First-time pass rate
- 88%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +16.7 points
- Average mileage at test
- 35,906
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular i3?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
i3 MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 186 | 90% | 91% | −1.1 points | 16,409 |
| 2020 | 4,202 | 88% | 88% | +0.8 points | 19,602 |
| 2019 | 4,149 | 90% | 86% | +3.7 points | 26,090 |
| 2018 | 3,052 | 90% | 84% | +5.6 points | 33,776 |
| 2017 | 3,142 | 88% | 82% | +5.9 points | 44,781 |
| 2016 | 2,147 | 87% | 79% | +8.2 points | 49,135 |
| 2015 | 1,933 | 86% | 75% | +10.6 points | 53,713 |
| 2014 | 1,205 | 83% | 72% | +11.8 points | 57,608 |
| 2013 | 125 | 84% | 68% | +15.7 points | 57,412 |
Why the BMW i3 fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | i3 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 5.2% | 6.3% |
| Lights and electrics | 3.5% | 11.3% |
| Visibility | 2.3% | 4.8% |
| Brakes | 0.7% | 6.8% |
| Suspension | 0.6% | 8.9% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.4% | 1.0% |
| Road Wheels | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.3% | 3.1% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.2% | 0.4% |
| Body and structure | 0.2% | 3.5% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.8%
- 2tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
- 3too high1.8%
- 4provides insufficient washer liquid1.1%
- 5has ply or cords exposed0.7%
- 6not working0.7%
- 7does not clear the windscreen effectively0.7%
- 8has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.5%
- 9not working0.4%
- 10too low0.4%
Common i3 MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used i3, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 12.3% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 11.4% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 4.9% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 3.3% |
| badly distorted | Road Wheels | 2.5% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 2.0% |
| Nail in tyre | Non-component advisories | 1.9% |
| has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.8% |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | Non-component advisories | 1.8% |
| inscription illegible | Number plates and VIN | 0.5% |
Tips to help your i3 pass
Based on where i3s most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 3.5% of i3 tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Visibility · 2.3% of i3 tests
Clear the view
Replace wiper blades that smear, fill the washer bottle and get chips in the windscreen repaired early, especially in the area directly in front of the driver.
Brakes · 0.7% of i3 tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the i3 ULEZ compliant? See the BMW i3 ULEZ check, or view all BMW models.
Other BMW models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 20,145 first MOT tests of the BMW i3 carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 20,145 first MOT tests of the BMW i3.
What is the BMW i3 MOT failure rate?
In our data, 12% of 20,145 first MOT attempts on the BMW i3 ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a BMW i3 fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were tyres (5.2% of tests), lights and electrics (3.5% of tests), visibility (2.3% of tests).
Which i3 year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2013 cars performed best: 84% passed first time, +15.7 points against the average for 10-year-old cars. The weakest was 2021, at 90% (−1.1 points).
How many miles had a typical BMW i3 covered at its MOT?
The average was 35,906 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 16,409 miles and 2013 cars 57,412.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the BMW i3?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 12.3% of tests, in the tyres area. 5.2% of i3s failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific i3's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 20,145 i3s in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 83% to 90% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
Check any i3's MOT history
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