MOT performance
BMW i3 MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 43,497 MOT tests of the BMW i3 in 2023–2024, 87.5% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, BMW i3s failed 17% less often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords”, on 1.95% of tests.
43,497 MOT tests on 23,417 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 87.5% | ±0.3 pts (95%), n = 43,497 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.83× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 3.9% | n = 43,497 |
| Average age at test | 4.9 years | n = 43,497 |
| Median mileage at test | 31,806 miles | n = 43,497 |
| Vehicles tested | 23,417 | 2023–2024 |
Where BMW i3s fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 5.6% | -13% |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 3.3% | -12% |
| Driver's view of the road | 2.4% | -19% |
| Brakes | 0.8% | -55% |
| Suspension | 0.7% | -67% |
| Road wheels | 0.5% | +183% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.5% | +105% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.3% | +140% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.2% | -3% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.2% | -37% |
| Steering | 0.1% | -76% |
BMW i3 MOT pass rate by fuel: electric vs hybrid
Raw pass rates partly reflect how old each fuel's cars are; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Fuels that differ materially from the model as a whole have their own page.
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.95% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 1.89% |
| Headlamp aim: too high | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.64% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 1.11% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 0.73% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 0.72% |
| Side repeaters: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 0.56% |
| Condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 0.52% |
| Washers: not working | Driver's view of the road | 0.38% |
| SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault | Seat belts and airbags | 0.35% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 13.24% |
| Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 12.47% |
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 5.33% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 3.32% |
| Condition: badly distorted | Road wheels | 2.62% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 15,185 | 89.8% | -21% |
| 5-6 | 11,518 | 87.6% | -20% |
| 7-8 | 8,080 | 85.0% | -20% |
| 9-10 | 2,760 | 82.4% | -23% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,610 | 87.3% | 1.15× |
| 2020 | 8,308 | 89.0% | 0.93× |
| 2019 | 8,241 | 89.6% | 0.75× |
| 2018 | 6,144 | 88.9% | 0.79× |
| 2017 | 6,321 | 86.5% | 0.84× |
| 2016 | 4,303 | 85.9% | 0.82× |
| 2015 | 3,848 | 84.3% | 0.80× |
| 2014 | 2,382 | 82.9% | 0.76× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Compared with similar models
Check a specific BMW i3
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.