BMW I3 MOT Failure Rate

Q: What is the MOT failure rate for a BMW I3?

The BMW I3 has an overall MOT failure rate of 11.4%, based on 85,751 MOT tests in the DVSA database. This is below the UK average of 28%.

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

The most common MOT failure areas for the BMW I3 are: Tyres (2.9% risk), Lamps & Electrics (1.6% risk), Visibility (1.2% risk). These are based on weighted component failure rates across all age and mileage bands.

Q: Is the BMW I3 reliable for MOT?

Yes, the BMW I3 is more reliable than average for MOT, with a failure rate of 11.4% compared to the UK average of 28%.

Q: How does the BMW I3 MOT failure rate change with age?

The BMW I3 MOT failure rate increases with vehicle age. Newer models typically have lower failure rates, while vehicles over 10 years old see significantly higher rates, often above 35%. Regular maintenance becomes more important as your vehicle ages.

Q: How can I reduce the risk of my BMW I3 failing its MOT?

Check all lights and bulbs, inspect tyre tread depth, test windscreen washers and wipers, listen for brake or suspension noises, and consider a pre-MOT check at a local garage. Use AutoSafe's free prediction tool for a personalised risk assessment.

11.4%

MOT failure rate from 85,751 tests

16.6pp below the UK average (28%)

Key Findings for the BMW I3

Overall MOT failure rate: 11.4% — 16.6pp below the UK average (28%)
Highest-risk component: Tyres (2.9% failure risk)
Most reliable age group: 3-5 years (9.7% failure rate)
Highest-risk age group: 6-10 years (14.2% failure rate)
Based on 85,751 official DVSA MOT tests

Failure Rate by Vehicle Age

How the BMW I3 MOT failure rate changes with age:

Age	Failure Rate	Tests	Worst Area
0-2 years	11.1%	13,923	Tyres
3-5 years	9.7%	44,254	Tyres
6-10 years	14.2%	27,553	Tyres

Component Risk Breakdown

Which parts of the BMW I3 are most likely to cause an MOT failure:

Tyres 2.9%

Lamps & Electrics 1.6%

Visibility 1.2%

Brakes 0.4%

Suspension 0.4%

Body & Chassis 0.1%

Steering 0.0%

BMW I3 by Age Group

See detailed MOT failure data for each age group:

What BMW I3 Owners Should Watch For

Based on the MOT test data for the BMW I3, here are the key areas to pay attention to before your MOT:

Tyres (2.9% failure risk) — Ensure all tyres have at least 1.6mm tread depth across the central three-quarters. Check for sidewall damage, bulges, and uneven wear.
Lamps & Electrics (1.6% failure risk) — Walk around the car and check every bulb — headlights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and number plate lights. This is one of the cheapest and easiest fixes.
Visibility (1.2% failure risk) — Inspect windscreen for chips larger than 10mm in the driver’s line of vision and 40mm elsewhere in the swept area. Check all washers and wipers.

Many of these issues are inexpensive to fix when caught early. A pre-MOT inspection at a local garage typically costs £20–£40 and can save you the cost of a retest (£15–£30) plus the inconvenience of a failed MOT.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MOT failure rate for a BMW I3?

The BMW I3 has an overall MOT failure rate of 11.4%, based on 85,751 MOT tests recorded in the DVSA database. This is below the UK national average of approximately 28%.

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

The most common areas for MOT failure on a BMW I3 are:

Tyres — 2.9% failure risk
Lamps & Electrics — 1.6% failure risk
Visibility — 1.2% failure risk

These component risks are weighted averages across all age and mileage bands in the dataset.

Is the BMW I3 reliable for MOT?

Yes, the BMW I3 performs better than average in MOT tests. Its 11.4% failure rate is well below the UK average of 28%, making it one of the more reliable options.

How does the BMW I3 MOT failure rate change with age?

The failure rate increases significantly with vehicle age. Newer BMW I3 models (0-2 years) have a relatively low 11.1% failure rate. This pattern is common across most vehicle models and reflects increased wear on mechanical components over time.

How can I reduce the risk of my BMW I3 failing its MOT?

The most effective steps are: (1) Check all lights and bulbs before your test — lighting failures are the most common and cheapest to fix. (2) Inspect tyre tread depth and condition. (3) Test your windscreen washers and wipers. (4) Listen for unusual noises from brakes or suspension. (5) Consider a pre-MOT check at a local garage. You can also use our free prediction tool to get a personalised risk breakdown for your specific vehicle.

Where can I check the MOT history of a BMW I3?

You can check any vehicle's full MOT history for free on the official DVSA service. This shows all previous test results, advisory items, and failure reasons. AutoSafe goes further by analysing this data with AI to predict your future MOT outcome.

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Other BMW Models

Compare the BMW I3 MOT failure rate against other BMW models:

Similar Failure Rate Models

These models from other manufacturers have a similar MOT failure rate to the BMW I3:

Related Guides

Data methodology: Failure rates are weighted averages across all mileage bands, calculated from official DVSA MOT test records. Only age/mileage combinations with 100+ tests are included. Component risks represent the probability of failure in each specific area. Data covers 142 million MOT tests across the UK.

Trust signals: Risk model: CatBoost v55 • Data source: DVSA Open Data (OGL v3) • Last updated: 2026-03-08 • Limitation: population averages; individual vehicle condition, service history and mileage may vary.

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