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BMW i3 reliability by build year

Coverage 2013-20222 named generationselectric superminiHatchbackELECTRICITY / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

BMW i3 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

BMW i3 models built around 2018 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Check a BMW i3 by number plate

Key figure

12% of MOT tests on BMW i3 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on BMW i3 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The BMW i3's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your i3's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

i3 I01

I01 (2013-2022)

Excellent
ELECTRICITYHYBRID ELECTRIC

12.0% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 3,249 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the BMW i3.

See every build year for the BMW i3

By age

BMW i3 fail rate by age

This chart combines every BMW i3 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
3,77010.1%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
4,4118.7%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
4,56910.3%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
4,20510.3%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
3,24912.0%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
3,31114.2%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
2,40216.7%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
1,88714.8%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
87118.3%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 11 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the BMW i3 stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other BMW models

4th of 16

4th lowest fail rate of 16 BMW models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

6th of 84

6th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

12.0%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old BMW i3 models

These issues come from 7-year-old BMW i3 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    16.6%
    Advisory: 828Fail: 72 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    13.8%
    Advisory: 770Fail: 55 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    9.0%
    Advisory: 448Fail: 1 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    5.8%
    Advisory: 195Fail: 23 (11% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Wheel slightly distorted

    3.5%
    Advisory: 140Fail: 2 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,249 MOT tests on 7-year-old BMW i3 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old BMW i3 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres38%
  2. Other + Tyres23%
  3. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers17%
  4. Suspension + Tyres13%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 530 MOT tests on BMW i3 cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

87%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · Fewer than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

7 recalls in all

All 7 BMW i3 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 6 more

Top concerns

  • The air bag control unit may have been equipped with a defective sensor for the rollover detection
  • During supplier s production process of the battery cells a manufacturing defect occurred with the winding of cell-inter
  • The micro gas generator within the front seatbelt's retractor may have been damaged

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.5%

    No clear edge over the BMW i3 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,314 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    More still registered at 10 years: 96%, against 87% for the BMW i3.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    50,561 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Fiat 500

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.9%

    No clear edge over the BMW i3 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    MG 3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.1%

    No clear edge over the BMW i3 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    3,383 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the BMW i3 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has the 4th lowest fail rate of 16 BMW models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 3,249 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every BMW i3 ever sold: 28,675 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 3,249 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.