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BMW i3 I01 (2013-2022) reliability

At a glance

BMW i3 I01 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

BMW i3 I01 models built around 2018 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at a BMW i3 I01?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

12% of MOT tests on BMW i3 I01 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 I01 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

BMW i3 I01
excellent reliability2013-2022HatchbackHYBRID ELECTRIC / ELECTRICITY

Based on 28,675 tests of i3 models registered 2013-2022.

About 1 in 40 i3 I01 MOTs (2.8%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 3,249 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 25 i3 I01 MOTs (3.9%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 3,249 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

I01 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
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.

How the i3 I01 compares

At each age below, see how the i3 I01 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 156,618 tests across 18 BMW models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateBMW average
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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the i3 I01.

  1. 1

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.5%

    No clear edge over the BMW i3 I01 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 I01.

    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 I01 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 I01 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.

How many are still registered

87%of all BMW i3 cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

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 i3 I01 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.

What has gone wrong on i3 I01 cars built around 2018

The share of hybrid electric cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 177 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
2%

Wear items

Tyres
21%
Brakes
3%
Lighting
2%
How i3 I01 cars have aged

How i3 I01 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%20%357911Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 11.5% (3,007 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 7.9% (2,490 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 10.7% (3,177 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 9.8% (2,713 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 10.6% (2,632 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 10.9% (3,215 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 9.2% (2,754 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 10.3% (2,705 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 10.8% (2,558 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 10.5% (2,375 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 9.8% (1,926 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 8.7% (1,791 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 11.7% (1,752 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 11.0% (1,789 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 8.9% (2,309 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 10.0% (2,239 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 10.4% (2,144 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 13.1% (2,191 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 14.1% (2,192 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 9.4% (1,524 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 11.6% (1,468 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 11.2% (1,385 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 14.3% (1,418 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 16.3% (1,422 tests, 2025 data)2016Built around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 11.7% (1,395 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 12.8% (1,333 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 12.5% (1,289 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (1,262 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 14.0% (1,235 tests, 2025 data)2015Built around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 12.5% (808 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 12.9% (762 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 16.6% (765 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 16.1% (726 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 18.4% (751 tests, 2025 data)2014
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018
I01 variants compared

i3 I01 variants built around 2018

The fail rate for each i3 I01 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Hybrid electric

  • I311.6%2,129 tests

Electricity

  • I312.7%1,120 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on BMW i3 models of this age

This list covers every BMW i3 built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the I01 on its own.

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 tests

Looking at a BMW i3 I01?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the BMW i3 I01 (2013-2022) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 3,249 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 28,675 MOT tests on BMW i3 models first registered between 2013-2022. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.