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BMW i4 reliability by build year

Coverage 2021-present1 named generationfamily electric carCoupeELECTRICITY
At a glance

BMW i4 built around 2022: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on BMW i4 models built around 2022 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check a BMW i4 by number plate

Key figure

7% of MOT tests on BMW i4 models built around 2022 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 4% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on BMW i4 models built around 2022 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The BMW i4's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

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.

Windscreen

If you have time

Inspect for chips and cracks in the wiper sweep area (Zone A) — these will fail an MOT.

Headlight aim

If you have time

Park facing a wall at night and check the beam pattern is even and at the right height.

By build year

How build years differ

Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your i4's generation

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

i4 G26

G26 (2021-present)

Poor
ELECTRICITY

14.5% fail rate, built around 2022 (3 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 10 MOTs, 10.1%)

From 4,474 MOT tests at this ageView details →

By age

BMW i4 fail rate by age

This chart combines every BMW i4 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
4,47414.5%

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 3 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 3-year-old BMW i4 models

These issues come from 3-year-old BMW i4 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

    24.8%
    Advisory: 1,874Fail: 74 (4% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    10.8%
    Advisory: 326Fail: 404 (55% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    8.2%
    Advisory: 244Fail: 234 (49% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Minor

    Windscreen damaged, but the driver can still see clearly

    2.1%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Minor

    Wiper blade defective

    1.3%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,474 MOT tests on 3-year-old BMW i4 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 3-year-old BMW i4 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. Other + Tyres37%
  2. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers35%
  3. Lighting + Tyres10%
  4. Brakes + Tyres10%

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

Across 350 MOT tests on BMW i4 cars built around 2022 (3 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

Not enough registration data to show this for the BMW i4.

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.

Recall context

8 recalls in all

7 of the 8 BMW i4 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 7 recalls

Top concerns

  • Replacing the cell module of the High-Voltage battery
  • Longitudinal chassis beam
  • Replace cell module in high-voltage battery

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

Like-for-like

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes to compare

  1. 1

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    4.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 4.2%, against 14.5% for the BMW i4, both built around 2022.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,568 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

  2. 2

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.2%
    Dangerous
    3.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    Lower fail rate: 7.3%, against 14.5% for the BMW i4, both built around 2022.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,861 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

  3. 3

    Jaguar F-Type

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.9%
    Dangerous
    3.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.3%

    Lower fail rate: 8.2%, against 14.5% for the BMW i4, both built around 2022.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,029 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

  4. 4

    Audi A5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.5%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    87.6%

    Lower fail rate: 10.4%, against 14.5% for the BMW i4, both built around 2022.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    5,446 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
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 2022 (3 years old), the BMW i4 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 4,474 3-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every BMW i4 ever sold: 4,474 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2022 (3 years old): 4,474 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.