Skip to main content
Check

BMW i4 G26 (2021-present) reliability

At a glance

BMW i4 G26 built around 2022: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on BMW i4 G26 models built around 2022 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Looking at a BMW i4 G26?

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

Key figure

7% of MOT tests on BMW i4 G26 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 G26 models built around 2022 involves the tyres.

BMW i4 G26
poor reliability2021-presentCoupeELECTRICITY

Based on 4,474 tests of i4 models registered 2021+.

About 1 in 6 electricity i4 cars registered in 2022 (17.1%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 5,861 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 50 i4 G26 MOTs (2.1%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2022 (3 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 4,474 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 15 i4 G26 MOTs (7.4%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2022 (3 years old).

Based on 4,474 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

G26 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
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.

How the i4 G26 compares

At each age below, see how the i4 G26 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 104,552 tests across 20 BMW models, built around 2022 (3 years old).

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

What to check before viewing

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

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the i4 G26.

  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 G26, 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 G26, 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 G26, 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 G26, 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.

Recall context

8 recalls in all

7 of the 8 i4 G26 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.

What has gone wrong on i4 G26 cars built around 2022

The share of electricity cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 486 cars.

Wear items

Tyres
13%
G26 variants compared

i4 G26 variants built around 2022

The fail rate for each i4 G26 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Electricity

  • I4 EDRIVE40 M SPORT14.1%2,726 tests
  • I4 M5015.0%1,277 tests
  • I4 EDRIVE40 SPORT15.1%463 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on BMW i4 models of this age

This list covers every BMW i4 built around 2022, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the G26 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

    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 tests

Looking at a BMW i4 G26?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2022 (3 years old), the BMW i4 G26 (2021-present) 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.

*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 4,474 MOT tests on BMW i4 models first registered from 2021. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.