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BMW i8 I12/I15 (2014-2020) reliability

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BMW i8 I12/I15 built around 2018: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of BMW i8 I12/I15 models built around 2018 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a BMW i8 I12/I15?

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

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

BMW i8 I12/I15
2014-2020CoupeHYBRID ELECTRIC

Based on 2,326 tests of i8 models registered 2014-2020.

I12/I15 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1496.0%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
3349.0%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
3519.1%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
3289.8%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
52310.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
59110.3%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
502.0%

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 9 years old.

How the i8 I12/I15 compares

At each age below, see how the i8 I12/I15 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
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1496.0%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
3349.0%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
3519.1%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
3289.8%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
52310.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
59110.3%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
502.0%

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 pads

High priority

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

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.

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 coupes to compare

Other coupes, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the i8 I12/I15.

  1. 1

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.4%
    Dangerous
    1.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 5.3%, against 9.1% for the BMW i8 I12/I15, both built around 2018.

    2,547 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Porsche Cayman

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93%

    Lower fail rate: 5.5%, against 9.1% for the BMW i8 I12/I15, both built around 2018.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Jaguar F-Type

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.9%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.3%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 2.4%, against 4.0% for the BMW i8 I12/I15.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,085 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    4.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    More still registered at 10 years: 96%, against 79% for the BMW i8 I12/I15.

    6,783 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

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.

How many are still registered

79%of all BMW i8 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

6 recalls in all

5 of the 6 i8 I12/I15 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 4 more

Top concerns

  • Airbags may not deploy
  • Remaining particles in the cells of the high voltage battery can cause a short circuit
  • The electric motor electronics printed circuit board was not manufactured according to the specifications

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

How i8 I12/I15 cars have aged

How i8 I12/I15 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.

0%10%357911Age at MOTBuilt around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 8.8% (57 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 7.7% (52 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.3% (57 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 8.4% (214 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 8.2% (208 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 6.4% (172 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 8.8% (171 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 9.3% (333 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 7.8% (283 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 7.6% (236 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 8.5% (236 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 10.0% (221 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 7.4% (162 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 10.4% (144 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 5.2% (135 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 8.9% (124 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 8.6% (116 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 9.2% (325 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 11.0% (299 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 9.7% (288 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 11.8% (279 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 10.7% (271 tests, 2025 data)2016Built around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 11.2% (500 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 9.6% (469 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 9.0% (466 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 10.8% (453 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 9.7% (431 tests, 2025 data)2015Built around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 12.2% (82 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 5.4% (56 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 12.0% (50 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 2.0% (50 tests, 2025 data)2014
First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018First registered around 2017
I12/I15 variants compared
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on BMW i8 models of this age

This list covers every BMW i8 built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the I12/I15 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

    20.8%
    Advisory: 110Fail: 14 (11% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    6.3%
    Advisory: 25Fail: 2 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    4.3%
    Advisory: 19Fail: 4 (17% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    3.7%
    Advisory: 19Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    2.0%
    Advisory: 3Fail: 4 (57% of the times it was found)

Based on 351 tests

Looking at a BMW i8 I12/I15?

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 i8 I12/I15 (2014-2020) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 351 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 2,326 MOT tests on BMW i8 models first registered between 2014-2020. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.