BMW I3
From 41,328 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer I3s fare better: 2022 models pass at 93.6% vs 87.5% for 2014.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements and windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 909 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a tyre seriously damaged | 909 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 744 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 271 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 208 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 155 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 147 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 144 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 98 |
| an srs malfunction indicator lamp (mil) indicates a system malfunction | 84 |
| windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | 66 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 46% of failures are serious: 42.5% are safety issues (brakes, steering, tyre damage) and 3.5% could actually leave you stranded. That's close to the 44.4% average across all models. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £69.
BMW I3 on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 238 scrapped or exported in the past year with only 6 newly registered, a net loss of 232.
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 25,120 | 360 | +2 | -0 | +144 |
| 2025 Q2 | 24,991 | 345 | +0 | -0 | +38 |
| 2025 Q1 | 24,963 | 335 | +0 | -98 | -98 |
| 2024 Q4 | 25,075 | 321 | +4 | -140 | -136 |
| 2024 Q3 | 25,247 | 285 | +0 | -0 | +180 |
| 2024 Q2 | 25,080 | 272 | +0 | -0 | +27 |
| 2024 Q1 | 25,070 | 255 | +2 | -251 | -249 |
| 2023 Q4 | 25,328 | 246 | +2 | -210 | -208 |
4 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| I3 | Battery Electric | 10,549 | 42% |
| I3 Range Extender | Range Extended Electric | 7,443 | 30% |
| I3S | Battery Electric | 6,450 | 26% |
| I3S Range Extender | Range Extended Electric | 678 | 3% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 93.6% | a tyre seriously damaged, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen |
| 2021 | 89.8% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2020 | 91.5% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2019 | 90.8% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
6 earlier years
| 2018 | 91% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2017 | 87.7% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2016 | 87.1% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2015 | 84.5% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2014 | 87.5% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2013 | 85% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
Typical mileage
Half of all I3s tested had between 40,781 and 67,475 miles on the clock.
At 57,203 median miles, the I3 has 0.019 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other BMW models
| BMW 3 Series | 79.2% |
| BMW 118 | 82.8% |
| BMW 116 | 78.9% |
| BMW X5 | 85.4% |
| BMW X3 | 83.9% |
Common questions
What is the BMW I3 MOT pass rate?
The BMW I3 has a 89.4% MOT pass rate based on 41,328 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a BMW I3?
The most common MOT failure on the BMW I3 is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 909 failures. Other common issues include tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements.
How many BMW I3s are on UK roads?
There are 25,120 BMW I3s currently licensed on UK roads, with 360 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a BMW I3 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a BMW I3 is 57,203 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 40,781 and 67,475 miles.
Buying a used I3?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
Some links are to services we may earn from. Disclosure.
MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.