BMW I3 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free BMW I3 car check
Is the BMW I3 reliable? We analysed 67,609 real MOT tests across 9,060 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific BMW I3? Enter the reg for a free check:
The BMW I3 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used BMW I3.
BMW I3 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a BMW I3. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
BMW I3 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a BMW I3 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
BMW I3 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on BMW I3 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
BMW I3 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical BMW I3 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
BMW I3 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the BMW I3 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1,254 | 91.4% | 18,188 | 30,156 | 45,922 |
| 2018 | 11,703 | 90.3% | 21,010 | 32,994 | 49,198 |
| 2017 | 16,989 | 89.2% | 25,206 | 39,962 | 59,252 |
| 2016 | 14,373 | 88.5% | 25,690 | 40,171 | 60,036 |
| 2015 | 13,872 | 87.9% | 27,819 | 44,520 | 65,799 |
| 2014 | 8,102 | 87.6% | 29,138 | 47,776 | 70,224 |
| 2013 | 887 | 87.1% | 29,788 | 47,627 | 69,070 |
How Long Does a BMW I3 Last?
Based on 9,060 BMW I3 vehicles on UK roads.
BMW I3 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all BMW I3 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used BMW I3
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.4% MOT pass rate from 1,254 tests
87.1% MOT pass rate from 887 tests
The best year to buy a used BMW I3 is 2019, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.4% across 1,254 tests. The 2013 model year has the lowest pass rate at 87.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the BMW I3 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW I3 THIS CAR | 88.8% | 67,609 | 40,294 mi | 13 yrs |
| BMW 3 Series | 75.1% | 12,840,406 | 90,743 mi | 37 yrs |
| BMW 118 | 81.5% | 1,923,256 | 64,042 mi | 22 yrs |
| BMW X5 | 77% | 1,735,343 | 83,401 mi | 25 yrs |
| Volvo S90 | 86.7% | 42,777 | 54,530 mi | 29 yrs |
Compared to the BMW 3 Series (75.1% pass rate) and the BMW 118 (81.5% pass rate), the BMW I3 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a BMW I3 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific BMW I3Should you buy a used BMW I3?
The BMW I3 has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.8% across 67,609 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a BMW I3 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical BMW I3 owner drives around 5,822 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most BMW I3 models stay on UK roads for around 13 years. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.