Small car · 2013–2021 cars

BMW i3 reliability

The BMW i3 fails 11.7% of first MOT tests, 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 63,376 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 75/100#3 of 63 small cars

Checking a BMW i3 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 11.7%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 28% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 63,376; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 6,800; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the BMW i3 ages

Each point is the share of BMW i3s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

BMW i3All cars

BMW i3 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	BMW i3	All cars
3	9.7%	12.3%
4	9.7%	14.1%
5	10.4%	16.4%
6	13.1%	19.1%
7	13.6%	22.1%
8	16.6%	25.5%
9	15.4%	28.8%
10	15.7%	31.8%

By year

The best and worst BMW i3 years

2014 cars come out best and 2021 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

BMW i3 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 i3	1,702	9.3%	10% fewer fails	19,531
2020 i3	8,000	9.2%	17% fewer fails	21,792
2019 i3	11,939	9.9%	20% fewer fails	26,297
2018 i3	11,309	9.9%	30% fewer fails	31,103
2017 i3	11,196	12.5%	27% fewer fails	41,142
2016 i3	7,541	13.8%	29% fewer fails	45,840
2015 i3	6,805	15.5%	30% fewer fails	50,538
2014 i3	4,439	14.7%	41% fewer fails	56,302
2013	445	15.7%	40% fewer fails	52,907

Common problems

What fails most on a BMW i3

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Tyres5.2%7% above avg
Lights and electrics2.8%35% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.3%29% below avg
Brakes0.9%70% below avg
Suspension0.7%73% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.5%45% above avg
Wheels0.4%122% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.3%70% below avg
Number plates and VIN0.2%5% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.46% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.45% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
3
Headlamp aim set too high 0.89% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
4
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.88% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.59% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
6
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.59% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
7
Side repeater not working 0.4% of tests
A failed side repeater means other road users cannot see your intended direction change, which is dangerous and must be fixed.
8
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.35% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a BMW i3's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit10.31%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.77%
Brake disc pitted or scored4.45%
Brake pads wearing thin2.94%
Road wheel slightly distorted1.96%
Tyre worn close to legal limit1.48%

Before you buy

What to check on a used BMW i3

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
3
Headlamp aim set too high
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
4
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical BMW i3 covers about 6,800 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Electric52.9%
Hybrid47.1%
Petrol0%

Most common colours

White, Grey, Black, Blue, Silver

Average engine size: 0.6 litres.

Compare

How the BMW i3 compares with its rivals

BMW i3 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
BMW i3	11.7%	28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Skoda Roomster	33.2%	about average for its age
Nissan Almera	44.5%	8% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Alfa Romeo Mito	36.9%	16% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Suzuki Splash	35.4%	23% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Fiat 500L	33.7%	30% more MOT fails than the average car its age
MG 3	23.4%	44% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all BMW models.

Questions

BMW i3 questions, answered

Is the BMW i3 reliable?

On MOT results, the BMW i3 is better than average: it fails 11.7% of first MOT tests, 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 3 of 63 small car models in our index.

What fails most on a BMW i3 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the BMW i3 are tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.46% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.45% of tests), headlamp aim set too high (0.89% of tests). By area, tyres fails 5.2% of its tests.

Which BMW i3 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2014 cars do best (41% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2021 cars do worst (10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a BMW i3 do a year?

A typical BMW i3 covers about 6,800 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a BMW i3 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

Found a BMW i3? Check it free.

MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.