2017 BMW i3 · 11,196 MOT tests
2017 BMW i3 reliability
2017 BMW i3s fail 12.5% of first MOT tests, 27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 8 i3 years (11,196 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW i3s: 11.7%)
- 12.5%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW i3s: 11.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 27% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 6
- 41,142
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 6
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 11,196
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2017 against the years either side
- 2016 cars: 29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2017 car does worse)
- 2018 cars: 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2017 car does worse)
- Strong point: brakes, 68% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2017 car carries a 66 plate (January–February 2017), or a 17 plate (March–August 2017), or a 67 plate (September–December 2017).
Common problems
What fails on a 2017 BMW i3
Fail rate by area
- Tyres5.2%
- Lights and electrics2.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.6%
- Brakes1%
- Suspension0.8%
- Wheels0.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.59%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.47%
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.9%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Headlamp aim set too high 0.79%
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.63%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.6%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (11.82%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (10.93%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (5.66%) · Brake pads wearing thin (4.05%) · Road wheel slightly distorted (2.12%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (1.78%)
Is a 2017 BMW i3 reliable?
2017 BMW i3s fail 12.5% of first MOT tests, 27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 8 i3 years (11,196 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2017 BMW i3 MOT?
Most often tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.59% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.47% of tests), windscreen washer fluid insufficient (0.9% of tests).
How many miles should a 2017 BMW i3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 6, a typical 2017 BMW i3 shows 41,142 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2017 car?
A car first registered in 2017 carries a 66 plate (January–February 2017), or a 17 plate (March–August 2017), or a 67 plate (September–December 2017).
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