2018 BMW i3 · 11,309 MOT tests
2018 BMW i3 reliability
2018 BMW i3s fail 9.9% of first MOT tests, 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 3 of 8 i3 years (11,309 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all BMW i3s: 11.7%)
- 9.9%
- first-time fail rate (all BMW i3s: 11.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 30% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 5
- 31,103
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 5
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 11,309
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2018 against the years either side
- 2017 cars: 27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2018 car does better)
- 2019 cars: 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2018 car does better)
- Weak spot: tyres, 5.4% of tests fail here (18% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: windscreen, wipers and mirrors, 42% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2018 car carries a 67 plate (January–February 2018), or a 18 plate (March–August 2018), or a 68 plate (September–December 2018).
Common problems
What fails on a 2018 BMW i3
Fail rate by area
- Tyres5.4%
- Lights and electrics2.1%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.8%
- Brakes0.5%
- Suspension0.4%
- Wheels0.3%
- Body, chassis and structure0.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.6%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.53%
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
Headlamp aim set too high 1.01%
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.8%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.66%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.42%
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (10.62%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.89%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (2.79%) · Brake pads wearing thin (2.13%) · Road wheel slightly distorted (1.62%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (1.58%)
Is a 2018 BMW i3 reliable?
2018 BMW i3s fail 9.9% of first MOT tests, 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 3 of 8 i3 years (11,309 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2018 BMW i3 MOT?
Most often tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.6% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.53% of tests), headlamp aim set too high (1.01% of tests).
How many miles should a 2018 BMW i3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 5, a typical 2018 BMW i3 shows 31,103 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2018 car?
A car first registered in 2018 carries a 67 plate (January–February 2018), or a 18 plate (March–August 2018), or a 68 plate (September–December 2018).
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