Sports car and convertible · 2014–2020 cars
BMW i8 reliability
The BMW i8 fails 9.6% of first MOT tests, 44% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 9,373 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a BMW i8 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 9.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 44% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 9,373
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,100
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the BMW i8 ages
Each point is the share of BMW i8s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | BMW i8 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9.1% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 8.4% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 9.4% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 8.6% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 10% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 11.4% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 8.8% | 28.8% |
By year
The best and worst BMW i8 years
2015 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 985 | 6.7% | 36% fewer fails | 13,561 |
| 2018 i8 | 1,567 | 9.7% | 24% fewer fails | 23,077 |
| 2017 i8 | 1,081 | 8.3% | 48% fewer fails | 32,943 |
| 2016 i8 | 1,982 | 11% | 41% fewer fails | 39,276 |
| 2015 i8 | 2,744 | 10.2% | 50% fewer fails | 41,046 |
| 2014 | 820 | 9.4% | 58% fewer fails | 44,450 |
Common problems
What fails most on a BMW i8
Its weak spot is number plates and vin: 616% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres3.8%18% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.7%50% below avg
- Lights and electrics1.6%66% below avg
- Number plates and VIN1.4%616% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.9%15% below avg
- Brakes0.7%76% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.4%69% below avg
- Suspension0.2%93% below avg
- Wheels0.2%7% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.3% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 2
Number plate does not meet standards 0.67% of tests
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
- 3
Headlamp aim set too high 0.61% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.61% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
CV joint boot split or insecure 0.49% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 6
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.46% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 7
Side repeater not working 0.27% of tests
A failed side repeater means other road users cannot see your intended direction change, which is dangerous and must be fixed.
- 8
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 0.26% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a BMW i8's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit9.83%
- Brake pads wearing thin2.37%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking1.5%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit1.48%
- Brake disc pitted or scored1.35%
- Nail in tyre, monitor1.15%
Before you buy
What to check on a used BMW i8
- 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
Number plate does not meet standards
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
- 3
Headlamp aim set too high
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 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 i8 covers about 5,100 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
- Hybrid99.9%
- Petrol0.1%
Most common colours
Grey, White, Silver, Blue, Orange
Average engine size: 1.5 litres.
Compare
How the BMW i8 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan GT-R | 5.6% | 76% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Aston Martin DB11 | 3.9% | 66% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| BMW i8 | 9.6% | 44% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Spider | 30.2% | 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MINI Convertible | 28.1% | 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat 124 | 12.5% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Cascada | 22.6% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all BMW models.
Questions
BMW i8 questions, answered
Is the BMW i8 reliable?
On MOT results, the BMW i8 is better than average: it fails 9.6% of first MOT tests, 44% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 28 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a BMW i8 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the BMW i8 are tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.3% of tests), number plate does not meet standards (0.67% of tests), headlamp aim set too high (0.61% of tests). By area, tyres fails 3.8% of its tests.
Which BMW i8 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2015 cars do best (50% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a BMW i8 do a year?
A typical BMW i8 covers about 5,100 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 i8 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.
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