BMW I3 MOT Failures
An analysis of 74,431 real DVSA MOT tests on the BMW I3 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the BMW I3 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the BMW I3 is wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and... — this model is 6.1 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it worth watching for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 74,431 MOT tests, 3.78% of all BMW I3 tests recorded this as a failure.
Wheel-related failures include cracked alloys, damaged wheel studs, and bearing play. Listen for rumbling at speed (wheel bearings) and check for any visible cracks around alloy spokes.
Other notable weak points include any fracture or welding defect on a wheel (12x the fleet average), engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (24x the fleet average), steering rack wear (13x the fleet average), and tyres on the same axle or on twin wheels are di... (6.8x the fleet average). These ratios compare the BMW I3's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 6 categories: Wheels, Bodywork, Steering, Tyres, Lights & Electrics and others. If you're inspecting a BMW I3 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The BMW I3's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the BMW I3 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... (24x the average) and any fracture or welding defect on a wheel (7.5x). tyres on the same axle or on twin wheels are di... (6.8x) and headlight fault (6.1x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the BMW I3 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are steering rack wear (13x the average) and any fracture or welding defect on a wheel (12x). wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and... (5.2x) and wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt o... (5.2x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
The standout failure at this mileage is wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and... at 6.1x the fleet average.
The shift from engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det... at lower mileages to wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and... at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
What to check before buying a BMW I3
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a BMW I3:
Wheels — check for wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and..., any fracture or welding defect on a wheel, wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt o.... Bodywork — check for engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det.... Steering — check for steering rack wear.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific BMW I3?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
BMW I3 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW I3?
Based on 74,431 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and... — at 6x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include any fracture or welding defect on a wheel and engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det....
Is the BMW I3 reliable based on MOT data?
The BMW I3 has 8 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and.... Always check a specific car's full history before buying.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
The most common high-mileage failures include wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and..., any fracture or welding defect on a wheel, engine mounting/bracket severely damaged or det....
How do I check a BMW I3's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.