BMW i8 MOT pass rate and common problems
93.4% of 6,079 BMW i8 MOT tests pass.
The i8 passes its MOT 93.4% of the time — well above the average across all BMW models, which sits at 85.5%.
The BMW i8 passes its MOT 93.4% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this BMW i8?
This is the average across every BMW i8 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your BMW’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Unusually, pass rate is higher for older examples: 93.3% at 3–6 years compared with 95.4% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 93.3% | 1,310 | 20,936 miles |
| 6–10 years | 93.4% | 4,682 | 45,582 miles |
| 10–15 years | 95.4% | 87 | 51,796 miles |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the BMW i8
The most common reason the BMW i8 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 39.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 39.6% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 19.4% | Too high |
| Identification of the vehicle | 18.9% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Visibility | 14.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Brakes | 6.5% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Body, chassis, structure | 5.4% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Suspension | 3.1% | Damaged to the extent that it does not function |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.5% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Road Wheels | 1.6% | Fixing missing |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.6% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used BMW i8: what to check
These checks follow the BMW i8’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 95.7% down to 92.7%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 39.6% of failed BMW i8 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 19.4% of failed BMW i8 MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Number plates and VIN
Recorded in 18.9% of failed BMW i8 MOTs.
Match the registration plates and the VIN (usually at the base of the windscreen and on a door pillar) to the V5C.
4. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 14.9% of failed BMW i8 MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
5. Brakes
Recorded in 6.5% of failed BMW i8 MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check BMW service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related BMW models
- BMW 8 Series — 91.0% pass rate
- BMW M2 — 93.0% pass rate
- BMW M5 — 92.8% pass rate
- BMW iX3 — 89.9% pass rate
- BMW X7 — 90.9% pass rate
- BMW M6 — 92.5% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW i8?
- 93.4% of BMW i8 MOT tests pass, based on 6,079 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the BMW i8?
- The most common reason the BMW i8 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 39.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the BMW i8?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the BMW i8 are tyres; lights and electrics; number plates and vin.
- What should I check when buying a used BMW i8?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; number plates and vin; windscreen and wipers; brakes. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the BMW i8's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the BMW service history guide for how to check and keep one.