BMW i8 MOT pass rate & common failures
11,689 MOT tests on the BMW i8 (2014–2020) give it a 91.6% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (14.0% fail rate), the i8 comes out 5.6pp better. Its most common failure areas are tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.4%) and lighting & signalling (1.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, registration plates and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 632 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the i8 fails 6.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 9.6% at 90-120k, a spread of only 3.3 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 19.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
By model year
Every i8 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1,077 | 90.4% | 9.6% | Tyres |
| 2015 | 3,504 | 91.0% | 9.0% | Tyres |
| 2016 | 2,468 | 91.2% | 8.8% | Tyres |
| 2017 | 1,256 | 92.0% | 8.0% | Tyres |
| 2018 | 2,056 | 92.4% | 7.6% | Tyres |
| 2019 | 1,097 | 93.3% | 6.8% | Tyres |
| 2020 | 231 | 92.6% | 7.4% | Tyres |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.4% | 516 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 181 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.4% | 168 |
| 4 | Other defects | 1.3% | 149 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.9% | 99 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.7% | 76 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 53 |
| 8 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 36 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 632 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 249 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 169 |
| 4 | Wipers | 110 |
| 5 | Joints | 94 |
| 6 | Washers | 65 |
| 7 | Side repeaters | 57 |
| 8 | Brake pads | 52 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.6% | 2,289 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.2% | 723 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.8% | 330 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.4% | 280 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.0% | 237 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.9% | 105 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 5,480 | 6.3% |
| 30-60k | 4,688 | 9.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,296 | 13.1% |
| 90-120k | 199 | 9.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,245 | 8.9% |
| 2022 | 2,382 | 8.2% |
| 2023 | 2,462 | 8.1% |
| 2024 | 2,309 | 8.7% |
| 2025 | 2,291 | 8.2% |
What to check before buying a BMW i8
- Tyres (4.4% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (1.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.4% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW i8?
91.6% of the 11,689 BMW i8 MOT tests in this dataset passed, an 8.4% fail rate, across model years 2014–2020.
What does the BMW i8 most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres, recorded in 4.4% of tests, then lighting & signalling (1.6%).
How much does mileage affect i8 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 6.3% for cars in the 0-30k band and 9.6% for 90-120k, a 3.3-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,689 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.