2017 BMW i8 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,256 MOT tests, the 2017 BMW i8 recorded a 92.0% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 12.6% of the time, so this is 4.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.9%) and lighting & signalling (2.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and registration plates — tread depth alone was recorded 74 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 10.9% once past 60-90k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.9% | 62 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 26 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.3% | 16 |
| 4 | Other defects | 1.1% | 14 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.6% | 8 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 4 |
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 | 74 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 26 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 24 |
| 4 | Wipers | 12 |
| 5 | Attachment | 9 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 8 |
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 | 20.7% | 260 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.2% | 90 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.0% | 38 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.4% | 18 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.7% | 9 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.6% | 7 |
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 | 613 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 511 | 8.8% |
| 60-90k | 110 | 10.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 266 | 6.4% |
| 2022 | 254 | 10.6% |
| 2023 | 253 | 6.3% |
| 2024 | 242 | 9.1% |
| 2025 | 241 | 7.5% |
What to check before buying a 2017 i8
On a 2017 i8, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.9% 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 (2.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.3% 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
How many 2017 BMW i8s pass their MOT?
92.0% of the 1,256 2017 BMW i8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 BMW i8?
Tyres, recorded in 4.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.1%).
Does the 2017 i8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 10.9% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,256 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.