2019 BMW i8 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,097 MOT tests on the 2019 BMW i8 are in this dataset, and 93.3% of them passed. That is 3.3 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 10.0%. Failures cluster in tyres, other defects and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.5%) and other defects (2.2%) 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 43 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 17.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.5% | 38 |
| 2 | Other defects | 2.2% | 24 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.1% | 12 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.8% | 9 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.6% | 7 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.1% | 1 |
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 | 43 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 40 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 4 | Wipers | 8 |
| 5 | Washers | 4 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 3 |
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 | 17.7% | 194 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.1% | 34 |
| 3 | Other defects | 1.9% | 21 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.8% | 20 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.1% | 1 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.1% | 1 |
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 | 892 | 5.5% |
| 30-60k | 194 | 12.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 277 | 7.2% |
| 2023 | 284 | 7.8% |
| 2024 | 249 | 6.0% |
| 2025 | 262 | 6.5% |
What to check before buying a 2019 i8
On a 2019 i8, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.5% 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.
- Other defects (2.2% of tests): Miscellaneous items not in the main categories. Typical repair: varies.
- Visibility (1.1% 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 2019 BMW i8s pass their MOT?
93.3% of the 1,097 2019 BMW i8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 BMW i8?
Tyres, recorded in 3.5% of tests, followed by other defects (2.2%).
Does the 2019 i8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.5% in the 0-30k band to 12.4% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,097 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.