BMW i8 MOT pass rate and common failures
In 2025, 89.8% of BMW i8 MOT tests were a first-time pass, across 2,142 tests in Great Britain. For all cars it was 71.5%.
Compared with cars of the same age
Older cars fail more often, so a model that’s mostly a few years old will look better than one that’s mostly 12. These figures compare like with like.
At 3–5 years
94.4%
All cars: 86.1% (8.3 points better). 161 tests.
At 6–10 years
89.2%
All cars: 76.1% (13.1 points better). 1,915 tests.
At 11 years and over
–
Too few tests at this age to say.
Pass rate by age
Figures by age, with typical mileage
| Age (years) | Tests | First-time pass | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 161 | 94.4% | 84.5% | 16,250 miles |
| 6 | 315 | 89.8% | 81.9% | 26,250 miles |
| 7 | 297 | 89.6% | 79.3% | 36,250 miles |
| 8 | 310 | 89.0% | 76.3% | 43,750 miles |
| 9 | 479 | 88.9% | 73.1% | 46,250 miles |
| 10 | 514 | 88.9% | 70.0% | 48,750 miles |
Typical mileage is the median reading at the test, to the nearest 2,500 miles.
What fails most often
The share of BMW i8 MOT tests that failed on at least one item in each area, against all cars. A test can fail on several areas at once.
| Area | i8 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 6.5% | 8.4% |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.0% | 0.4% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2.0% | 16.6% |
| Visibility | 1.9% | 5.2% |
| Brakes | 1.3% | 10.2% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.0% | 4.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.7% | 4.0% |
| Road wheels | 0.6% | 0.5% |
Most common reasons for failing
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm failed 4.4% of tests
- Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements failed 1.9% of tests · what this means
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords failed 1.2% of tests
- Headlamp aim: too high failed 1.0% of tests · what this means
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively failed 0.9% of tests · what this means
- Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt failed 0.8% of tests
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick failed 0.7% of tests · what this means
- Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction failed 0.7% of tests · what this means
- Side repeaters: not working failed 0.5% of tests
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid failed 0.4% of tests · what this means
Checking a particular i8?
See its own MOT history, mileage record and advisories in plain English. Free, no sign-up.
About these figures
- They cover every i8 version DVSA records under this name (engines, trims and generations together), on its first MOT test of each visit. A “pass with rectification” (fixed within an hour) counts as a fail, as in DVSA’s own statistics.
- Cars under three years old are left out, because the few tested that young are mostly taxis.
- Fuel mix of the cars tested: hybrid electric (clean) 100.0%, petrol 0.0%.
- A pass rate describes the model, not any one car. How a car has been looked after matters more.
Download these figures (CSV) · Other BMW models · All makes
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data for 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Our own analysis; not produced or endorsed by DVSA.