Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2017 BMW I3?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2017 BMW I3?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2017 BMW I3?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2017 BMW I3 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 3,389 vehicles, the 2017 BMW I3 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 91.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2017 BMW I3?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2017 BMW I3 are: Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (28.1% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (27.4% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (26.7% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2017 BMW I3?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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BMW I3 (2017)

3,389 real MOT outcomes analysed • 91.1% first-time pass rate

2017 BMW I3

CarHunch analysed 3,389 real MOT records for the 2017 BMW I3. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2017 BMW i3 is a genuinely reliable choice, passing its MOT first time in 89.7% of cases—nearly 10 percentage points above the UK average of 80%. The hybrid-electric version performs slightly better at 90.8% pass rate compared to the pure electric at 87.4%, though neither raises major concerns; the 18.8% dangerous defect rate sits just below the worry threshold, so structural and safety issues aren't a widespread pattern here.

At around 40,000 miles median, these cars show typical mileage for their age, suggesting owners are using them normally rather than rack-racking them. The relatively low 0.68 average failures per vehicle and fairly high 5.8 advisories per vehicle points to a car that's mechanically sound but picks up minor wear items—exactly what you'd expect from an ageing city runabout. When shopping for one, check the service history carefully and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the battery condition and any electrical gremlins, which often surface in advisories on electric vehicles.

The 2017 BMW I3 passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (91.1%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

91.1%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

18.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.68

Over 6.6 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

40k

Middle half: 28k–55k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 91.1% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 5.8 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 3,389 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 3,389 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 28.1%

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 10%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 7.7%

COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION · Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view

Lighting 5.4%

Nearside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2017.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 3,389 BMW I3 cars.

Before you buy a 2017 BMW I3

Based on MOT data from 3,389 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 18.8% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Hybrid Electric (Clean) (70%)	2,387	90.8%	0.72
Electric (29%)	998	91.7%	0.61

Colour Breakdown

Based on 27,652 BMW I3 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 24.9%

6,883

Blue 20%

5,519

Grey 19.9%

5,513

Black 19.5%

5,392

Silver 8.5%

2,348

Red 4.5%

1,239

Orange 1.5%

408

Beige 0.6%

166

Gold 0.6%

160

Multi-colour 0%

Bronze 0%

Purple 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2017 BMW I3 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

39,929

typical

28,153

low mileage

55,002

high mileage

Half of all 2017 BMW I3 vehicles fall between 28,153 and 55,002 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 28,153 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 28,153–55,002 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2017 BMW I3s sit.

⚠ Over 74,252 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2017 BMW I3 — Still on the Road

Almost all 2017 BMW I3s are still on the road.

Strong survival — 3,055 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 97% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

6.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.68

Avg failures per vehicle

5.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — BMW I3: All I3 years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2017 BMW I3 stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?