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BMW I3 (2018)

3,268 real MOT outcomes analysed • 90.4% first-time pass rate

2018 BMW I3

CarHunch analysed 3,268 real MOT records for the 2018 BMW I3. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Average reliability 10.4% above UK average
90.4%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
33,026
typical mileage
23,363–45,578 middle half
16.6%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.52
avg MOT failures per car
over 5.3 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2018 BMW I3

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a BMW I3

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Hybrid Electric (Clean) (63%) 2,070 91.7% 0.51
Electric (35%) 1,152 90.9% 0.55
Electric (1%) 46 13% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 2018 BMW I3 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

23,363
low mileage
33,026
typical
45,578
high mileage

Half of all 2018 BMW I3 vehicles fall between 23,363 and 45,578 miles.

2018 BMW I3 — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 2,988 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

2,971 2,988 2021 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.

MOT History Averages

5.3
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.52
Avg failures per vehicle
4
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2018 BMW I3

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 28.1%
    Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
  • 27.4%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 26.7%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 25.5%
    Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
  • 15.3%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 14.1%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 12.2%
    Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
  • 11.6%
    Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific BMW I3?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — BMW I3:

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2019 2020 2021 2022