BMW I8 (2019)
2019 BMW I8
CarHunch analysed 337 real MOT records for the 2019 BMW I8. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2019 BMW I8 passes its MOT first time in 76.5% of cases, sitting 3.5 percentage points below the UK average of 80%—a modest but noticeable reliability gap. With only 9.5% of vehicles ever showing a dangerous defect, safety isn't a widespread concern, though the slightly elevated failure rate suggests owners should expect occasional remedial work.
At just 15,112 miles median mileage for a five-year-old car, these I8s are genuinely low-mileage examples, which partly explains why failures average only 0.25 per vehicle. The 1.6 advisories per car point to minor wear items rather than systemic problems; when shopping, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the hybrid battery condition and cooling systems, as specialist repairs on electric powertrains tend to be expensive even if failures remain uncommon.
What to check before buying a 2019 BMW I8
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 I8
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Electric (Clean) (98%) | 331 | 76.1% | 0.25 |
| Electric (2%) | 6 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2019 BMW I8 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.
Half of all 2019 BMW I8 vehicles fall between 8,971 and 25,213 miles.
2019 BMW I8 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 241 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 96% of the peak.
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
Most Common MOT Issues — 2019 BMW I8
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
41.9%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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36%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
33%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
29.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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13.3%
Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
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12.3%
Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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10.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
-
10.8%
Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2019. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific BMW I8?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.