2021 · 3 years old at test · Electric mostly

2021 BMW i3 MOT pass rate and common faults

3,491 MOT tests in 2024. 87.5% passed first time, compared with 87.6% for all cars the same age.

100About average
Passed first time87.5%
Failed or needed repairs12.5%
Typical mileage at test18,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 3,491 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp aim: too high3.7%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.1%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.0%
    112 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.0%
    39 marked dangerous
  5. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.9%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.8%
    35 marked dangerous
  7. Side repeaters: not working0.6%
  8. Road Wheels - condition: badly distorted0.4%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Tyres6.7%
  2. Lights & electrics5.1%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.5%
  4. Wheels0.5%
  5. Seat belts & airbags0.2%
  6. Number plates & VIN0.2%
  7. Suspension0.1%
  8. Body & chassis0.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm12.6%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.3%
  3. Road Wheels - condition: badly distorted2.3%
  4. Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre2.3%
  5. Non-component advisories: Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.9%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: headlamp aim: too high. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2020 i3All i3 years

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 BMW i3?

In 2024, 87.5% of 2021 BMW i3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 3,491 tests. The average for all 3-year-old cars was 87.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2021 BMW i3?

The most common failure reasons were headlamp aim: too high; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2021 BMW i3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 100, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).