2015 BMW i3 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 82.1% of BMW i3s first used in 2015 passed their MOT first time, against 71.9% for all cars first used in 2015. Across 5,735 i3 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) and lamps and electrical equipment.
This page analyses first MOT tests for BMW i3s first used in 2015 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2015 BMW i3 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, i3s first used in 2015 against all cars first used in 2015 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the i3 figure was 10.2 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2015 i3 | All cars first used 2015 | i3 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 87.6% | 79.7% | 1,995 |
| 2022 | 86.5% | 77.8% | 1,940 |
| 2023 | 86.1% | 75.5% | 1,933 |
| 2024 | 82.4% | 73.5% | 1,915 |
| 2025 | 82.1% | 71.9% | 1,887 |
Common 2015 BMW i3 MOT failures
Share of the 944 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 12.6% | 119 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 12.3% | 116 |
| SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault | 11.9% | 112 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | 10.8% | 102 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 9.7% | 92 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2015 BMW i3 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
Common 2015 BMW i3 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2015 i3s, as a share of all 5,735 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 14.6% | 840 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 14.1% | 810 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 11.1% | 638 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 6.2% | 357 |
| Road wheel condition: slightly distorted | 3.0% | 173 |
Questions about the 2015 BMW i3 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2015 BMW i3?
In 2025, 82.1% of i3s first used in 2015 passed their MOT first time, against 71.9% for all cars first used in 2015. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2015 i3 most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 33.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (27.0%) and lamps and electrical equipment (20.0%). The single most common item was “Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm” (12.6%).
How often does a 2015 BMW i3 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 17.9% of first tests on i3s first used in 2015 did not pass first time: 15.2% failed, and a further 2.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 944 of 5,735 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2015 BMW i3 MOT advisories?
“Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (on 14.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (14.1%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (11.1%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (6.2%) and “Road wheel condition: slightly distorted” (3.0%).
Is a 2015 BMW i3 reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 87.6% in 2021 to 82.1% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2015
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2015 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2015 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2015 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2015 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2015 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2015 i3?
The numbers above cover every i3 first used in 2015 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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