2016 BMW i3 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 81.8% of BMW i3s first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. Across 6,463 i3 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, lamps and electrical equipment and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).
This page analyses first MOT tests for BMW i3s first used in 2016 (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 2016 BMW i3 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, i3s first used in 2016 against all cars first used in 2016 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the i3 figure was 6.9 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2016 i3 | All cars first used 2016 | i3 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 89.7% | 82.7% | 2,163 |
| 2022 | 86.6% | 80.9% | 2,175 |
| 2023 | 86.8% | 78.6% | 2,147 |
| 2024 | 84.8% | 76.7% | 2,157 |
| 2025 | 81.8% | 74.9% | 2,159 |
Common 2016 BMW i3 MOT failures
Share of the 1,003 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 | 12.2% | 122 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 11.8% | 118 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 10.9% | 109 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | 8.2% | 82 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 6.7% | 67 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an i3 in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2016 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.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- 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.
Common 2016 BMW i3 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2016 i3s, as a share of all 6,463 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 14.7% | 952 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 14.1% | 910 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 9.8% | 636 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 5.7% | 366 |
| Road wheel condition: slightly distorted | 3.5% | 228 |
Questions about the 2016 BMW i3 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2016 BMW i3?
In 2025, 81.8% of i3s first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2016 i3 most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 35.9% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (24.7%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (23.1%). The single most common item was “Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm” (12.2%).
How often does a 2016 BMW i3 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 18.2% of first tests on i3s first used in 2016 did not pass first time: 14.6% failed, and a further 3.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,003 of 6,463 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2016 BMW i3 MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 14.7% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (14.1%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (9.8%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (5.7%) and “Road wheel condition: slightly distorted” (3.5%).
Is a 2016 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 89.7% in 2021 to 81.8% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2016
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2016 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2016 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2016 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2016 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2016 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2016 i3?
The numbers above cover every i3 first used in 2016 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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