Is the 2018 BMW I3 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 92% of BMW I3s from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 5,879 tests. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2018 BMW I3 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £950 (£79/month), including £500 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 BMW I3?

The 2018 BMW I3 has a 92% MOT pass rate based on 5,879 tests in 2026. This ranks 226 out of 649 cars from 2018.

Which year BMW I3 is most reliable?

The 2022 BMW I3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%. The least reliable year is 2013 at 87%.

BMW I3 (2018)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2018 BMW I3?

The average mileage for a 2018 BMW I3 is 40,834 miles, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 5,879 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£950

£79/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

0cc Electric

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £950/year to run. 10 points above average.

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Electric0cc8 years old5,879 tests41k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Electric, 0cc)

£500

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£950

Per month£79/mo

Per week£18/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

92% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 8 years old, 92% of BMW I3s from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 5,879 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 40,834 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 cars226th of 649(top 35%)

Rank among BMW models448th of 1,564(top 29%)

vs national average+10%(82% avg)

vs 2018 cars average+3%(89% avg)

vs BMW average+4%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

40,834

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2018 BMW I3 has 40,834 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2022 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 2013 model has the lowest at 87%. The 2018 sits between the two at 92%.

BMW I3 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	94%	406	20,847 mi
2021	93%	6,807	19,684 mi
2020	93%	7,802	25,168 mi
2019	93%	7,676	32,266 mi
2018	92%	5,879	40,834 mi
2017	90%	5,683	51,552 mi
2016	88%	3,852	55,666 mi
2015	87%	3,538	60,342 mi
2014	89%	2,384	64,192 mi
2013	87%	239	60,737 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

TESLA MODEL 3 LONG RANGE AWD

2020 · 0cc Electric

£1,095/year

89%

-3%

JAGUAR I-PACE

2020 · 0cc Electric

£945/year

96%

+4%

TESLA MODEL 3 STANDARD RANGE +

2020 · 0cc Electric

£1,095/year

89%

-3%

TESLA MODEL 3 PERFORMANCE AWD

2020 · 0cc Electric

£1,095/year

87%

-5%

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About the 2018 BMW I3

The 2018 BMW I3 is a electric with a 0cc electric engine. 5,879 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 40,834 miles at 8 years old, BMW I3 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

What does it cost to own a 2018 BMW I3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £950 (£79/month), broken down as £500 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 92% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW I3 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW I3s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 5 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2018 BMW I3

At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 94%. With 5,879 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2018 BMW I3's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Battery Degradation

Watch out

After 8 years, expect some battery capacity loss. Check the battery health report for state of health (SoH). Below 80% significantly reduces range.

Charging Port

Medium risk

Charging connectors and ports can develop issues from regular use. Check both AC and DC charging work correctly before purchasing.

Software Updates

Medium risk

Older EVs may miss out on manufacturer software updates that improve range and features. Check the infotainment system is up to date.

12V Auxiliary Battery

Medium risk

EVs still have a standard 12V battery for accessories. These drain faster than in petrol cars and can leave you stranded if flat. Replacement is £100-£200.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2018 BMW I3 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW I3(2018)	92%	£500	£195	Grp 1-8	£950
TESLA MODEL 3 LONG RANGE AWD(2020)	89%	£500	£190	Grp 1-8	£1095+£145
JAGUAR I-PACE(2020)	96%	£500	£190	Grp 1-8	£945-£5
TESLA MODEL 3 STANDARD RANGE +(2020)	89%	£500	£190	Grp 1-8	£1095+£145
TESLA MODEL 3 PERFORMANCE AWD(2020)	87%	£500	£190	Grp 1-8	£1095+£145

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.