Is the 2016 BMW I8 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of BMW I8s from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 1,359 tests. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2016 BMW I8 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,657 (£138/month), including £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 BMW I8?

The 2016 BMW I8 has a 94% MOT pass rate based on 1,359 tests in 2026. This ranks 91 out of 586 cars from 2016.

Which year BMW I8 is most reliable?

The 2019 BMW I8 has the highest MOT pass rate at 96%. The least reliable year is 2018 at 92%.

BMW I8 (2016)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2016 BMW I8?

The average mileage for a 2016 BMW I8 is 47,474 miles, which is below the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-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 1,359 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,657

£138/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1499cc Hybrid

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £1657/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Hybrid1499cc10 years old1,359 tests47k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 1499cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1499cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,657

Per month£138/mo

Per week£32/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

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

At 10 years old, 94% of BMW I8s from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,359 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 47,474 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars91th of 586(top 16%)

Rank among BMW models250th of 1,564(top 16%)

vs national average+12%(82% avg)

vs 2016 cars average+9%(85% avg)

vs BMW average+6%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

47,474

Average miles

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 BMW I8 has 47,474 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-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 2019 model with a 96% MOT pass rate, while the 2018 model has the lowest at 92%. The 2016 sits between the two at 94%.

BMW I8 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2020	96%	178	16,078 mi
2019	96%	695	18,062 mi
2018	92%	1,017	30,978 mi
2017	94%	805	39,912 mi
2016	94%	1,359	47,474 mi
2015	93%	1,877	49,217 mi
2014	93%	658	48,849 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MERCEDES C

2017 · 1991cc Hybrid

£1,922/year

89%

-5%

TOYOTA YARIS

2018 · 1349cc Hybrid

£1,582/year

91%

-3%

AUDI Q3

2016 · 1400cc Hybrid

£1,572/year

87%

-7%

TOYOTA C-HR

2018 · 1797cc Hybrid

£1,772/year

90%

-4%

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About the 2016 BMW I8

The 2016 BMW I8 is a premium with a 1499cc hybrid engine. 1,359 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It ranks in the top 16% of all 2016 cars for reliability.

With an average of 47,474 miles at 10 years old, BMW I8 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2016 BMW I8 Fuel Costs

The 1499cc hybrid engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current hybrid prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). As a hybrid, real-world fuel costs will vary significantly depending on how much electric-only driving you do.

What does it cost to own a 2016 BMW I8?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,657 (£138/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

BMW I8 Reliability Trend

The BMW I8 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2016 BMW I8

At 10 years old, the BMW I8 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 96%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2016 BMW I8's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Hybrid Battery Health

Watch out

After 10 years, hybrid battery capacity may have reduced. A full replacement costs £2,000-£4,000, though reconditioning is cheaper at £500-£1,500.

Inverter and Power Electronics

Medium risk

The inverter converts DC to AC for the electric motor. Failures are expensive (£1,500+) but relatively rare. Listen for unusual buzzing sounds.

Regenerative Braking

Medium risk

Brake discs can corrode from reduced use (the electric motor handles most braking). Surface rust is normal but deep pitting needs attention.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

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 2016 BMW I8 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
BMW I8(2016)	94%	£1137	£265	Grp 12-25	£1657
MERCEDES C(2017)	89%	£1327	£190	Grp 18-32	£1922+£265
TOYOTA YARIS(2018)	91%	£1137	£190	Grp 8-20	£1582-£75
AUDI Q3(2016)	87%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1572-£85
TOYOTA C-HR(2018)	90%	£1327	£190	Grp 18-32	£1772+£115

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.