BMW i8 (2020)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 178 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,853

£154/month

MOT Pass Rate

96%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1499cc Hybrid

Great Choice

96% pass rate, £1,853/year to run. 14 points above average.

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Hybrid1499cc6 years old178 tests16k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 1499cc)

~42 mpg (petrol-engine estimate; hybrids usually use less)

£1,398

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,853

Per month£154/mo

Per week£36/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

96% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the BMW brand average of 88%.

96% of MOT tests on BMW i8s from 2020 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 4 years old. That's based on 178 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 16,078 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2020 models364th of 2,554(top 15%)

Rank among BMW models142nd of 1,548(top 10%)

vs average of all models+14%(82% avg)

vs 2020 models average+4%(92% avg)

vs BMW average+8%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

16,078

Average miles

29,600

Expected for age

The average 2020 BMW i8 had 16,078 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 96%, while the 2018 model has the lowest at 92%. The 2020 scores 96%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

2018 · 1991cc Hybrid

£2,086/year

90%

-6%

Toyota Yaris

2018 · 1349cc Hybrid

£1,853/year

91%

-5%

MINI Cooper S

2019 · 1499cc Hybrid

£1,853/year

92%

-4%

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

2019 · 1997cc Hybrid

£2,086/year

94%

-2%

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About the 2020 BMW i8

The 2020 BMW i8 is a premium car. Our records list a 1499cc hybrid engine, though engines vary between versions. 178 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 15% of all 2020 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 16,078 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, BMW i8 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2020 BMW i8 Fuel Costs

The 1499cc hybrid engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Our estimate uses around 42 mpg, the figure for a petrol engine of this size, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). As a hybrid it should use less than that, and real-world fuel costs depend a lot on how much electric-only driving you do.

What does it cost to own a 2020 BMW i8?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,853 (£154/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 96% 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 point.

Buying a Used 2020 BMW i8

At 6 years old, the BMW i8 offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 96%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Hybrid Battery Health

Medium risk

After 6 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

Low 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.

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 2020 BMW i8 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
BMW i8(2020)	96%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853
Mercedes C(2018)	90%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,086+£233
Toyota Yaris(2018)	91%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£1,853same
MINI Cooper S(2019)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853same
Land Rover Range Rover Sport(2019)	94%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,086+£233

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2020 BMW i8

Is the 2020 BMW i8 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 96% of MOT tests on 2020 BMW i8s ended in a pass, from 178 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2020 BMW i8 cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,853 a year (£154 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2020 BMW i8?

96% of 178 MOT tests on the 2020 BMW i8 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 364th of 2,554 models first registered in 2020 (top 15%).

Which year BMW i8 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 BMW i8 has the highest MOT pass rate at 96% and the 2018 the lowest at 92%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2020 BMW i8?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2020 BMW i8 is 16,078 miles, which is below the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.