Common problems by part
BMW i8 body and structure problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 1,720 MOT tests · Updated
At 7 years, 1.2 in 100 MOT tests of the BMW i8 failed on body and structure, against 1.3 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 1,720 MOT tests) [1].
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- Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 20 MOT tests with a fail
- By age: seen at 4 ages from 6 to 9 years, 5,846 MOT tests
- MOT tests at 7 years: 1,720 for the BMW i8
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
1.2 fails per 100 MOT tests at 7 years, against 1.3 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 7 (all test years). That is about average.
Why it matters
A body and structure fail stops the car passing until it is fixed.
What to check
Look under the sills, jacking points and rear subframe for rot, bubbling or fresh underseal over a repair, and check every door, bonnet and boot shuts properly.
BMW i8 body and structure fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 1,323 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| 7 | 1,720 | 1.2 | 1.3 |
| 8 | 1,527 | 0.9 | 1.8 |
| 9 | 1,276 | 1.6 | 2.3 |
All first-use years of the BMW i8 pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.
What fails in the body and structure at 7 years
Advisories (not fails)
- Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot severely deteriorated: 1.7 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.5. Drive shaft constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (MOT minor defect)
Buying a BMW i8? Check that exact car before the viewing.
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- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
How to check on a test drive
Look under the sills, jacking points and rear subframe for rot, bubbling or fresh underseal over a repair, and check every door, bonnet and boot shuts properly.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot severely deteriorated.
Check one BMW i8, not the average
The figures here describe BMW i8 cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check a BMW i8's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.
Other BMW i8 problems
Body and structure on rival models
- Volkswagen Scirocco body and structure problems: 0.3 per 100 MOT tests at 7 years, against 1.2 for the BMW i8 (16,244 MOT tests)
- Mazda MX-5 body and structure problems: 0.2 per 100 MOT tests at 7 years, against 1.2 for the BMW i8 (15,956 MOT tests)
- Jaguar F-Type body and structure problems: 0.1 per 100 MOT tests at 7 years, against 1.2 for the BMW i8 (8,042 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the BMW i8 have more body and structure problems than other cars?
1.2 in 100 MOT tests at 7 years, against 1.3 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 1,720 MOT tests).
How common are BMW i8 body and structure problems?
1.2 in 100 MOT tests at 7 years failed on body and structure, against 1.3 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 1,720 MOT tests).
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 5,846 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare