What are the most common problems with a 2016 BMW I8?

The biggest MOT weak spot is drive shaft (cv) joints: flagged on 3.5% of tests, 2.3× the rate for all 2016 cars.

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2016 BMW I8?

Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2016 BMW I8 as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2016 BMW I8: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the BMW I8 first registered in 2016: we looked at the 1,329 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,329MOTs of 2016 cars, done in 2023–2025

89%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 77%)

5,200typical miles a year

2.3×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 BMW I8?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 BMW I8 than on all cars registered in 2016.

Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual

BMW I8
3.5% All 2016 cars
1.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.9% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 5.3% here, against 13.2% of all 2016 cars. Brake discs: 4.1% here, against 11.8% of all 2016 cars.

Common 2016 BMW I8 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 BMW I8 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Tyres

23% of testsRough price £70–£150

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Brakes

8% of testsRough price £150–£350

At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

5% of testsRough price £15–£250

At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Driveshafts and joints

4% of testsRough price £60–£350

At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.
Lights and electrics

3% of testsRough price £10–£80

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Suspension

2% of testsRough price £120–£400

At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 BMW I8

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2016 BMW I8 as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a BMW I8?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the BMW I8 compared

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2020	207	Tyres 19%
2019	742	Tyres 22%
2018	1,085	Tyres 25%
2017	684	Tyres 25%
2015	1,886	Tyres 24%
2014	582	Tyres 21%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of BMW I8 cars first registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score