2015 BMW I3 0.6L Hybrid electric (clean) · DM13 TAR

With five passed tests and no failures on record across roughly eight years of MOT testing, the i3 presents a roadworthiness history free of advisories relating to structural corrosion, brake component wear, or major mechanical defects. The most recent examination on 10 February 2026 returned a clean pass with no advisories, continuing a stable trend that suggests the vehicle has consistently met minimum statutory requirements. However, four of the eight recorded tests carry advisories, and these cluster around two specific areas: front tyre edge wear and front shock absorber condition. While none of these rose to the level of failure, their recurrence indicates components that may be approaching or have already exceeded their intended service life at the time of those tests. At 140,046 miles over an eleven-year period, the i3 has accumulated mileage at approximately 12,731 miles per year, which is well above the national average and places significant demands on consumable components and the high-voltage drivetrain. The mileage progression appears relatively consistent across the testing intervals, with no obvious gaps that would suggest extended periods off the road. A gap between the January 2023 test and the December 2021 test indicates the vehicle was either not submitted for testing in 2022 or the record reflects the compressed testing cycle that applied during that period. The high annual mileage combined with the vehicle's age means that items not specifically captured in MOT testing, such as the battery pack state of health, electric motor bearings, suspension bushes, and interior trim condition, warrant close personal inspection. For a prospective buyer, the recurring front tyre wear advisories from January 2023 and January 2025, both noting edge wear specifically on the nearside front and in 2023 also on the offside front, suggest the suspension geometry, wheel alignment, or steering components may be contributing to uneven tread degradation. On a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, pay particular attention to steering pull or vibration through the wheel, and inspect the inner and outer edges of the front tyres for feathered or stepped wear patterns. The 2024 advisory regarding light oil misting on the nearside front shock absorber is an early indicator of seal degradation, and although it did not require immediate replacement at the time, shock absorbers with misting often progress to more significant leakage within twelve to twenty-four months. On inspection, look for fresh oil residue around the shock body and piston rod, and during the test drive, evaluate body control over bumps and speed humps, noting any continued bouncing after hitting uneven surfaces which would suggest damping efficiency has reduced. Given the high mileage and the electric drivetrain specifics of this model, the MOT history alone cannot verify the condition of the high-voltage battery, which is the single most expensive component. Buyers should seek independent battery health diagnostics showing state of health as a percentage of original capacity. Additionally, check the rear suspension subframe and trailing arms for corrosion, as the i3's aluminium chassis and distinctive rear architecture can mask structural issues not visible from standard inspection angles. Listen during the test drive for any whining from the electric motor under acceleration and deceleration, and verify that the charging system operates correctly on both AC and DC sources. The combination of a clean MOT record with no structural or brake-related advisories is a positive indicator, but the mileage level demands thorough verification of the powertrain and battery systems that fall outside the scope of standard roadworthiness testing.