BMW I3 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 871 MOT tests from 136 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every BMW I3 has the same fault.

BMW I3's have a extremely good reliability rating of 808/999. The score was calculated from the average of every BMW I3 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, and CO2 emissions for the BMW I3.

BMW I3 (example)

Check a BMW I3 before you buy

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	882/999Excellent	79,662 miles	1,359 vehicles
N/A	N/A	779/999Very good	71,952 miles	1,147 vehicles
N/A	N/A	762/999Very good	71,520 miles	1,412 vehicles

How reliable is the BMW I3?

Based on 871 MOT tests from 136 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

136

MOT tests

871

Pass rate

88.5%

Median mileage

47,567 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every BMW I3 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 855 out of 999.

Common BMW I3 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 275 advisory comments and 33 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE SLIGHTLY DAMAGED/CRACKING OR PERISHING (5.2.3 (D) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 45 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 16 advisory comments and 2 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore MOT data includes 6 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: FRONT REGISTRATION PLATE DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE SPECIFIED REQUIREMENTS (0.1 (D))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 4 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: FRONT WINDSCREEN WASHER PROVIDES INSUFFICIENT WASHER LIQUID (3.5 (A))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 3 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS A SERIOUS FLUID LEAK (5.3.2 (B))

BMW I3 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2022	20	40	92.5%	Tyre wear
2021	8	27	85.2%	Tyre wear
2020	15	73	84.9%	Tyre wear
2019	17	94	91.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2018	20	118	89%	Tyre wear
2017	14	115	85.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	17	145	89.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	8	81	86.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	16	164	90.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used BMW I3

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.
Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Buying a BMW I3?

Common problems tell you what can affect BMW I3s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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