BMW I3
Registered from 2013 to 2022.
About this model
The BMW i3 is a high-roof, five-door, four passenger B-segment hatchback electric car manufactured and marketed by BMW from 2013 to 2022 as BMW's first mass-produced zero emissions vehicle — launched as part of BMW's electric vehicle BMW i sub-brand. Its electric powertrain uses a rear-wheel drive configuration with a single-speed transmission and an underfloor lithium-ion battery pack with an optional range-extending petrol engine.
From the Wikipedia article BMW i3 (hatchback), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2020 electric. 317 of 4,508 tests failed, 7%.
Better than 66% of 2020 cars. The typical one fails 8%, across 906 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 72% | 229 |
| Lights and electrics | 19% | 59 |
| Visibility | 10% | 33 |
| Plates and identity | 2% | 7 |
| Brakes | 2% | 5 |
| Seat belts and airbags | 2% | 5 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 72% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Lights and electrics — 19% of its failures
- A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Visibility — 10% of its failures
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 60–80k miles this one fails 9% of its inspections, against the 14% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 5% | 5% | 2,668 | |
| 20–40k miles | 10% | 10% | 1,562 | |
| 40–60k miles | 12% | 13% | 242 | |
| 60–80k miles | 9% | 14% | 32 |
4,504 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have under 20k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | electric · 101 hp · 1345 kg · 2570 mm wheelbase · 157 Wh/km |
| 2020 | electric · 101 hp · 1345 kg · 2570 mm wheelbase · 157 Wh/km |
| 2019 | electric · 1320 kg · 2570 mm wheelbase · 155 Wh/km |
| 2018 | 0.6 hybrid · 106 hp · 1440 kg · 2570 mm wheelbase · 1.4 L/100km (WLTP) · 118 Wh/km |
| 2017 | 0.6 hybrid · 84 hp · 1432 kg · 2572 mm wheelbase · 0.6 L/100km (NEDC) · 115 Wh/km |
| 2016 | electric · 1292 kg · 2570 mm wheelbase · 129 Wh/km |
| 2015 | electric · 1270 kg · 2570 mm wheelbase · 129 Wh/km |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/0092/16
The power electronics have not been calibrated properly which might increase the recuperation torque during the vehicle's deceleration. In this case, the vehicle might skid in slippery road conditions.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00976/22
The micro gas generator inside the seat belt retractor may not have been manufactured to specifications. This may lead to an impairment of the restraint function in case of an accident, increasing the risk of injury. Moreover, there may be spark formation in case of a pressure release outside of the inflator damaged tube, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01039/20
A rollover detection sensor inside the airbag control unit might be defective. Consequently, in the event of an accident in which the vehicle tips over its roof, the airbag might not properly deploy, increasing the risk of injuries of the passengers.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01450/22
Faulty production of high-voltage batteries may lead to that high voltage cell modules can overheat, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01785/21
The screws which were used to assemble seatbelts and also on the rear seats of the vehicles concerned may not have been manufactured in accordance with specifications. In some cases, the screws in question cannot withstand extreme loads, which could increase the risk of injury in the event of an accident. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users