BMW I3 common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used BMW I3, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 69,022 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
Pick the year
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
What usually goes wrong with a BMW I3?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2013–2016 · Range extender (REx) models
Fuel vapour line fire-risk recall (range extender)
Range extender cars built between 17 September 2013 and 30 December 2016 were recalled because a fuel tank vent line could rub on the battery terminal and leak vapour, with a fire risk in extreme cases.
At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.
- Cars registered 2013–2022 · All versions
Charging port and cable faults
Owners report problems with charging ports and cables.
At the viewing: Plug it in and check it starts charging, with both the cable and the car's port in good order.
- Cars registered 2013–2022 · Range extender (REx) models
Range extender engine faults
Engine faults and warning lights are a common complaint on range extender models.
At the viewing: Make sure no warning lights show, and ask whether the range extender has had work.
- Cars registered 2015–2016 · All versions
Regenerative braking software recall
A small number built between 9 October and 4 November 2015 needed a software update because strong regenerative braking could make the rear slide on slippery roads.
At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.
Common BMW I3 MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Wheels
up to 4.2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Rough price £70–£150 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Headlight aim
up to 2.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Rough price £20–£60 our estimateAt the viewing: Park facing a wall at night or in a garage and check both headlight beams sit level. Aim is a cheap adjustment.
BMW I3 MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2014 BMW I3 did best (82% passed first time, 12 points above all 2014 cars) and the 2022 did worst (88%, 1 point below all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a BMW I3
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Has the fuel vent line recall been done?
- Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 4.2× as often on the BMW I3 as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the headlight aim? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the BMW I3 as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a BMW I3?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score