BMW i3 2013 to 2022
2013 to 2022
Based on 2 sources, each with its own reference date
No documented known problems found. That does not mean the car is problem free
Key points to know
- Insurance loss
3 results · IIHS/HLDI, data up to and including 2022
Recalls
Our EU Safety Gate feed only goes back to 17 July 2026
We could not check NHTSA for this model
No recall found in EU Safety Gate, checked up to and including 2022
Safety rating
American crash test (NHTSA)
No safety rating found at NHTSA SafetyRatings, checked through 2022
Insurance loss
Compared with the US average. Not a chance of defects
IIHS/HLDI loss index: i3 electric station wagon
According to IIHS/HLDI, the "all coverages combined" loss index for i3 electric station wagon is 92. Basis 100 is the US national average for all passenger cars under this coverage. Note: this is an index figure or rating class, an insurance statistic about the whole model. It is not a chance of defects and not a prediction for this car.
IIHS/HLDI loss index: i3 electric station wagon
According to IIHS/HLDI, the "all coverages combined" loss index for i3 electric station wagon is 94. Basis 100 is the US national average for all passenger cars under this coverage. Note: this is an index figure or rating class, an insurance statistic about the whole model. It is not a chance of defects and not a prediction for this car.
IIHS/HLDI loss index: i3 electric station wagon
According to IIHS/HLDI, the "all coverages combined" loss index for i3 electric station wagon is 94. Basis 100 is the US national average for all passenger cars under this coverage. Note: this is an index figure or rating class, an insurance statistic about the whole model. It is not a chance of defects and not a prediction for this car.
Inspection statistics for these model years
- 3 to 5 years: 3,095 inspections
- 6 to 8 years: 1,566 inspections
- 9 to 11 years: 564 inspections
3 to 5 years: 3,095 inspections
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 83 of the 3095 Czech inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Visibility
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 54 of the 3095 Czech inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Identification of the vehicle
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 16 of the 3095 Czech inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 13 of the 3095 Czech inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Show more age groups (2)
6 to 8 years: 1,566 inspections
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 63 of the 1566 Czech inspection data, age 6-8 yr.
Official inspection point: Visibility
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 43 of the 1566 Czech inspection data, age 6-8 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 17 of the 1566 Czech inspection data, age 6-8 yr.
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 17 of the 1566 Czech inspection data, age 6-8 yr.
Official inspection point: Chassis and chassis attachments
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 14 of the 1566 Czech inspection data, age 6-8 yr.
9 to 11 years: 564 inspections
Official inspection point: Visibility
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 24 of the 564 Czech inspection data, age 9-11 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 21 of the 564 Czech inspection data, age 9-11 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 17 of the 564 Czech inspection data, age 9-11 yr.
- 3 to 5 years: 11,132 inspections
- 6 to 8 years: 5,376 inspections
- 9 to 11 years: 1,175 inspections
3 to 5 years: 11,132 inspections
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 1177 of the 11132 British MOT statistics, age 3-5 yr.
Show more age groups (2)
6 to 8 years: 5,376 inspections
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 763 of the 5376 British MOT statistics, age 6-8 yr.
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 449 of the 3478 British MOT statistics, age 6-8 yr.
9 to 11 years: 1,175 inspections
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 230 of the 1175 British MOT statistics, age 9-11 yr.
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 556 of the 2903 British MOT statistics, age 9-11 yr.
- 3 to 5 years: 5,045 inspections
- 6 to 8 years: 4,271 inspections
- 9 to 11 years: 3,141 inspections
- 12 to 14 years: 227 inspections
3 to 5 years: 5,045 inspections
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 789 of the 5045 Dutch inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 313 of the 5045 Dutch inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Visibility
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 153 of the 5045 Dutch inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 24 of the 5045 Dutch inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Show more age groups (3)
6 to 8 years: 4,271 inspections
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 734 of the 4271 Dutch inspection data, age 6-8 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 308 of the 4271 Dutch inspection data, age 6-8 yr.
Official inspection point: Visibility
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 141 of the 4271 Dutch inspection data, age 6-8 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 47 of the 4271 Dutch inspection data, age 6-8 yr.
Official inspection point: Other equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 10 of the 4271 Dutch inspection data, age 6-8 yr.
9 to 11 years: 3,141 inspections
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 570 of the 3141 Dutch inspection data, age 9-11 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 194 of the 3141 Dutch inspection data, age 9-11 yr.
Official inspection point: Visibility
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 96 of the 3141 Dutch inspection data, age 9-11 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 59 of the 3141 Dutch inspection data, age 9-11 yr.
12 to 14 years: 227 inspections
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 42 of the 227 Dutch inspection data, age 12-14 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 18 of the 227 Dutch inspection data, age 12-14 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 13 of the 227 Dutch inspection data, age 12-14 yr.
Official inspection point: Visibility
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 11 of the 227 Dutch inspection data, age 12-14 yr.
- 3 to 5 years: 1,891 inspections
- 6 to 8 years: 8,173 inspections
- 9 to 11 years: 2,844 inspections
6 to 8 years: 8,173 inspections
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 2148 of the 8173 Norwegian inspection data, age 6-8 yr.
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 1573 of the 8173 Norwegian inspection data, age 6-8 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 640 of the 8173 Norwegian inspection data, age 6-8 yr.
Official inspection point: Chassis and chassis attachments
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 171 of the 8173 Norwegian inspection data, age 6-8 yr.
Official inspection point: Visibility
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 122 of the 8173 Norwegian inspection data, age 6-8 yr.
Show more age groups (2)
3 to 5 years: 1,891 inspections
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 222 of the 1891 Norwegian inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 96 of the 1891 Norwegian inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 71 of the 1891 Norwegian inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
Official inspection point: Visibility
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 23 of the 1891 Norwegian inspection data, age 3-5 yr.
9 to 11 years: 2,844 inspections
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 772 of the 2844 Norwegian inspection data, age 9-11 yr.
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 616 of the 2844 Norwegian inspection data, age 9-11 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 327 of the 2844 Norwegian inspection data, age 9-11 yr.
Official inspection point: Chassis and chassis attachments
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 170 of the 2844 Norwegian inspection data, age 9-11 yr.
Official inspection point: Steering
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 82 of the 2844 Norwegian inspection data, age 9-11 yr.
9 to 11 years: 369 inspections
Official inspection point: Lighting and electrical equipment
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 32 fail items across 369 Finnish inspection data, age 9-11 yr.
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels and suspension
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 29 fail items across 369 Finnish inspection data, age 9-11 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking systems
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 28 fail items across 369 Finnish inspection data, age 9-11 yr.
Official inspection point: Test drive and visibility
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 16 fail items across 369 Finnish inspection data, age 9-11 yr.
Official inspection point: Environmental nuisance
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 14 fail items across 369 Finnish inspection data, age 9-11 yr.
See the inspection statistics for all generations of i3
Go to i3Inspections by country and age
This table shows, per age, how many cars of this model fail inspection, by country. An index of 100 is that country's average for that age.
| Age | Netherlands | United Kingdom | Czechia | Ireland | NO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-5 years | 21.9% failed (1103 of 5045) | 10.6% failed (1177 of 11132) | No data | Too few inspections | 19.3% failed (365 of 1891) |
| 6-8 years | 24.6% failed (1050 of 4271) | 13.7% failed (1212 of 8854) | No data | 27.1% failed (61 of 225) | 42.8% failed (3496 of 8173) |
| 9-11 years | 25.5% failed (802 of 3141) | 19.3% failed (786 of 4078) | No data | Too few inspections | 48.7% failed (1384 of 2844) |
| 12-14 years | 32.2% failed (73 of 227) | No data | No data | No data | Too few inspections |
Czechia only counts serious defects, severity B or C. The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Norway count every inspection with a real defect.
Finland is not in this table. Finland counts defect points, not cars with a defect.
Buyer knowledge and checklist
Before you buy: the inspection requirement in this country, plus a checklist for the test drive.
Periodic inspection: APK (Algemene Periodieke Keuring, the Dutch periodic roadworthiness test): from 2 to 8 years old: every 2 years; diesel: annually from the first test onwards; other fuels: annually from 8 years old
Read the guideFrequently asked questions
What are the known problems with a BMW i3 2013 to 2022?
Insurance loss: 3 results (IIHS/HLDI, data up to and including 2022). Each point is worked out below with its source and reference date.
Which defects are found most often at inspection for a BMW i3?
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension. Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 42 of the 227 Dutch inspection data, age 12-14 yr. Dutch inspection data, data up to and including 13/09/2026. More age groups and categories are available in the inspection statistics on this page.
Where does this data come from?
CZ STK (data up to and including 03/07/2026), DVSA MOT-statistiek (data up to and including 2025), NHTSA Manufacturer Communications (data up to and including 2022), IIHS/HLDI (data up to and including 2022), GDV Typklassenverzeichnis (data up to and including 2024), Dutch inspection data (data up to and including 13/09/2026), Norwegian inspection data (data up to and including 31/12/2025), Finnish inspection data (data up to and including 31/12/2025). Every fact here has its own source and reference date.