BatteryCritical
Capacity differences between 60Ah, 94Ah and 120Ah cars
- Typically appears
- Any
- What to inspect
- Confirm the battery version and run a state-of-health check
- Typical repair
- Major mechanical repair · £800–£2,500
Is the 2013–2022 BMW i3 reliable?
Scored from 8 documented faults · reviewed by the VehicleFaults Research Team
Quick answer
2.4/ 10
Buy with cautionOn our documented-fault scoring the BMW i3 rates 2.4 out of 10 · buy with caution. We hold 8 known faults for it and 1 of them are rated critical and 4 high, so a bad example can be expensive. The weak points cluster around battery, engine and body. A well-serviced example with evidence for the big-ticket items is usually a safe buy; the score describes the model, not the specific car in front of you.
Verdict · Walk unless the history is spotless
What the score is built from
- Critical
- 1
- High
- 4
- Medium
- 2
- Low
- 1
Weak points cluster around battery, engine, body, suspension.
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Check this carThe faults that decide it
EngineHigh
Range extender fuel system faults from lack of use
- Typically appears
- Any
- What to inspect
- On REx cars, start the generator and check it runs cleanly
- Typical repair
- Fuel pump / fuel system · £400–£1,500
BodyHigh
Carbon body repair complexity after accident damage
- Typically appears
- Any
- What to inspect
- Check the history for accident repairs and inspect panel gaps
- Typical repair
- Body & corrosion repair · £250–£1,800
DrivetrainHigh
Rear end clunking under acceleration or regen braking due to sheared plastic motor mount brackets (primarily pre-2016 models).
- Typically appears
- 40,000-70,000 miles
- What to inspect
- Accelerate sharply to 15 mph and lift off abruptly to trigger heavy regen braking. Listen for a loud metallic clunk from the rear axle.
- Typical repair
- Significant repair · £400–£1,400
HVAC / Battery CoolingHigh
AC compressor failure, which can send metal swarf into the high-voltage battery cooling loop, causing catastrophic battery damage.
- Typically appears
- 50,000-80,000 miles
- What to inspect
- Set climate control to 'Lo' with max fan. Listen at the front bumper for loud mechanical whining and ensure vents blow ice-cold air within 60 seconds.
- Typical repair
- Air-con regas or compressor · £90–£900
Costs are indicative UK independent-garage bands for budgeting and negotiation · never a quote.
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