2016 BMW I3 hybrid: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 BMW I3 hybrid?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 BMW I3 hybrid than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Wheels4.8× usual
  BMW I3

  4.8% All 2016 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.3% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

Common 2016 BMW I3 hybrid MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 BMW I3 hybrid MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  31% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  15% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  9% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Suspension
  5% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2016 BMW I3 hybrid

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Fuel vapour line fire-risk recall (range extender)

  Range extender (REx) models

  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.

  Source: What Car?: BMW i3 (2013-2022) reliability

• Regenerative braking software recall

  All versions

  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.

  Source: What Car?: BMW i3 (2013-2022) reliability

• Charging port and cable faults

  All versions

  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.

  Source: What Car?: BMW i3 (2013-2022) reliability

• Range extender engine faults

  Range extender (REx) models

  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.

  Source: What Car?: BMW i3 (2013-2022) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 BMW I3 hybrid

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the fuel vent line recall been done?
2. Any recent work on the wheels? (Flagged at MOT 4.8× as often on the 2016 BMW I3 hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?