BMW i3 (2013-2022) reliability & safety rating
Crash safety is good for occupants, and BMW ranks well for reliability in customer surveys
| Euro NCAP | Adult protection | Child protection | Safety assist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 stars (2013 – rating expired) | 86% | 81% | 55% |
Euro NCAP awarded four stars out five to the BMW i3 when it was crash-tested, but the weaknesses were around pedestrian safety and not the protection afforded to occupants. The test was conducted back in 2013, however, and the rating expired in January 2020, so the i3's score is no longer directly comparable to those of more recently introduced and tested models.
BMW i3 reliability & problems
The i3 sold in too few numbers to make it into the 2022 edition of the Driver Power customer satisfaction survey as a standalone model. BMW came a reasonable 16th out of 29 manufacturers rated in the survey for overall customer experience and reliability. In spite of its futuristic appeal, the running gear of the electric i3 is quite a lot simpler than a conventional internal-combustion-engine car, with fewer moving parts, so it should prove more reliable than a petrol or diesel car.
Accident damage can be tricky and expensive to fix, however, due to the expensive materials used in its production. In October 2020, aftermarket warranty provider WarrantyWise released data that showed that the i3 was had a repair percentage of 18% against all of its active warranties – lower than the best-performing internal-combustion BMW on its books, the BMW 1 Series.
Safety
The BMW i3’s four-star Euro NCAP rating (achieved in 2013) was disappointing, but it wasn't down to any concerns over how occupants are protected in a crash. Adult protection was rated at 86% and protection for children at 81%, but pedestrians don’t come off terribly well, with the i3 rated at 57% for how it protects them.
The safety kit list on the i3 includes six airbags and electronic stability control, too. However, you need to pay an extra £800 for the Driver Assistance Plus package. It’s a worthwhile addition, though, as it gives you adaptive cruise control and traffic-jam assist, which steers and brakes for you at low speeds.