Used BMW i3 2013-2022 review
It may be one of the older electric cars, but the BMW i3 still looks futuristic and has a stunning interior. The range is limited, though.
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What's the used BMW i3 like?
Ownership cost
Our recommendations
Alternatives
Reliability
Mark Pearson
Updated: 10 October 2025
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What's the used BMW i3 like?
Provided they fit into your lifestyle, a used electric car is an exciting and bang-on-trend proposition. The only problem is some of the older examples haven't been terribly exciting to look at, though, often being based on rather humdrum conventionally powered models or being deliberately a tad conservatively styled.
Enter this BMW i3, launched in 2013 and on sale until 2022, which looked and still looks as futuristic on the outside as the electric tech it hides underneath, with a distinctly eye-catching shape and rear-hinged back doors.
Overview
The 2013-2022 BMW i3 remains a striking electric car with a futuristic design and a stylish interior. Available in multiple battery sizes, it offers a decent range, though older models may feel rather limited. While fun to drive, its firm ride and practicality can be compromised by a high boot floor and rear access issues.
Pros
- Futuristic design still turns heads today
- High-quality interior with modern technology
- Range-extender option reduces range anxiety
Cons
- Limited range compared with newer EVs
- Firm ride quality on larger wheels
- Access to rear seats can be awkward
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33kWh Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (170 ps)
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£6,485
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Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr (Range Extender)
£6,495
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In fact, it uses what are still state-of-the-art construction techniques, too, including super-light carbonfibre and aluminium, to offset the inevitable weight of the battery pack that’s mounted beneath its floor.
Power options: The standard electric-only i3 is available now on the used market in three different flavours: early examples had a 60Ah, 22.6kWh battery pack and a mere 80 miles of range; 2017 introduced the bigger 94Ah, 33kWh pack that increased the usable range, and finally, there was an even bigger 120Ah, 42.2kWh battery pack installed in 2019 that improved the range further still.
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There was also a range-extender version available from launch and discontinued in 2017. This had a two-cylinder petrol engine that acted as a generator when the battery is depleted, effectively banishing range anxiety.
Trims and equipment: The main trim level comes with plenty of equipment: sat-nav, heated front seats, rear parking sensors, climate control, a digital radio, a USB socket, Bluetooth, and automatic lights and wipers are all fitted as standard. We’d recommend adding the upgraded Professional sat-nav system with its larger screen, however, along with the Loft interior, which includes lighter cabin materials with blue highlights to help brighten the interior.
The i3s version benefits from all the standard kit on the i3, plus 20in sports wheels, an additional Sport driving mode, an A-pillar and roof painted in high-gloss black, a more aggressive front bumper, a black kidney grille and, most importantly, sports suspension.
Ride and handling: It can be fun to drive, though. The later 2019-on i3 produces a pretty healthy 168bhp, enough to whisk you up to 62mph in 7.3sec and making it a doddle to keep up with fast-moving traffic. The i3s is even faster thanks to an extra 13bhp and feels extremely nippy around, hitting 62mph from a standstill in just 6.9sec.
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A brisk turn of speed from a dead stop is highly addictive, and the handling is pretty secure, though in fairness in that area it’s not to be compared with BMW’s more sporty mainstream products. Its ride is a little firm, especially on 20in wheels, and most of its more modern rivals ride better. If you can afford to do so, look for an i3 from 2018 onwards because these cars received suspension alterations that did wonders for improving ride comfort.
Interior and practicality: It’s pretty up-to-date inside, too, with an airy interior, excellent visibility and a pin-sharp screen display in front of the driver, rather than conventional dials. Even the coach doors seem like a futuristic feature; however, they can be annoying to use because the front door must be opened first before you open the rear ones, and the high floor means that access to the back seats can be a bit restrictive.
The boot is also compromised since the floor is quite high to accommodate the batteries and, in some of those earlier versions, the range-extender engine housed beneath it, so overall volume is no better than that of a regular small car.
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Page 1 of 5
Tips & Advice
Make sure you’re insured for the test drive
Short-term car insurance – also called test-drive insurance – will ensure you’re legal when you’re shopping for your next car
Ownership cost
What used BMW i3 will I get for my budget?
The starting point for a used i3 is around £4000, at the time of writing. This will get you an early model with an average to high mileage. Upping the wedge to between £5000 and £8000 will earn you a 2016 or 2017 model, including the range-extender version, with the same criteria. Once you’re in the realms of £10,000 to £12,000 you’re looking at good 2018 cars, with a low to average mileage, while £12,000 to £16,000 or more should hook you up with a 2019 car with the larger battery pack, or a good condition 2020/2021 model. The last 2022 cars should cost you around £20,000.
Check the value of a used BMW i3 with What Car? Valuations
Find a used BMW i3 for sale here
How much does cost to run a BMW i3?
Efficiency
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Obviously, in terms of motive juice, it should cost you very little, although electricity prices have, of course, risen sharply recently – we reckon it should cost around £25 (based on a rate of 34p per kWh in our Real Range tests) in electricity to charge up the i3 fully.
The range extender has a slightly reduced electric range but a higher official overall one, as measured under the older NEDC tests, of 186 miles, although this will be a lot less on the road.
The standard electric-only i3 is available now on the used market in three different flavours: early examples had a 60Ah, 22.6kWh battery pack and 80 miles of range; 2017 introduced the bigger 94Ah, 33kWh pack that increased the usable range to 121 miles, and finally, there was an even bigger 120Ah, 42.2kWh battery pack installed in 2019 that improved the range further still to 165 miles. Officially, the post-2019 and more powerful i3s can manage 175 miles while the regular i3 can do 181 miles. However, BMW says 160 miles is more realistic, and our own real range tests seem to bear this out.
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Our recent real-range test of a ten-year-old i3 produced a range of just 64 miles. Our tests suggested the battery was working at about 85% of its original power. We estimate it would have gone around 10 miles more if the battery had been at full scratch. The efficiency of the i3's small battery was still high, though, at 4 miles per kWh.
A full battery charge takes eight hours from a domestic plug socket, but a faster-charging Type 2 wallbox can cut that to less than three hours. BMW offers its own charging unit, but it’s bulky and expensive; other 32A solutions offer the same charging speed and a more compact design for less than half the price (there are government schemes to help you with this, too). The i3 also gets a fast-charging, 50kWh capability and a DC cable as standard; this can give you an 80% charge in just 42 minutes.
Road tax
Road tax should be free for most i3s registered before 1 April 2017, but you'll need to pay the reduced flat-rate fee for anything registered after this point. Find out more about the current road tax costs here.
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Servicing
BMW offers fixed-price servicing on used i3s, with a variety of plans available and a number of different ways to pay, including direct debit. The i3’s battery is covered by an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty as standard.
Reliability
The i3 is generally reliable, according to our annual What Car? Reliability Survey, but owners reported some recurring faults.
Issues with the charging system, including ports and cables, affected battery performance, while range extender models were prone to engine faults and warning lights.
BMW dealerships received mixed feedback. While some praised the professionalism of the staff, others were frustrated by high repair costs, delays due to limited parts, and a lack of proactive support.
The i3’s innovative design appeals, but reliability concerns and dealer experiences leave room for improvement. Learn more about the used BMW i3’s reliability on our dedicated page.
Page 2 of 5
Tips & Advice
How much does it cost to charge an EV
A dual-rate tariff can slash your home-charging bills by up to 70% if you charge overnight. There are environmental benefits, too
Organise your motoring life
Whether you need to keep tabs on your insurance renewal, sort breakdown cover, or book a service, My What Car? has you covered
Never miss a motoring date
Remembering to arrange insurance, book a service or buy breakdown cover can be a pain. Fortunately, My What Car? is here to help
Can I buy a car with cash?
Paying cash isn’t always an easy way to a new car – and you may not be able to get the big discounts you might expect
Charging an EV at home
You can charge your EV from a three-pin socket, but a home EV charger is faster and more convenient. Here are the best
Do I need to use public EV chargers?
Charging at home is almost always cheaper, but if you need a quick top-up, we have revealed the best charging networks
Protect your investment
GAP insurance allows you to get the full price for your car if it’s stolen or written off, but only a quarter of Brits buy it
Reduce your car finance bills
Refinancing your car effectively means taking out one loan to pay off another, which could help reduce your monthly payments, or reduce your finance term
What is hire purchase?
Hire purchase allows you to make monthly payments to buy your next car – although these will be higher than with a PCP
What is PCP finance?
Low monthly payments are key to the appeal of Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreements. But are there downsides?
Our recommendations
Which used BMW i3 should I buy?
We'd aim for a post-2019 model, if you can afford one, for the extra range and the better ride.
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If you’re still suffering from a bit of range anxiety – or if your i3 is going to be a bold choice as your only car – then the range-extender version could appeal. Its nine-litre fuel tank and small petrol engine add about 80 miles to the range, and give you the scope to keep on motoring without the need for a lengthy recharge.
Our favourite BMW i3: i3 EV
Page 4 of 5
Tips & Advice
Which smartphone integration should I have?
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fantastic – and free – technologies. Here we show you the benefits, drawbacks and best apps
Alternatives
What alternatives should I consider to a used BMW i3?
The 2011-2018 Nissan Leaf comes without the premium badge, but is not without its charms. It’s easy to drive, cheap to run and comfortable to travel in. There’s plenty of room for the family, too. Against that are the usual problems associated with some EVs – its range isn’t great, it takes a long time to charge and its range drops considerably in colder weather.
The 2014-2020 Volkswagen e-Golf is much more conventional in design than the i3, but it is one of the best electric cars on sale, thanks to its competitive range, decent equipment and excellent interior space and driving dynamics. Although some rivals are cheaper, and some offer a longer range, the Golf’s superior driving abilities and neat interior make it a winner.
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The 2017-2022 Kia e-Niro is a former overall What Car? Car of the Year winner, thanks to its 250-mile-plus real-world range. It's also good to drive, quick, practical and roomy. Used examples are still rather tricky to find, though.
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here
If you're interested in buying a used BMW i3, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classifieds site here.
Page 5 of 5
BMW i3 owner reviews
Sort by: Most Recent Star rating
Gordon
Bmw I3 0.6 hybrid
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing, Running costs
May 2, 2026 11:24 PM
Peter
Bmw I3 electric
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing, Running costs
Apr 2, 2026 4:56 PM
Just a brilliant car in every way. Every day I use this for a short commute and genuinely smile. It is a delight to drive and looks radically different and modern compared to most cars. The BMW I-drive is also fantastic way to navigate between options.
Lewis
Bmw I3 electric
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing, Running costs
Mar 22, 2026 8:20 PM
Love its quirkiness and quality. A lot of car fro the money. A great town or city car or a car for mostly local miles. So cheap to run. A future Classic!
How reliable is the BMW i3 ?
Reliability rating: 93.8%
BMW i3
Read reliability
Used cars available now
In partnership with
BMW i3
33kWh Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr (Range Extender)
£4,495
BMW i3
Auto 5dr
£4,695
BMW i3
33kWh Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr (Range Extender)
£5,890
BMW i3
33kWh Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (170 ps)
£5,989
BMW i3
Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr (Range Extender)
£6,399
BMW i3
Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr (Range Extender)
£6,485
BMW I3
Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr (Range Extender)
£6,495
BMW i3
Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr (Range Extender)
£6,500
BMW i3
Auto 5dr
£6,925
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: Mark Pearson
Title: Used cars editor
Follow Mark Pearson on
Mark Pearson has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years and is currently the used cars editor for What Car?.
Mark spent his formative years at the BBC, where, at various times, he scheduled, broadcast and archived television and radio programmes and researched, wrote and produced promotional material.
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