CarCostCheck

BMW I3 (2013)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 239 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,380

£115/month

MOT Pass Rate

87%

Good

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

647cc Hybrid

Solid Option

87% pass rate, £1380/year to run. 5 points above average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific BMW I3

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Hybrid647cc13 years old239 tests61k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 647cc)

~50 mpg

£955
Road Tax

Based on 647cc

£20
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,380
Per month£115/mo
Per week£27/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this BMW I3

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

87% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 13 years old, 87% of BMW I3s from 2013 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 239 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 60,737 miles.

Got a BMW I3 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2013 cars215th of 626(top 34%)
Rank among BMW models1023th of 1,564(top 65%)
vs national average+5%(82% avg)
vs 2013 cars average+7%(80% avg)
vs BMW average-1%(88% avg)

Mileage Analysis

60,737

Average miles

vs

96,200

Expected for age

The average 2013 BMW I3 has 60,737 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 96,200 miles for a 13-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific BMW I3?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2022 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 2013 model has the lowest at 87%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

BMW I3 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202294%40620,847 mi
202193%6,80719,684 mi
202093%7,80225,168 mi
201993%7,67632,266 mi
201892%5,87940,834 mi
201790%5,68351,552 mi
201688%3,85255,666 mi
201587%3,53860,342 mi
201489%2,38464,192 mi
201387%23960,737 mi

Check a Specific Bmw I3

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2013 BMW I3

The 2013 BMW I3 is a premium with a 647cc hybrid engine. 239 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2013, the average MOT pass rate is 80%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 60,737 miles at 13 years old, BMW I3 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2013 BMW I3 Fuel Costs

The modest 647cc hybrid engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a premium. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £955 per year at current hybrid prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). As a hybrid, real-world fuel costs will vary significantly depending on how much electric-only driving you do.

What does it cost to own a 2013 BMW I3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,380 115/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 87% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

BMW I3 Reliability Trend

Newer BMW I3s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 5 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2013 BMW I3

At 13 years old, the BMW I3 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2013 BMW I3's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Hybrid Battery Health

Watch out

After 13 years, hybrid battery capacity may have reduced. A full replacement costs £2,000-£4,000, though reconditioning is cheaper at £500-£1,500.

Inverter and Power Electronics

Medium risk

The inverter converts DC to AC for the electric motor. Failures are expensive (£1,500+) but relatively rare. Listen for unusual buzzing sounds.

Regenerative Braking

Medium risk

Brake discs can corrode from reduced use (the electric motor handles most braking). Surface rust is normal but deep pitting needs attention.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Related Bmw Models

Explore other Bmw cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Bmw I3.

Check a specific BMW I3

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a BMW I3? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB