Used BMW i4 2021-present reliability
Category: Electric car
A thoroughly polished electric car, the BMW i4 is fast, comfortable and you'll see great distances between charges. Good value used, too.
What should I look for in a used BMW I4 hatchback?
Nothing out of the ordinary – do the usual visual checks of things like the wheels and tyres, as well as take it for a test drive if you can.
The i4 only achieved a four-star safety rating from Euro NCAP – it performed relatively well in the adult child occupant protection tests but underperformed in the safety assist section (for example, the automatic emergency braking system (AEB) failed to detect a pedestrian crossing a road into which the car was turning). The rival Mercedes EQE performed far better in this regard.
What are the most common problems with a used BMW I4 hatchback?
The i4 currently has several recalls attached to it.
One, involving 133 vehicles, describes a part of the battery not being installed correctly. The other also relates to the battery, stating a part of it might have been damaged during assembly – it has 211 vehicles associated with it.
These are fairly minor recalls, but if you believe your i4 to be involved, contact your local BMW dealer to have the issue resolved. Check with your local dealer on any other outstanding recalls and make sure all remedial work has been carried out.
Is a used BMW I4 hatchback reliable?
The BMW i4 came third out of 18 cars in the electric car class in our 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey with a good overall score of 95.5%. It was only beaten in the class by the Mini Electric and the Nissan Leaf.
However, as a brand, BMW ranked eighth out of 31 manufacturers featured with an overall score of 94%. This was an improvement on its recent results, putting it above rivals like Audi, Mercedes and Volkswagen, but below Honda, Suzuki and Toyota.
Used BMW i4 reliability: the owners' view
As part of our annual Reliability Survey, What Car? readers shared mixed experiences with the 2021-onwards BMW i4.
While many praised its mechanical reliability, some owners reported electrical and software-related faults. Issues with the infotainment system and driver assistance features were the most common, with some owners experiencing repeated warning lights or system glitches. A few also mentioned problems with charging-related components, though these were less frequent.
Feedback on BMW’s dealer network was varied. Some owners found their dealerships responsive and efficient, with software updates and repairs handled promptly. However, others reported long wait times for appointments and delays in obtaining replacement parts, particularly for electronic faults.
Overall, while the i4’s drivetrain appears solid, electrical and software issues have frustrated some owners. BMW’s dealer service, while generally competent, could be more consistent in resolving these problems efficiently.
