Known APK problem
BMW i i3: warning lights
On the BMW i i3 the APK inspector finds warning lights problems 11.3× as often as on cars of the same age: at 11–12 years 0.8%, against about 0.1% nationally.
Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026
What is it?
A warning light that stays on (for example ABS, airbag or engine fault) points to a fault that has to be read out first.
How to check it at the viewing
Switch on the ignition: all lights come on briefly and go out after starting. If one stays on, ask about the cause.
Ask the seller: Does a warning light ever come on, and has the fault been read out?
By age
Share of inspected BMW i i3s with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.
| Age | Type | i3 | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 – 10 years | C | 1.7% | 3.4% | 0.5× |
| 11 – 12 years | B | 0.8% | 0.1% | 11.3× |
| 11 – 12 years | C | 2.2% | 2.4% | 0.9× |
A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.
Comparable cars at 11–12 years
| Model | Warning lights | Vs. national |
|---|---|---|
| BMW i i3 | 0.8% | 11.3× |
| Toyota Prius III | 0.7% | 0.3× |
| Mercedes-Benz V-Klasse / Vito W447 | 6.1% | 2.5× |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212 | 4.5% | 1.8× |
Looking at a BMW i i3? Check that car
Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other BMW i i3s of the same age.
All weak spots of the BMW i i3 · Warning lights: which models more often · Checklist for this model
Frequently asked questions
Does the BMW i i3 often have warning lights problems?
Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 11–12 years the inspector found a warning lights defect on 0.8% of inspected BMW i i3s, against about 0.1% of all cars of the same age (11.3×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.
How do you check the warning lights on a used BMW i i3?
Switch on the ignition: all lights come on briefly and go out after starting. If one stays on, ask about the cause.
Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.
Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know