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Used car guide
Used BMW i3: the years to buy and the years to skip
Every BMW i3 from 2014 to 2021: what each year typically sells for (about $8,500 to $12,000), its crash rating, and whether it's a year to target or skip. The best bets are 2014–2021.
2014–2021 BMW i3
A quirky carbon-fiber city EV with rear-wheel drive, a tight turning circle, coach doors and an airy cabin.
Years to target: 2014–2021. It has an average reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | $8,500 | Target | Not rated | ~100,000 |
| 2015 | $9,000 | Target | Not rated | ~95,000 |
| 2016 | $10,000 | Target | Not rated | ~85,000 |
| 2017 | $10,500 | Target | Not rated | ~80,000 |
| 2018 | $10,500 | Target | Not rated | ~70,000 |
| 2019 | $11,000* | Target | Not rated | ~60,000 |
| 2020 | $11,500* | Target | Not rated | ~55,000 |
| 2021 | $12,000* | Target | Not rated | ~45,000 |
* Estimated from nearby years, since few were listed for sale.
Worth knowing
- Early cars have short range, the range-extender version adds complexity, and skinny tires make it twitchy in crosswinds and snow.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for a 2017 or later car with the 94 Ah battery, or ideally a 2019 or later 120 Ah car with about 150 miles of range; the i3s adds power and sportier suspension.
On the test drive
Have the battery capacity checked by a dealer or scan tool, since early cars have very short range. Ask for a battery health report, and compare the range shown at full charge with the original rating.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: optional from 2014, never standard in this generation.
- Adaptive cruise control: optional from 2014, never standard in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: not standard in this generation, so check the listing.
Find one near you
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Prices are typical dealer and private asking prices from used listings, collected in September and October 2026, for an average-mileage car. Years with too few listings are estimated from nearby years. Crash ratings, recalls and owner complaint counts come from NHTSA public records. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy. Spot something off? Let us know.