IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2014 BMW i8 (I12)

UK deliveries started in July 2014 at £99,845, and the i8 was an instant sell-out with a long waiting list. It was exempt from the London congestion charge and qualified for the £5,000 plug-in car grant until 2016.

What changed for 2014

  • •B38 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder plus 131PS electric motor, 362PS combined
  • •Carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic passenger cell and aluminium subframes
  • •Six-speed Aisin automatic, butterfly doors and laser headlights
  • •7.1kWh battery giving about 23 miles of official electric range

Common MOT watch-outs

  • !Uneven tyre wear and kerbed 20-inch alloys from the wide turning circle
  • !Corroded brake discs from low use and regenerative braking
  • !Underbody and sill damage to the carbon structure
3
Known Issues
0
Serious
3
Moderate
0
Minor

All Known Issues

Door Strut Failure

ModerateBodywork & Rust

The lightweight carbon-fibre and aluminium dihedral butterfly doors rely on high-pressure gas damper struts hidden within the front wings. Over time, gas pressure escapes, causing the doors to drop unexpectedly or feel excessively heavy to lift.

Est. Repair Cost: £200–£400
Warning Signs:

Door drops shut or fails to stay locked at its highest open detent, Noticeably heavy effort required to lift door upwards, Creaking or groaning sound from wing strut cavity during door movement

What to Inspect:
  • Open both doors on level ground and confirm they remain fully upright without sagging
  • Check gas struts inside front wing aperture for oil misting or leakage
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

REx Fuel Pressure Sensor

ModerateFuel System

The petrol fuel tank is pressurized and sealed to prevent petrol vapour emissions during pure EV driving. The electronic fuel tank pressure relief sensor or tank vent solenoid valve can fail, causing the iDrive system to lock the fuel filler flap closed.

Est. Repair Cost: £300–£600
Warning Signs:

"Preparing for refuelling: please wait" message hangs continuously on dash, Fuel filler flap remains locked and will not pop open at petrol stations, Check engine warning light with EVAP fuel tank pressure sensor fault codes

What to Inspect:
  • Press fuel flap release button next to driver footwell and verify flap pops open within 5 seconds
  • Check boot emergency pull cord release mechanism for fuel flap
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Steering Rack Knock

ModerateSteering

The lightweight electromechanical steering rack mounted to the front carbon-aluminium subframe develops internal clearance play between the steering rack bar and thrust piece, producing hollow metallic knocking over minor road imperfections.

Est. Repair Cost: £1,000–£2,000
Warning Signs:

Rattling or clunking feedback felt through steering wheel over cobbles and low-speed road ruts, Vague or loose on-centre steering response, Metallic knocking when rocking steering wheel side to side with engine off

What to Inspect:
  • Test drive over speed bumps and coarse asphalt listening for front-end hollow knocking
  • Inspect front steering tie rods and check if revised steering rack thrust piece bush has been fitted
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Buying Tips for 2014 BMW i8 (I12)

  • Check the iDrive battery menu for state of health before buying
  • Open both doors fully and confirm the gas struts hold them up
  • Ask for the Type 2 charging cable and confirm the car charges on AC
2015–2017
Check a 2014 BMW i8 (I12) by Registration