How to check the history of a used electric BMW before buying?

The vehicle’s history is crucial information for any buyer of a used electric car. In addition to publicly available data about the model and what the seller presents, it’s worth consulting experts. Read our advice before you buy an electric car.

What electric BMW models are available on the Polish market?

All electric and hybrid models produced by BMW are available on the Polish market at the moment. The i3 was the manufacturer’s first electric car, hence most used car offers are for this model. As the electrification of automobiles develops, other models will also appear on the used market.

All-electric BMW models

• i3
• i8
• iX3

BMW’s plug-in hybrid models

Series:

• 2 Active Tourer Plug-in Hybrid
• 3 Plug-in Hybrid
• 5 Plug-in Hybrid
• 7 Plug-in Hybrid

SUV models:

• X1 Plug-in Hybrid
• X3 Plug-in Hybrid
• X5 Plug-in Hybrid

MINI electric and hybrid models (part of the BMW Group)

• Mini Electric
• Mini Countryman Plug-in Hybrid

The hard laws of the market – the demise of the electric car fleet

Screaming news headlines may suggest that electric cars are doomed to failure. Especially if the item is about disruptive startups that have failed to withstand market pressure. Innogy Go introduced a fleet of all-electric i3s with a minute rental app, but recalculated the cost of servicing these cars.

Cars in carsharing or other forms of rental are much more heavily used than private cars. Very many drivers with different driving styles and regular use cause all components to wear out faster.

Any such situation results in fleet cars ending up on the used car market.

Why can the cost of servicing a used BMW electric car be higher than the cost of servicing a used combustion car?

Operating an electric vehicle should, by definition, be cheaper than an internal combustion vehicle. Fewer wear and tear items, no need to change the oil in the engine and many operating fluids, and brakes with a recuperative system that allow for much less wear and tear are just some of the parts we can save on.

However, the actual costs of servicing and especially repairing electric vehicles can be much higher than those of combustion vehicles. Still a small proportion of auto repair shops are able to service these vehicles to their full potential. Post-accident repairs of such vehicles require the use of original repair kits and specialized diagnostic equipment. The limited availability of such places is also the reason for higher prices for services.

What should you know about servicing electric cars?

Servicing BMW’s electric cars is just as simple as servicing existing combustion cars. The vehicle’s information system notifies us when it’s time to replace, for example, the brake fluid or brake pads, and when a component breaks down or wears out, we’ll need to repair it.

When choosing a service, it is necessary to make sure that the chosen service is capable of servicing an electric vehicle, and that it has the authorization and experience in this area. Our service BM Cars – has the necessary training and diagnostic equipment. Trying a cheap solution at a friend’s garage can end tragically not only for the vehicle, but also for the untrained mechanic. We wrote more about servicing electric cars in a separate post.

Is it possible to import an electric BMW from the US?

Importing electric vehicles from abroad is not significantly different from importing internal combustion vehicles. We have already described the purchase of vehicles from the US in our article – How to check a BMW from the US before buying and importing it to Poland?

The most important thing is to check the technical condition of the vehicle before deciding to buy and import. There are numerous offers of vehicles damaged after collisions and accidents. Buying such a vehicle without being aware of the costs involved in restoring or repairing it can be a big surprise.

Are the history statements of an electric and internal combustion vehicle different?

The vehicle history available in BMW’s central database includes entries made by BMW Authorized Service Centers and independent services that work with BMW – such as our BM Cars.

They include both maintenance activities triggered by the SI vehicle information system such as engine oil changes, air and cabin fuel filters, and brake pads and brake fluid. In addition to maintenance activities, the vehicle history also includes entries for vehicle repairs. The records in the history of an electric vehicle are no different from those of an internal combustion vehicle.

How to check the history of a BMW electric vehicle?

As a specialized BMW car service, we have access to BMW AG’s central database. We can check the recorded history of the vehicle on your behalf, download the statement in PDF form and provide our expert opinion.