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BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE vs Ford Mustang Mach-E: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Ford Mustang Mach-E carries less risk than the BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE: 32/100 versus 34/100 (both moderate risk). The BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Defective cells in the high-voltage battery of the i3 from 2018 to 2021»; the Ford Mustang Mach-E has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «High-voltage battery contactors overheating: loss of power».

Risk index

BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE

34

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

Ford Mustang Mach-E

32

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

16 sourcesHow we work

Is the BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE reliable?

The sources consulted record no faults in the i3's electric motor or its power electronics, apart from a small 2019 campaign. What is documented is charging (charger and port, in owner testimonies) and a 2022 recall for defective cells in the 2018–2021 battery. Always ask for proof of that campaign.[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE faults

Is the Ford Mustang Mach-E reliable?

The Mach-E's electrical system has one documented weak point in Europe: the high-voltage battery contactors, which overheat and can cause a loss of power. Ford first fixed it with software (2022) and then by replacing the battery junction box (2023). No motor or battery faults have been published in Europe beyond that.[4][5][6]

See the of the Ford Mustang Mach-E fault

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE and Ford Mustang Mach-E
BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SEFord Mustang Mach-E
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelElectricalElectrical
Displacement——
Timing——
Power170–184 hp268–487 hp
Production2013–2022[7][8][9]since 2021[10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)34Moderate risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults31
Of high or critical severity11
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Defective cells in the high-voltage battery of the i3 from 2018 to 2021
  2. Medium severity: Failure of the on-board charger and the charging port on the i3
  3. Medium severity: Motor electronics board (EME) built out of specification
  1. High severity: High-voltage battery contactors overheating: loss of power
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • i3 22 kWh gross battery (60 Ah) (2013–2017)[1][13]
  • i3 and i3s 33 kWh gross battery (94 Ah) (2016–2018)[2][13]
  • i3 and i3s 42.2 kWh gross battery (120 Ah) (2019–2022)[2][3]
  • Mini Cooper SE F56, 135 kW motor (2020–2024)[3][8]
  • Standard Range, 75.7 kWh battery, 269-329 hp (2021-2025)[4][5]
  • Extended Range, 98.8 kWh battery, 276-375 hp (2021-present)[14][15]
  • GT, 98.8 kWh battery, 487 hp (2021-present)[14][16]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Other comparisons

With the BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE

With the Ford Mustang Mach-E

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Tous les problèmes sur BMW i3 2013 (testimonios de propietarios y llamadas a revisión)fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  2. BMW i3 (2018 – 2021): EV/Hybrid, firecar-recalls.eu · Other source · published 22 October 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026
  3. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisión (R/2019/289, R/2022/322)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 30 October 2026
  4. Rückruf Ford Mustang Mach-E: Hochvolt-Batterieauto motor und sport · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  5. Ford Mustang Mach-E: battery switch overheats after recall (KBA 013267)car-recalls.eu · Other source · published 19 December 2023 · consulted 30 October 2026
  6. Fiabilité Ford Mustang Mach-E: pannes et avisfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  7. BMW i3 (hatchback)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  8. Mini Cooper SEWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  9. Mini ElectricWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  10. Ford Mustang Mach-E 1. Generation: ModellvariantenADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  11. Ford Mustang Mach-E reviewDrive (antes Honest John) · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026
  12. Ford Mustang Mach-EWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  13. BMW i3 reliabilityAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026
  14. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Probleme mit dem HochvoltschützÖAMTC · Consumer association · published 28 December 2023 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  15. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Rückruf wegen Leistungsverlustfuturezone.at · General press · published 20 October 2023 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  16. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Rückruf wegen überhitzender Hochvoltbatterieecomento.de · Motoring press · published 24 June 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German