Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Morio, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Morio, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Four-seat electric micro-city car, twin of the Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-Zero, rated 4 stars by Euro NCAP in 2011. Its small 16 kWh battery limits real-world range, and its condition must be checked before buying. The vacuum pump for the brake servo has been the subject of several recalls: check that they have been carried out.
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Indicative prices
- €3,500 – €8,000
- Monthly cost
- €186
- Euro NCAP
- 4/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: i-MiEV 16 kWh.
i-MiEV 16 kWh
✓ RecommendedElectric · Automatic · 67 hp · 16.6 kWh/100 km · Crit'Air green
16 kWh gross battery (14.5 kWh usable according to EVKX), 160 km of range on the NEDC cycle according to Automobile Propre. Home charging in about 6 hours, CHAdeMO fast charging as standard.
i-MiEV S
Electric · Automatic · 69 hp · Crit'Air green
Version sold in France from March 2016 to May 2018 according to L'Argus, 0 to 100 km/h in 15.9 s and 130 km/h top speed (Auto-Sélection).
Market prices
€3,500 – €8,000
Indicative range: 2011 to 2017, all mileages, asking prices of online listings (private sellers and dealers, Europe).
Collected on 13 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Battery: faulty cell and loss of range
Severity 2/3 · CostlyOn the C-Zero twin, battery failures have been documented, in one case requiring the replacement of a faulty cell (cell transplant). Citroën put the cost of replacing the complete pack at 13,000 euros excluding VAT, excluding labour, for a C-Zero, with no pack in stock. A thorough diagnosis is worthwhile: in another case the fault was in the contactor rather than the battery.
- Versions
- i-MiEV 16 kWh, i-MiEV S
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Brake servo vacuum pump
Manufacturer recallThe vacuum pump that powers the brake servo has been the subject of several recall campaigns covering the i-MiEV, iOn and C-Zero trio. If it fails, the brake assistance is lost and stopping distances increase. In France, a letter from October 2020 warned of a pump that may not conform; in the United States, water could enter the pump and corrode it (2020 recall). Have the VIN checked with the dealer network.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- i-MiEV 16 kWh, i-MiEV S
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Mitsubishi i-MiEV”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Electricity | €37 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €63 |
| Maintenance | €28 |
| Depreciation | €58 |
| Total per month | €186 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Insurance: average for a closely related model (other generation or same platform).
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Maintenance: budget of a closely related model.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Electricity€37
i-MiEV 16 kWh version: combined consumption of 16.6 kWh/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 0.194 €/kWh, for 1,000 km a month.
16.6 × 1.15 × 0.194 € × 10 = €37
Electricity price: EDF regulated Base tariff, home charging (as of 7 October 2026).
- Insurance€63
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€28
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€58
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Mitsubishi i-MiEV I — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Have the battery tested by an independent workshop: the dashboard indications do not reflect its real health (RPM Web).
- Using the VIN, check with a dealer that the brake vacuum pump recalls have been carried out.
- Measure the real range during a test drive and compare it with your daily journey.
- Test charging from a domestic socket and on CHAdeMO fast charging, and watch for any interruption in charging.
- Check there is no fault shown on the dashboard and ask for the servicing invoices.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the brake vacuum pump recall been carried out? Can you prove it?
- Has the battery been tested or replaced (or a cell changed)? Is there a state-of-health report?
- What range do you actually get in normal use, in summer and in winter?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
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Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Renault Zoe
I (2012-2024, facelifted in 2019) · 2012–2024
- Price
- €6,000 – €19,000
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Electric
Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Renault Twingo
III (2014-2024, facelifted in 2019) · 2014–2024
- Price
- €5,890 – €12,299
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Electric
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Peugeot 108
I · 2014–2021
- Price
- €6,000 – €9,100
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Mitsubishi i-MiEV I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Euro NCAP rating of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV?
4 stars in February 2011. The Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-Zero, which share the same design, received the same rating (Automobile Propre).
What is the boot capacity of the i-MiEV?
166 litres according to L'Argus and Auto-Sélection, for a length of 3.48 m.
What is the range of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV?
It is homologated at 160 km on the NEDC cycle according to Automobile Propre. This figure is theoretical: measure the real range during your test drive.
Found a listing?
Soon, we will analyse your Mitsubishi i-MiEV listing: price, mileage, watch points.
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