BMW i4 M50 Saved From 1.5mm Battery Death Sentence

A BMW i4 M50 with just 5,000 kilometers on the odometer was nearly subjected to an extremely expensive repair in Finland due to a tiny scratch on its battery pack that was just 1.5 millimeters deep. The car was denied registration during inspection due to the scratch, triggering concern over automaker tolerances and battery assessment procedures. 

According to Finnish garage owner Jesse Haapala, who took the EV in for examination, BMW’s limit for scratch depth is just 1.0 mm, making this one half a millimeter over. “That’s a tolerance that is far too small,” Haapala said, frustrated by the decision to reject an otherwise fully functional vehicle.

A scratch too far, at least until a closer inspection

Haapala, known in Finland for his EV expertise, decided to inspect the battery himself. He noted that the scratches were visually minor, yet the inspection reading suggested otherwise. Closer analysis revealed metal particles embedded in the scratches, which made them appear deeper than they actually were, according to CarUp.

After cleaning the surface and grinding off the particles, Haapala remeasured the damage and found that the deepest marks were only between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm, well within BMW’s official limit. There were no structural dents or signs of serious damage, and the battery appeared otherwise untouched.

BMW’s tight tolerances questioned

Had the scratches gone unchecked, the battery might have been unnecessarily replaced, which would have been a costly and wasteful move. Haapala emphasized the need for more accurate inspection techniques, especially when dealing with EV batteries. “Due to an incorrect measurement, the battery was almost doomed completely,” he said.

Haapala plans to re-register the BMW i4 M50, now that it meets official standards. He also hopes the incident sparks discussion around how EVs are assessed and how minor flaws can lead to major consequences if not properly evaluated.

Check out the video of the nearly doomed BMW i4 M50 below.

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