Volkswagen ID.3 review - Reliability and safety
The ID.3 comes with the latest safety kit as standard, while reliability needs to be top-notch
The ID.3 was awarded the maximum five-star crash safety rating after it was tested by Euro NCAP in 2020. Adult and child occupants were deemed to be well protected with scores of 87 and 89 per cent, respectively, while the ID.3’s raft of active safety equipment was recognised with a Safety Assist score of 88 per cent.
Standard safety kit includes a driver fatigue alert system, dynamic traffic sign display, Lane Assist, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors for the front and rear, and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with cyclist and pedestrian monitoring. Like all electric cars, the ID.3 also emits an artificial noise at low speeds to warn cyclists and pedestrians of its presence.
More driver-assistance tech is available, though. The optional Driver Assistance Pack includes Park Assistance Plus, a reversing camera and a proactive passenger protection system, which detects an emergency manoeuvre being made and prepares the seat belts in advance of any collision. The Driver Assistance Pack Plus also adds an area-view camera set-up, lane change assist and Volkswagen’s semi-autonomous Travel Assist system. You can also get an augmented-reality head-up display if you add one of the Interior Comfort Packs.
We can’t imagine Volkswagen is pleased that none of its ID. range of electric cars managed to make it onto our list of the best cars to own, which is based on the results of the most recent Driver Power owner satisfaction survey. That said, Volkswagen is represented in the 75-strong list by the T-Cross and T-Roc small SUVs, Polo supermini and Tiguan SUV, although the German manufacturer finished in a disappointing 27th place (out of 32) in the best car manufacturers – down from 17th place in 2022.
Warranty
Volkswagen provides a three-year/60,000-mile warranty on all its cars, with separate cover for the ID.3’s battery for up to eight years or 100,000 miles. The ID.3 also benefits from three years of roadside assistance, whereas other Volkswagen cars are limited to 12 months.
Servicing
The ID.3 should follow a fixed servicing schedule, with a basic inspection after two years (unlimited mileage) and subsequent services every year or 20,000 miles. Volkswagen offers service plans for the ID.3 to help spread the cost of scheduled maintenance.