Study Finds Used Electric Cars More Reliable at High Mileage
A new UK study of 47.4 million MOT road-safety tests found that high-mileage electric cars are significantly less likely to fail than petrol equivalents. The data could help used-car dealers address buyer concerns about EV reliability as mileage rises. The MOT test does not cover battery health or remaining capacity.
The UK analysis examined 47.4 million MOT road-safety tests and was commissioned by BVRLA, with New AutoMotive conducting the research. MOT checks cover brakes, tires, suspension, steering, and lights, but not battery condition or remaining capacity. At 20,000–40,000 miles, battery EVs and petrol cars failed at nearly the same rate: 12% versus 11.7%.
After 60,000 miles, petrol and diesel failure rates continued climbing, while EV rates leveled near 16%. Between 90,000 and 120,000 miles, 16.5% of EVs failed versus 22.1% of petrol cars; above 120,000 miles, 16.0% versus 23.5%. The study also found 94.6% of EVs returned for a 15-year MOT, compared with 88.1% of petrol cars.
This finding could reassure used-car shoppers who worry that higher mileage means costly repairs, potentially making pre-owned EVs more attractive. Dealers may use the data to counter reliability doubts, which could support resale demand and help lower-income buyers access electric vehicles. However, because MOT tests exclude battery health, buyers may still need separate battery checks before purchase. That caveat could temper the study’s practical impact.