A massive analysis of 47.4 million UK MOT tests reveals that electric vehicles become more durable than petrol counterparts once they surpass 60,000 miles. while combustion engines see rising failure rates, battery-electric models maintain a steady performance plateau.
The 16% failure rate plateau at 60,000 miles
The relationship between mileage and vehicle reliability changes significantly once an electric vehicle (EV) crosses the 60,000-mile threshold.. According to an analysis of 47.4 million MOT tests commissioned by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), the failure rate for battery-electric vehicles levels off at approximately 16 per cent. In contrast, the failure rates for both petrol and diesel vehicles continue to climb as they accumulate more miles.
This stability suggests that the mechanical components of EVs do not deteriorate at the same accelerating rate as internal combustion engines . while lower mileages show little difference between the two types of vehicles, the divergence becomes a defining characteristic of the high-mileage market.
A 7.5 percentage point durability advantage at 120,000 miles
As vehicles reach extreme mileage, the reliability gap between powertrains widens significantly. The study, carried out by the independent transport research organisation New AutoMotive, found that once cars exceed 120,000 miles, the EV failure rate remains steady at 16 per cent, while petrol cars hit a 23.5 per cent failure rate. This represents a substantial 7.5 percentage point advantage for electric models in terms of roadworthiness.
Hybrid vehicles also showed strong performance within the data. for instance, the failure rate for hybrids was recorded at 11.8 per cent, which outperformed both the 13.5 per cent failure rate for fully electric vehicles and the 21.4 per cent rate for petrol cars in certain categories.
The unmeasured variable of battery capacity
A significant question remains regarding the actual long-term utility of these high-mileage vehicles. While the MOT ensures mechanical roadworthiness, the current testing framework does not measure battery health or remaining capacity. This creates a critical unknown for consumers:a vehicle may pass its annual mechanical test while possessing a battery that has significantly degraded in range.
Because the DVSA testing process does not currently include battery health metrics, the "durability" reported in these findings is strictly mechanical. Whether a high-mileage EV remains practical for daily use depends on a factor that the current MOT system is not equipped to verify.
Why 94.6% of 15-year-old EVs remain on the road
The longevity of electric vehicles is also reflected in their continued presence on UK roads. The study found that electric vehicles stay on the road at roughly double the rate of combustion vehicles when tracking subsequent MOT returns. Specifically, at the 15-year age mark, 94.6 per cent of electric cars returned for their next test, compared to only 88.1 per cent of petrol cars.
This implies a much lower "road-exit" rate for EVs, which includes vehicles being scrapped or exported. Even as electric vehicles record higher median annual mileage than petrol cars at every age examined between four and 16 years, they appear to remain in service longer.
Toby Poston's challenge to the mileage deterrent
The shift toward electric mobility relies heavily on the accessibility of the second-hand market. Toby Poston, chief executive of the BVRLA, argues that high mileage has traditionally acted as a psychological barrier for used car buyers . However, he suggests that this research indicates a need to rethink how we perceive aging electric vehicles.
As many EVs entering the used market have previously served in company or leasing fleets, they often arrive with substantial mileage already on the clock.. Poston notes that a well-maintained, higher-mileage electric car can be an extremely durable used vehicle, a fact that could be vital for making the electric transition affordable for millions of motorists.
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