High-mileage electric vehicles were less likely than comparable petrol cars to fail the UK’s annual MOT roadworthiness test, according to an analysis of 47.4 million test records commissioned by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA). The gap became more pronounced once vehicles had covered more than 60,000 miles.
The findings could strengthen the case for used EVs, particularly for buyers concerned that a higher odometer reading will inevitably bring higher repair costs. However, the MOT is a road-safety inspection rather than a complete assessment of a vehicle’s condition, and it does not measure battery health or remaining battery capacity.
Failure-rate gap widens at higher mileages
BVRLA commissioned research firm New AutoMotive to examine Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency MOT certificates. The test covers areas including brakes, tyres, steering, suspension and lights.
At between 20,000 and 40,000 miles, the study found little difference between powertrains: battery-electric vehicles had a 12% MOT failure rate, compared with 11.7% for petrol cars.
Beyond 60,000 miles, however, petrol and diesel vehicle failure rates continued to rise while EVs levelled out at around 16%, according to the analysis.
Among vehicles aged three to eight years with 90,000 to 120,000 miles recorded, 16.5% of EVs failed their MOT, compared with 22.1% of petrol cars. BVRLA said this made EVs around 25% less likely to fail. Above 120,000 miles, the recorded failure rate was 16.0% for EVs and 23.5% for petrol cars.
New AutoMotive chief executive Ben Nelmes said the results challenge the conventional assumption that high mileage is automatically an indicator of poor condition. He attributed the trend in part to the relative mechanical simplicity of an electric drivetrain as vehicles accumulate miles.
Older EVs were more likely to return for another test
The research also found a higher share of older EVs returning for their next MOT. At 15 years old, 94.6% of EVs returned for a subsequent test, compared with 88.1% of petrol cars, according to BVRLA.
BVRLA said the data indicates that mileage alone should not deter buyers from considering a used electric car. A higher-mileage EV that has been properly maintained can remain a durable used vehicle, the organisation said.
That conclusion should nevertheless be interpreted within the limits of the MOT data. A pass result does not provide a direct measure of battery degradation, charging performance or usable driving range. Those factors remain important when assessing any used EV.
Tyres, brakes and battery condition still require checks
The analysis identified some areas where used-EV buyers should be especially careful. Tyre defects appeared more frequently on EVs, with older electric cars based on internal-combustion-engine platforms described as particularly affected.
Brake findings were more mixed. High-mileage EVs recorded substantially fewer brake defects, but older low-mileage electric cars had more friction-brake defects. BVRLA said the researchers linked this to corrosion, as physical brakes may be used less often in vehicles that rely heavily on regenerative braking.
Buyers should also examine an EV’s service and accident history, software-update record, tyre and brake condition, charging-port operation and any fault codes. UK dealer Woodson Cars additionally advises checking the battery-health percentage, charging history and remaining warranty coverage.
Real-world range should be considered against a buyer’s driving needs, access to home charging and seasonal conditions, rather than relying only on the manufacturer’s original range figure. Compatibility with public charging connectors is another practical consideration.
The MOT results support a more nuanced view of high-mileage EVs: an elevated mileage figure is not, by itself, evidence of an unreliable electric car. But battery condition and the vehicle’s wider maintenance history remain essential parts of a used-EV inspection.
