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High-mileage electric cars are less likely to fail an MOT than equivalent petrol cars, according to new BVRLA research challenging traditional perceptions of higher-mileage used vehicles.
Published today as part of #UsedEVWeek, the study was commissioned by the BVRLA and carried out by independent transport research organisation New AutoMotive. Analysis of 47.4 million MOT tests found relatively little difference between electric and petrol cars at lower mileages once age and mileage are taken into account.
From around 60,000 miles, however, the picture begins to change. EV MOT failure rates level off at approximately 16%, while those for petrol and diesel cars continue to climb. Among vehicles aged three to eight years with 90,000–120,000 miles on the clock, 16.5% of EVs failed their MOT compared with 22.1% of petrol cars.
The research also found no evidence that the additional weight of EVs results in more suspension problems, although EVs recorded more tyre defects. Battery health is not assessed as part of an MOT and is therefore outside the scope of the study.
The findings form part of a week of activity exploring the used EV market, with blogs, a podcast and contributions from across the industry looking at reliability, affordability, customer confidence and routes to market.
Keep following #UsedEVWeek for more insight, evidence and perspectives from across the industry throughout the week.
View or download the report:
How durable are electric vehicles BVRLA report by New Automotive - September 2026 (PDF)
