UK MOT data shows high-mileage EVs are more durable than petrol cars

A major analysis of 47.4 million MOT vehicle inspections in the United Kingdom reveals that high-mileage electric vehicles (EVs) are more durable and less likely to fail inspections than petrol or diesel counterparts.

Commissioned by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) and conducted by New AutoMotive, the study found that while failure rates are comparable at low mileages, a significant divergence occurs after approximately 60,000 miles. For vehicles aged three to eight years with 90,000 to 120,000 miles, EVs had a 16.5% failure rate, compared to 22.1% for petrol cars.

The advantage increases with higher mileage. For vehicles exceeding 120,000 miles, the EV failure rate remains around 16%, whereas petrol vehicle failure rates rise to 23.5%. Researchers attribute this to the simpler mechanical structure of EVs, which lack complex components like clutches, timing belts, and exhaust systems.

However, the study also noted specific challenges for EVs. Due to their increased weight from battery packs, some models experience accelerated wear on suspension systems and tires. Additionally, the frequent use of regenerative braking can lead to brake pad corrosion in older vehicles that do not use traditional friction braking as often.