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Electric Vehicles Prove More Durable Than Petrol Cars at High Mileage, Study Finds
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Findings: Reliability Improves with Mileage
A study of 47.4 million UK MOT records shows EVs become less likely to fail their road-worthiness test than comparable petrol cars once they exceed roughly 60 000 mi. Between 90 000 and 120 000 mi, the MOT failure rate for EVs was 16.5 % versus 22.1 % for petrol models—a 25 % relative advantage. Above 120 000 mi the gap widened to 16.0 % for EVs against 23.5 % for petrol cars. By age 15, 94.6 % of EVs returned for another MOT compared with 88.1 % of petrol cars.
Background & Context
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) commissioned independent transport research organisation New AutoMotive to analyse official DVSA MOT data. The analysis, released on September 22 2026, tested the assumption that high mileage inevitably signals declining mechanical reliability, especially for battery-electric powertrains.
Data & Statistics
| Mileage / Age | MOT failure rate (EV) | MOT failure rate (Petrol) | Relative difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 000–40 000 mi | 12.0 % | 11.7 % | – |
| 60 000 mi + | ~16 % | rising above 20 % | EVs ~25 % less likely to fail |
| 90 000–120 000 mi (3–8 yr) | 16.5 % | 22.1 % | 25 % lower |
| >120 000 mi | 16.0 % | 23.5 % | 32 % lower |
| Age 15 yr | 94.6 % returned for MOT | 88.1 % returned for MOT | – |
Component-specific findings: EVs recorded about 1.8 times more tyre defects, but 4.7 suspension defects per 100 tests versus 6.1 for petrol cars between 60 000 and 90 000 mi. Brake defects were fewer in high-mileage EVs, likely due to regenerative braking.
Official Statements & Responses
Toby Poston, chief executive of the BVRLA, emphasized that mileage alone should not deter buyers and that a well-maintained, high-mileage EV can be a durable used vehicle. Ben Nelmes, chief executive of New AutoMotive, noted that the study separates age from mileage, showing the mechanical simplicity of electric drivetrains becomes increasingly valuable as cars accumulate miles. Both urged prospective buyers to examine vehicle history, condition, tyres and battery health.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
MOT examinations assess brakes, tyres, suspension, steering and lights but do not measure battery state-of-health or charging performance. A separate large-scale battery-health study found EV batteries typically retain about 90 % of capacity after 90 000 mi, suggesting the mechanical reliability advantage may extend to power-train longevity, though this aspect lies outside the MOT dataset.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This isn’t an argument for buying a used EV without doing your homework,” — Toby Poston, BVRLA chief executive
- “That matters because the used market is where the transition to electric becomes accessible to millions more motorists.” — Ben Nelmes, New AutoMotive chief executive
- “Mileage has always been one of the first things people look at when buying a used car, and passing 60,000 or 70,000 miles can have a big impact on how a vehicle is perceived” — Toby Poston, BVRLA chief executive
- “The important thing about this study is that we can separate age from mileage” — Ben Nelmes, New AutoMotive chief executive