UK MOT analysis: high-mileage electric cars stay on the road longer than petrol equivalents

# Quick summary A large UK study used millions of annual MOT tests to compare roadworthiness of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and petrol cars. Early in their lives EVs and petrol cars show similar failure rates once mileage is accounted for. At higher lifetime mileages and older ages the EVs outperform petrol cars: failure rates diverge and petrol cars become more likely to be taken off the road.

# What the study measured

# Main findings

• In the early years of use there is little difference between EVs and petrol cars on a per-mile basis. EVs can show slightly more early problems because they tend to accumulate higher annual mileage than petrol cars. When matched by miles, early failure rates differ by under one percentage point.
• After roughly 40,000 miles the pattern changes: petrol cars begin to fail MOTs at a higher rate. The gap widens with higher mileage and age.
• At 120,000 miles the reported failure rates were 16% for EVs versus 23.5% for petrol cars, a 47% higher likelihood of failure for petrol vehicles at that mileage bracket.
• Side-by-side comparisons of models that exist in both BEV and petrol variants found EVs either tied or better in reliability in every case except the VW Golf.

# Component-level differences

• Suspension: Despite higher tire wear, BEVs suffered fewer suspension problems than petrol cars across mileage bands.
• Brakes: BEVs had fewer brake-related MOT failures because regenerative braking reduces friction-brake use. Vehicles older than 10 years bucked that pattern: very old EVs showed more brake problems, probably due to corrosion and underuse of friction brakes.

# Exceptions and design factors Purpose-built BEVs (for example the BMW i3 cited in the study) tended to avoid some weight-related issues seen in converted models. Converted BEVs had higher tire wear and, in some cases, other wear patterns tied to added battery mass. The VW Golf BEV was an exception in the side-by-side model comparisons, losing out on reliability by the study's measures.

# What the MOT data cannot tell you

# Practical takeaways for buyers and owners

• For fleet buyers: purpose-built BEVs avoid some weight-related wear problems seen in converted BEVs and may offer better long-term running costs tied to lower suspension and braking failures.

# Bottom line On MOT-based measures of roadworthiness, EVs start similarly to petrol cars and become comparatively more durable as mileage and age increase. The trade-offs are higher tire wear—especially in heavier converted BEVs—and potential brake corrosion on very old EVs. Battery condition is not covered by MOT data and requires separate inspection or testing.