Analysis of millions of MOT records by the BVRLA shows electric cars age differently: fewer overall failures at high mileage, higher tyre defect rates, and no MOT data on battery capacity.
At 90,000–120,000 miles EVs fail MOTs at 16.5% versus 22.1% for petrol cars — roughly 25% fewer failures.
EV MOT failure rate plateaus around 16% above 60,000 miles while petrol failure rates continue to rise to 23.5% above 120,000 miles.
# What the study looked at Association (BVRLA) analysed 47.4 million MOT tests carried out between 2024 and 2026 and incorporated 863 million historical MOT records. The dataset compares failure rates for all-electric cars and petrol cars across different mileages and ages to assess long-term durability and roadworthiness trends.
# Core results you can use when shopping used Between 20,000 and 40,000 miles the difference is negligible: EVs failed MOTs 12.0% of the time compared with 11.7% for petrol cars. Differences appear as mileage increases. At 60,000 miles EV failure rates settle at about 16%, while petrol and diesel cars continue to deteriorate.
The headline figure comes at high mileage: for cars aged roughly three to eight years with 90,000–120,000 miles on the clock, the MOT fail rate is 16.5% for EVs versus 22.1% for petrol cars — about a 25% relative advantage for EVs. Above 120,000 miles the gap widens slightly: EVs show a 16.0% failure rate while petrol cars are 23.5%.
The study also tracked vehicle retention. Possible reasons a car leaves UK roads include scrapping, export, or being declared SORN. Still, 94.6% of 15-year-old EVs came back for an MOT within 30 months of their previous test compared with 88.1% of petrol cars, suggesting older EVs remain in active use at least as long as petrol vehicles.
# Mileage patterns and fleet usage EVs cover a higher median annual mileage up to their first MOT on the third birthday: 27,072 miles for EVs versus 20,499 miles for petrol cars. The BVRLA notes part of this reflects higher proportions of EVs used by leasing companies, fleets, and private-hire services.
# Where EVs underperform on MOTs Tyres: EVs record roughly 1.8 times more tyre defects than petrol cars. The study points to higher torque and greater kerb weights on many EVs — including those that share platforms with combustion models — as likely contributors to extra tyre wear.
Brakes: Regenerative braking complicates the picture. At low mileages EVs more often show friction-brake defects, which the report links to under-use and surface corrosion. At higher mileages EVs exhibit fewer brake defects than petrol cars.
# What the MOT does not tell you MOT inspections do not measure battery remaining capacity or degradation, so the study cannot speak to how much useful battery life remains in a high-mileage EV. The BVRLA's chief executive, Toby Poston, warned this is not a green light to buy any used EV sight-unseen. Buyers should check vehicle history, tyres and battery condition in the same way they would check engine, gearbox and service history on an ICE vehicle.
# Practical takeaway for buyers and fleet managers
EVs with 90,000 to 120,000 miles on the clock are more likely to pass MOTs than petrol models of the same age Motorists buying a secondhand car with a lot of miles on the clock are likely to find an electric vehicle (EV) ultimately more reliable than a petrol vehicle, according to a study. An analysis of 47.4m MOT test
Analysis of 47.4 million MOTs finds electric cars are around 25 per cent less likely to fail than petrol models as mileage climbs
High-mileage electric cars are less likely to fail an MOT than equivalent petrol models, analysis of 47.4 million tests has found.
High-mileage electric cars are less likely to fail an MOT than petrol cars of the same age and mileage.
Rising oil prices helped push E.V. sales ahead of gas cars for the first time, even in a country that loves long road trips.
Plus, EVs have gotten cheaper to buy, and there are hundreds of new models to choose from.
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