📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Andrew Hill
Automobile
MOT data reveals high‑mileage EVs outlast petrol cars in durability
✍️ Fleet News
🗓 23 Sep 2026, 04:46 AM
👁 10
Recent MOT inspections show that electric cars with high mileage experience fewer failures than comparable petrol vehicles, indicating superior durability.
A recent analysis of Ministry of Transport (MOT) test results has highlighted a notable trend: electric vehicles (EVs) that have logged high mileage are registering fewer defects than their petrol‑powered counterparts. The data, compiled from thousands of MOT inspections across the country, compared failure rates of vehicles with more than 100,000 kilometres on the odometer.
The findings reveal that high‑mileage EVs failed an average of 12 per cent of the checks, whereas petrol cars of similar age and mileage failed around 19 per cent. The most common issues in petrol models involved exhaust system wear and engine oil leaks, while EVs primarily showed minor electrical system alerts that were quickly rectified.
Industry observers say the results could reshape fleet procurement strategies, as operators weigh long‑term maintenance costs against upfront purchase prices. The lower failure rate suggests that EVs may offer a longer usable life, reducing downtime and service expenses for businesses that rely on high‑usage vehicles.
Automakers have welcomed the data, noting that advances in battery management and regenerative braking are contributing to the durability of modern electric models. However, experts caution that continued monitoring is essential as the EV fleet expands and newer technologies are introduced.
The findings reveal that high‑mileage EVs failed an average of 12 per cent of the checks, whereas petrol cars of similar age and mileage failed around 19 per cent. The most common issues in petrol models involved exhaust system wear and engine oil leaks, while EVs primarily showed minor electrical system alerts that were quickly rectified.
Industry observers say the results could reshape fleet procurement strategies, as operators weigh long‑term maintenance costs against upfront purchase prices. The lower failure rate suggests that EVs may offer a longer usable life, reducing downtime and service expenses for businesses that rely on high‑usage vehicles.
Automakers have welcomed the data, noting that advances in battery management and regenerative braking are contributing to the durability of modern electric models. However, experts caution that continued monitoring is essential as the EV fleet expands and newer technologies are introduced.