Archive · 22 Sep 2026
MOT Data Shows High-Mileage EVs Can Outlast Petrol Cars
Researchers studied 47.4 million car safety tests called MOTs.
They found that electric cars with many miles were less likely to fail than petrol cars with similar mileage.
The difference was especially large after 120,000 miles.
At lower mileages, the two types of car performed similarly.
Electric cars may benefit from having fewer moving mechanical parts.
However, older electric cars had more tyre problems and some brake problems.
An MOT cannot tell buyers whether an electric car’s battery is healthy.
People buying a used EV should check its battery, service history, tyres and maintenance records.
An analysis of 47.4 million MOT tests found that EVs had lower failure rates than petrol cars after 90,000 miles.
Between 90,000 and 120,000 miles, 16.5% of EVs failed their MOT compared with 22.1% of petrol cars.
Above 120,000 miles, around 16% of EVs failed compared with 23.5% of petrol cars.
Older EVs recorded more tyre defects and, in some cases, more friction-brake defects than petrol cars.
MOT tests do not assess battery health, degradation or charging performance, so buyers need additional checks.
- Who
- The consultancy New AutoMotive conducted the analysis for the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association.
- What
- The analysis found that high-mileage electric vehicles had lower MOT failure rates than comparable petrol cars.
- When
- The comparison covers vehicles at mileage ranges of 90,000–120,000 miles and above 120,000 miles; no publication date is specified.
- Where
- The analysis concerns vehicles undergoing MOT tests, but no specific location is stated in the article.
- Why
- Researchers linked the reliability difference partly to the simpler mechanical design of electric drivetrains, while noting that MOTs do not assess battery condition.
Evidence of High-Mileage EV Durability
Reliability Caveats for Used EVs
Overall MOT performance
Evidence of High-Mileage EV Durability
The analysis found that EVs were less likely than petrol cars to fail their MOT after 90,000 miles, with the gap widening beyond 120,000 miles.
Reliability Caveats for Used EVs
MOT results cover roadworthiness items but do not show whether an EV’s battery has degraded or whether it charges properly.
Mechanical reliability
Evidence of High-Mileage EV Durability
Researchers linked EVs’ performance partly to their drivetrains having fewer moving components than conventional petrol engines.
Reliability Caveats for Used EVs
The results do not mean every high-mileage EV will be trouble-free, and some older EVs had more tyre and friction-brake defects.
Used-car buying decisions
Evidence of High-Mileage EV Durability
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association said mileage alone should not discourage consumers from considering a well-maintained used EV.
Reliability Caveats for Used EVs
Buyers should check battery condition, service history, tyres and overall maintenance in addition to MOT history.
- MOT tests analyzed
- 47.4 million
- EV failure rate at 90,000–120,000 miles
- 16.5%
- Petrol failure rate at 90,000–120,000 miles
- 22.1%
- EV failure rate above 120,000 miles
- About 16%
- Petrol failure rate above 120,000 miles
- 23.5%
- EV concerns
- Tyres and, among some older vehicles, friction brakes
- MOT limitation
- It does not assess battery health, degradation or charging performance