A new study analyzing nearly 50 million UK roadworthiness test results has found that secondhand electric vehicles with high mileage are more dependable than comparable gas-powered cars. The research, conducted by New AutoMotive on behalf of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), examined vehicles driven between 90,000 and 120,000 miles and found that EVs had a failure rate of 16.5%, compared to 22.1% for fossil-fuel models—roughly a quarter lower risk of failing at that stage. The pattern persists beyond 120,000 miles, with only 16% of electric vehicles failing versus nearly a quarter of gas cars. For lower-mileage vehicles, the gap between fuel types was negligible.
The findings arrive as more used EVs are hitting the resale market, driven by former corporate and leasing cars now entering private ownership. BVRLA CEO Toby Poston noted that shoppers typically focus on odometer readings when evaluating a used vehicle, and certain round-number thresholds have long influenced perceptions of trustworthiness. Poston argued that the data should reassure rather than deter buyers, stating that a properly cared-for EV can accumulate serious mileage and still be a solid used purchase. New AutoMotive chief executive Ben Nelmes agreed, saying the old assumption that high mileage automatically signals wear and tear doesn't hold up as neatly for electric cars. He attributed this to the comparatively fewer moving parts in an EV powertrain, which helps them hold up better over long distances.
However, the study wasn't entirely one-sided. EVs recorded almost double the incidence of tire issues found in internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. Older, lightly driven EVs also showed a higher rate of brake-related faults, which researchers linked to rust building up on components that don't get exercised as often on an electric car. Additionally, the annual roadworthiness check does not assess battery health or degradation, meaning that information must be evaluated separately from the mechanical results captured in the study.
Poston cautioned that the findings aren't a reason to skip due diligence. Prospective buyers should still check a used EV's paperwork, condition, tires, and battery performance—the same scrutiny they'd apply to a gas car's engine and service history. What the data does challenge, he said, is the outdated notion that any EV pushing past 80,000 or 100,000 miles ought to be treated as past its prime. This analysis provides additional reassurance to motorists weighing whether to acquire a used EV from carmakers like Massimo Group (NASDAQ: MAMO) or opt for a used ICE car.
The implications of this study are significant for the used car market. As more high-mileage EVs become available, buyers can take comfort in data showing they are less likely to fail inspections than their gas counterparts. This could help shift consumer attitudes and accelerate EV adoption, particularly in the secondhand market where affordability is a key concern. For industry stakeholders, including leasing companies and automakers, the findings underscore the durability of electric powertrains and may influence residual values and fleet management strategies. Platforms like GreenCarStocks, part of the Dynamic Brand Portfolio at IBN, continue to provide news and analysis on the evolving EV landscape, helping investors and consumers navigate this transition.
