Questions about the long-term durability and reliability of electric cars are being answered by comprehensive research. A massive study analyzing inspection data from millions of vehicles in the UK reveals that high-mileage electric vehicles stay on the road much longer and without problems compared to internal combustion engine models. Especially as lifespan and mileage increase, the durability difference between electric and petrol models widens significantly in favor of electric vehicles.

The Risk of Breakdowns in Petrol Vehicles Increases with Mileage

The research, based on official MOT inspection results in the UK, examines key mechanical components such as suspension, brakes, tires, and emissions. The data shows that there is no significant difference in durability between gasoline and electric vehicles in their initial usage periods. In fact, early failure rates are quite similar in electric vehicles, as owners tend to drive more in the first few years.

However, stability changes completely once the total usage range of the vehicles exceeds approximately 65,000 kilometers (40,000 miles). Gasoline cars begin to rapidly decline in reliability after this threshold. When vehicles reach approximately 190,000 kilometers (120,000 miles), the probability of a gasoline model breaking down or failing inspection is 47 percent higher than that of an electric model. According to the data, the failure rate of gasoline vehicles at this mileage is 23.5 percent, while it remains at 16 percent for electric vehicles.

Direct Comparison: Electric Models Lead in Suspension and Brakes

The study also compares identical models with both gasoline and fully electric versions side-by-side. In all comparisons except the Volkswagen Golf, the electric versions present a much more robust picture compared to their internal combustion counterparts. This situation does not change in light commercial vehicles; For example, the electric version of the Nissan NV200 model has far fewer mechanical problems than its diesel engine option.

The valuable details that emerged compared to the examined mechanical sections are listed as follows:

• Suspension Durability: Despite the extra load due to the battery, electric vehicles experience fewer suspension problems than gasoline-powered models in every mileage range.
• Brake System: Thanks to regenerative braking technology, electric vehicles wear out brake pads and discs much less. However, in electric vehicles older than 10 years, problems caused by rust and corrosion can occur due to improper use of friction brakes.
• Tire Wear: The only disadvantage of electric vehicles is tire consumption. Especially hybrid platform vehicles that are later converted to electric wear their tires faster than standard models due to their high body weight.

Electric Vehicles Are Breaking the Mold in the Used Car Market

Contrary to popular belief, the concern that electric vehicles will fall apart as they age is refuted by concrete usage data from the field. Electric powertrains, devoid of complex engine components, transmission gears, and hundreds of moving modules, clearly demonstrate the advantage of mechanical durability over high mileage. While tests in the UK did not directly measure battery health, independent research confirms that electric vehicle batteries can maintain an average of 90 percent capacity even after more than 150,000 kilometers of use.

Data from millions of vehicles clearly documents that electric models are a much more economical and durable alternative in the long run in the high-mileage used car market.