High-Mileage EVs Outperform Gas Cars in UK Roadworthiness Tests, New Study Finds

A new analysis of 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 BVRLA, the trade body for vehicle leasing and rental firms, examined failure rates for cars driven between 90,000 and 120,000 miles. EVs recorded a failure rate of 16.5%, compared to 22.1% for fossil-fuel models, meaning electric cars were roughly a quarter less likely to fail at that stage.

The pattern continued beyond 120,000 miles, with only 16% of EVs 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 that often carry significant mileage and are now entering private ownership.

BVRLA CEO Toby Poston said buyers typically focus on odometer readings when evaluating a used vehicle, and certain round-number thresholds have long influenced perceptions of trustworthiness. He argued the data should reassure rather than deter buyers, noting that a well-maintained EV can accumulate high mileage and still be a solid used purchase. New AutoMotive chief executive Ben Nelmes added that the old assumption linking high mileage to inevitable wear and tear does not hold as neatly for electric cars, crediting the fewer moving parts in an EV powertrain for better durability over long distances.

However, the study was not entirely favorable to EVs. Electric vehicles showed almost double the incidence of tire issues found in internal combustion engine cars. Older, lightly driven EVs also exhibited a higher rate of brake-related faults, which researchers attributed to rust accumulating on components that are used less frequently in electric cars.

The annual roadworthiness check does not assess battery health or degradation, so that information must be evaluated separately from mechanical results. Poston cautioned that the findings are not an excuse to skip due diligence. Prospective buyers should still review a used EV’s paperwork, condition, tires, and battery performance, applying the same scrutiny they would to a gas car’s engine and service history. What the data challenges, he said, is the outdated notion that any EV past 80,000 or 100,000 miles should be considered past its prime.

The analysis offers additional reassurance to motorists weighing whether to buy a used EV from automakers such as Massimo Group (NASDAQ: MAMO) or choose a used gasoline vehicle. The research was distributed through GreenCarStocks, a communications platform focused on EVs and the green energy sector, which is part of the Dynamic Brand Portfolio at IBN. The platform provides wire solutions through InvestorWire and other services. Full terms of use and disclaimers are available at https://www.GreenCarStocks.com/Disclaimer.

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