Petrol vehicles have been dealt a fresh blow as a new study reveals a massive MOT benefit for electric car owners. New research by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) and independent transport research group New AutoMotive have analysed official DVSA MOT records to examine MOT pass rates.
The study found no major difference between EVs and petrol vehicles at lower mileage, with 12% of battery models failing their test between 20,000 and 40,000 miles compared to 11.7% of petrol cars.
The study shows a stark difference between EVs and petrol models when cars are aged between three and eight years old, with between 90,000 and 120,000 miles on the clock. The research found that at this threshold, 16.5% of EVs failed their annual MOT assessment compared to 22.1% of petrol cars.
Toby Poston, chief executive of the BVRLA, stressed the data shows that road users will need to “think differently” about second-hand EVs.
He said: “Mileage has always been one of the first things people look at when buying a used car, and passing 60,000 or 70,000 miles can have a big impact on how a vehicle is perceived. This research suggests we need to think differently when it comes to electric vehicles.
“Many of the EVs now entering the used market have had their first life in company and leasing fleets and have already covered substantial mileage. What this data shows is that mileage alone should not put consumers off. A well-maintained, higher-mileage electric car can be an extremely durable used vehicle.
“That matters because the used market is where the transition to electric becomes accessible to millions more motorists. Giving buyers confidence in these cars will be critical to creating a healthy and affordable second-hand EV market.”
The data shows that the differences continue to rise once cars achieve above 120,000 miles. At this level, EVs have a 16% MOT failure rate alongside 23.5% for petrol.
Ben Nelmes, chief executive of New AutoMotive said that the data was “powerful evidence for anyone considering a used EV”.
He added: “High mileage isn’t a proxy for poor condition in the way buyers have traditionally assumed. The data suggests the mechanical simplicity of an electric drivetrain starts to become increasingly valuable as cars accumulate miles.”