Used Electric Vehicles Outperformed Petrol Cars in Study
A UK study found that electric vehicle failure rates remained significantly lower than petrol models past 60,000 miles.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Do you trust that electric vehicles maintain their reliability as they reach higher mileage?
Between July 2024 and 2026, researchers analyzed 47.4 million Ministry of Transport tests and discovered that electric vehicles are more reliable than petrol cars over 60,000 miles. This durability assessment aligns with a surge in adoption, as electric vehicles outsold petrol and diesel vehicles in Australia in August 2026.
Why it matters
The findings challenge the long-held consumer concern that battery-powered vehicles lose reliability more quickly than internal combustion engines as they age and accumulate high mileage.
Electric vehicles showed a 16% failure rate past 60,000 miles, while petrol models climbed past 23%. Additionally, electric cars recorded 1.8 times as many tyre defects as petrol vehicles.
The players
BVRLA
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association is a trade body that represents companies engaged in the rental, leasing, and fleet management of vehicles.
Drive
Drive is an Australian automotive media publication that provides news, reviews, and analysis on the motor industry.
The details
The analysis focused on vehicles aged three to eight years, revealing that 16.5% of electric models with 90,000 to 120,000 miles failed MOT tests, compared to 22.1% of petrol cars in the same cohort. For vehicles exceeding 120,000 miles, the failure rate for electric cars held at 16%, while petrol vehicles rose to 23.5%.
Timeline
July 2024 to 2026: BVRLA study analyzed 47.4 million MOT tests.
August 2026: Electric vehicles outsold petrol and diesel cars in Australia.
September 2026: Drive reported on battery testing findings.
Roadmap
This study suggests that the automotive industry is entering a phase where electric vehicle longevity is no longer a barrier to mainstream adoption. As manufacturers scale production, these durability metrics position electric models as viable long-term alternatives to established petrol lineups.
Used electric vehicle buyers can now make purchasing decisions with more confidence regarding long-term mechanical reliability past the 60,000-mile mark. Owners should specifically budget for more frequent tyre replacements, as the data indicates electric models experience these defects at a higher rate than internal combustion cars.
The takeaway
Reliability data suggests that high-mileage electric vehicles maintain better operational health than their petrol counterparts. Consumers should prioritize maintenance schedules that account for the increased wear on tyres common to heavier battery-electric models.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving performance of battery technology, visit the Electric Vehicles section.
Live Poll
Do you trust that electric vehicles maintain their reliability as they reach higher mileage?
