High-Mileage Electric Vehicles Outperform Gas Cars in Reliability, New Study Finds

A new study analyzing nearly 50 million UK roadworthiness test results has found that high-mileage electric vehicles are more dependable than equivalent gasoline-powered cars. The research, conducted by New AutoMotive for the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), examined vehicles with 90,000 to 120,000 miles on the odometer and found that EVs had a failure rate of 16.5%, compared to 22.1% for fossil-fuel models—roughly a quarter lower risk. Beyond 120,000 miles, only 16% of EVs failed, while nearly a quarter of gas cars did. The reliability gap was negligible for lower-mileage vehicles.

This news comes as a growing number of used EVs are hitting the resale market, particularly former corporate and leasing vehicles with substantial mileage. BVRLA CEO Toby Poston noted that while shoppers often focus on odometer readings, the data should reassure buyers that a well-maintained EV can remain a solid purchase even at high mileage. New AutoMotive CEO Ben Nelmes attributed the longevity to the fewer moving parts in an EV powertrain, which reduces wear over time.

However, the study also revealed some drawbacks: EVs showed nearly double the incidence of tire issues compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, and older, lightly driven EVs had higher rates of brake-related faults due to rust on underused components. Additionally, the annual roadworthiness test does not assess battery health or degradation, meaning buyers must evaluate that separately. Poston emphasized that the findings are not a reason to skip due diligence, and that prospective buyers should still check paperwork, condition, tires, and battery performance—just as they would for a gas car’s engine and service history.

The implications for the used EV market are significant. As more high-mileage EVs enter the secondary market, this data challenges the outdated notion that EVs past 80,000 or 100,000 miles are past their prime. For consumers weighing whether to purchase a used EV from carmakers like Massimo Group (NASDAQ: MAMO) or a used ICE vehicle, the study provides additional reassurance about EV durability.

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