A new study analyzing 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 British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), reveals that EVs driven between 90,000 and 120,000 miles have a failure rate of 16.5%, compared to 22.1% for fossil-fuel models—a roughly 25% lower risk. Beyond 120,000 miles, only 16% of EVs failed, versus nearly a quarter of gas cars. Lower-mileage vehicles showed negligible differences.
The findings arrive as more used EVs are hitting the resale market, primarily from corporate and leasing fleets. BVRLA CEO Toby Poston noted that buyers often fixate on odometer readings, but the data should reassure them. "A properly cared-for EV can rack up serious mileage and still hold together as a solid used purchase," he said. New AutoMotive CEO Ben Nelmes attributed the durability to the fewer moving parts in an EV powertrain, which reduces wear over long distances.
However, the study wasn't entirely favorable. EVs showed almost double the incidence of tire issues compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. Older, lightly driven EVs also had higher rates of brake-related faults, linked to rust on underused components. Additionally, the annual test does not assess battery health or degradation, so that remains a separate consideration.
Poston cautioned that the findings don't eliminate the need for due diligence. Buyers should still check paperwork, condition, tires, and battery performance—the same scrutiny applied to a gas car's engine and service history. What the data challenges is the outdated notion that any EV past 80,000 or 100,000 miles is past its prime.
This analysis provides additional reassurance to motorists considering a used EV from carmakers like Massimo Group (NASDAQ: MAMO) or opting for a used ICE car. As the used EV market expands, such data could shift consumer perceptions and boost confidence in electric mobility. The study underscores that with proper care, EVs can remain reliable even at high mileages, potentially accelerating adoption and supporting sustainability goals.
The research was disseminated through platforms like GreenCarStocks, a specialized communications platform within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio at IBN, which provides InvestorWire and other services to reach target audiences.
