Latest DVSA data concerning the UK MOT has shown that electric vehicles are more likely to fail the test than their petrol and hybrid counterparts. 

Website BookMyGarage.com analysed the data and found that electric vehicles have an MOT failure rate of  11.4% after three years, rising to 21.8% for six-year-old vehicles. Corresponding figures for petrol vehicles are 10.7% and 19.1% and for hybrids are 11.2% and 15.4%.Figures for diesels were 15.4% and 21.4%.  

Karen Rotberg, co-founder of BookMyGarage, commented, “One of the benefits of driving an electric vehicle is the reduction in maintenance required. Service intervals are typically longer than the interval for many petrol or diesel vehicles, and fewer components or fluids need replacing during the service itself. However, this doesn’t mean electric vehicles are immune to safety defects. In fact, because electric vehicles are generally much heavier than vehicles with internal combustion engines, wear on some components, especially tyres, can be greater.”

Karen added, “This data highlights the importance of regular servicing and safety checks on electric vehicles, even though their service schedules are simpler, to ensure any defects are found before they become dangerous.”