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Should I switch from petrol to an EV if I want long term reliability?

I've owned my 15 year old MkVI Golf TSI for 12 years and it's reliably covered over 160,000 miles. However, expensive problems are occurring and there are more issues on the horizon. It's probably towards the end of it's useful life. I am looking for a 2/3 year old replacement which will hopefully serve me just as well over the long term. I'm interested in EVs and hybrids but am concerned about long term reliability. Would they last or should I stick to good old petrol? And would you recommend any particular makes or models that are likely to go the distance?

Asked on 3 June 2025 by ANTHONY BOULTON

Answered by Matt Robinson
With far fewer moving parts on an EV, there's less to go wrong, which suggests that long-term reliability could well be better than an equivalent petrol/diesel-powered car. Battery degradation isn't too much of a worry either, with most EVs coming with a separate eight-year warranty on the battery guaranteeing at least 70% capacity. Interestingly, one of the oldest EVs out there, the BMW i3, is known to have fared very well in this regard.

It's difficult to say which models will prove reliable over an extended period of time, so we'd recommend letting personal preference guide your decision. For further reading, see our guide to the best electric cars, all of which have been around long enough for plenty of two to three-year-old examples to be on the used market:

www.honestjohn.co.uk/guides/best-electric-cars

Also see the results from our latest Satisfaction Index, which covers reliability. This may help steer your choice:

www.honestjohn.co.uk/honest-john-satisfaction-inde...#

If you cover no more than 100 miles per day and have easy access to a charging point at home or work, then an EV is ideal for you.

Is an electric car right for me?
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