Do Electric Cars Break Down More Than Petrol Cars? The 2026 Data Verdict
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One of the most persistent myths in the electric vehicle debate is that electric cars are unreliable — that they will leave you stranded at the roadside more often than a trusted petrol or diesel alternative. It is a concern that holds some potential drivers back, and it comes up frequently among employees weighing up an electric car salary sacrifice scheme for the first time.
This myth, however, is not supported by data — and the evidence in 2025 and early 2026 is stronger than it has ever been. This article examines the most authoritative and up-to-date reliability statistics available, covering breakdown rates, fire risk, battery longevity, and servicing costs, to give a fully evidenced answer to the question: do electric cars break down more than petrol cars?
Quick Answer: Do Electric Cars Break Down More Than Petrol Cars?
No. According to the most comprehensive 2025 breakdown data available — from Germany's ADAC, covering 3.6 million real-world callouts — petrol and diesel cars aged 2-4 years broke down 2.5 times more often than equivalent electric vehicles. For vehicles aged 2-4 years, ICE cars recorded 9.4 breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles versus just 3.8 for EVs. The UK's What Car? Reliability Survey 2025, based on 32,493 owner responses, found that EVs improved their average reliability score from 87.7% to 90.4% in a single year. The myth is, in short, the opposite of reality.
The 2025 Breakdown Data: ADAC's 3.6 Million Callout Analysis
The most authoritative large-scale breakdown data available comes from the German Automobile Club (ADAC), which operates Europe's largest roadside assistance service. In 2024, ADAC's 'Yellow Angels' responded to over 3.6 million breakdown callouts — providing a dataset large enough, for the first time, for ADAC to make a definitive statement on EV versus ICE reliability.
Their headline finding, published in April 2025, is unambiguous: when comparing vehicles of the same age bracket (registered between 2020 and 2022), electric cars recorded 4.2 breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles, while combustion engine cars recorded 10.4 per 1,000 — more than double the rate. For the 2-4 year old cohort specifically, the gap is even starker:
| Age Group | EV Breakdowns per 1,000 | ICE Breakdowns per 1,000 | ICE vs EV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-year-old vehicles (2020 reg) | 8.5 | 12.9 | 1.5x more likely |
| 3-year-old vehicles (2021 reg) | 4.3 | 8.2 | 1.9x more likely |
| 2-year-old vehicles (2022 reg) | 1.7 | 5.4 | 3.2x more likely |
| All 2-4 year old vehicles | 3.8 | 9.4 | 2.5x more likely |
Source: ADAC Breakdown Statistics 2024, published April 2025. Based on 3.6 million callouts across Germany.
ADAC also notes a compelling trend: the breakdown rate for newer EVs is falling significantly faster than for ICE equivalents. The 2022-registered EVs had just 1.7 breakdowns per 1,000 — compared to 5.4 for petrol and diesel cars of the same age. As EV manufacturers resolve early-generation software and build quality issues, the data suggests the reliability gap will continue to widen.
The total number of EV breakdowns attended by ADAC rose by 46% in 2024 — but this figure has been widely misread in media coverage. The number of EVs on German roads rose by 97% over the same period, meaning the average EV is actually becoming more reliable per vehicle, not less. EVs accounted for just 43,678 of the 3.6 million callouts — 1.2% of the total.
UK Reliability Surveys: What Car? and Warranty Solutions Group 2025
UK-specific reliability data corroborates the ADAC findings. The What Car? Reliability Survey 2025, conducted in association with MotorEasy and based on responses from 32,493 vehicle owners, reported that pure electric cars scored an average reliability rating of 90.4% — up from 87.7% in 2024, an improvement of 2.7 percentage points in a single year. The survey covers vehicles aged up to five years old and asks owners whether their cars experienced any faults in the preceding 24 months.
Standout performers from the 2025 What Car? survey include:
Kia EV3: achieved a perfect 100% reliability rating — the only fully electric model and one of only four cars across all categories to score 100%
BMW i4: 95.5% reliability; only 16% of cars surveyed reported any defect, with BMW covering the cost of all remedial work
Nissan Leaf: 95.6% reliability; consistently one of the strongest performers across multiple years of survey data
Renault Mégane E-Tech: 22% of cars reported a fault, but 85% of those could still be driven and nearly half were fixed within a day
The most common fault category for EVs in the What Car? survey is not the traction battery or electric motor — it is the 12-volt auxiliary battery and electrical system niggles, the same issues that affect petrol, diesel, and hybrid cars.
Separately, the Warranty Solutions Group (WSG) published an analysis of 1,000 real-world EV warranty claims made in 2025. The Nissan Leaf ranked as the most reliable used EV with a claim rate of just 1.52% — followed by the Audi e-tron (3.23%) and Vauxhall Corsa Electric (4.76%). Crucially, WSG found that fewer than 0.2% of EVs required a battery pack replacement under warranty — challenging one of the most common fears about electric car ownership.
| Model | WSG 2025 Claim Rate | Most Common Fault | Avg Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Leaf | 1.52% | Lane assist camera | £818 |
| Audi e-tron | 3.23% | Central locking | £570 |
| Vauxhall Corsa Electric | 4.76% | Suspension | £388 |
Source: Warranty Solutions Group, 1,000 real-world warranty claims, January–December 2025, published February 2026.
What Actually Causes Electric Cars to Break Down?
Understanding the real causes of EV breakdowns helps to contextualise the data — and reassures drivers that most breakdowns are either minor, manageable, or shared with petrol cars.
The 12-Volt Auxiliary Battery
The leading cause of EV breakdowns — identified by both ADAC and the What Car? survey — is the standard 12-volt auxiliary battery, the same small lead-acid or lithium battery used in petrol cars to power ancillary systems (lights, infotainment, door locks, wipers). ADAC's 2024 data found that defective 12V batteries caused 50.5% of all EV breakdowns — slightly higher than the 44.6% figure for ICE vehicles. This is in part because many EVs are accessed and managed via smartphone apps even when parked, which can drain the 12V system more quickly.
The good news: a 12V battery is inexpensive to replace (typically £80-£200) and is a routine part of EV servicing. Modern smart chargers and OTA software updates increasingly manage 12V charge levels to reduce this risk.
Running Out of Charge
Running out of charge accounts for a significant share of roadside incidents specific to EVs — though this is a driver behaviour issue rather than a mechanical failure. Unlike a petrol car that can be refuelled with a jerry can at the roadside, an EV with a depleted battery typically requires towing to a nearby charger. With average EV range now approximately 300 miles in 2026 (up from 235 miles in 2024 according to RAC data), and the UK's charging network exceeding 75,000 public charging points, this risk has reduced significantly for most drivers.
Software and Electrical System Issues
Software glitches — affecting infotainment, driver assistance systems, and charging management — appear frequently in owner surveys. The important distinction is that the majority of these issues are not mechanical and do not immobilise the vehicle. They can frequently be resolved via over-the-air (OTA) software updates, often without the vehicle needing to visit a service centre at all. What Car? data shows that 95% of faults in 2025 were fixed at no cost to the owner, compared to 87% in 2018.
Tyre Wear
EVs are typically 200-300kg heavier than equivalent petrol cars due to their battery packs. This additional weight can accelerate tyre wear, particularly on the front axle. WSG's 2025 data confirmed suspension and tyre-related components as a notable fault category. EV-specific tyres, designed for increased load ratings and lower rolling resistance, can mitigate this — and regular tyre rotation (as recommended by manufacturers) further reduces the risk.
EV vs Petrol: Common Breakdown Causes Compared
| Breakdown Cause | EV Risk Level | ICE Risk Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12V auxiliary battery | Moderate (50.5% of EV callouts) | Moderate (44.6% of ICE callouts) | Common to both. Routine replacement advised every 3-4 years. |
| Engine / drivetrain failure | Very low (no combustion engine) | High (fuel injection, ignition, oil systems) | Major EV advantage — no engine to fail. |
| Running out of fuel / charge | Moderate (specific to EVs) | Low | Range ~300 miles average in 2026. Planning mitigates this. |
| Software / electrical faults | Low-Moderate (often fixable via OTA) | Low-Moderate | Most EV faults resolved remotely or same day. |
| Tyre wear | Moderate (heavier vehicles) | Low-Moderate | Rotate tyres regularly; use EV-rated tyres where possible. |
| Brake wear | Very low (regenerative braking reduces pad use) | Moderate | EV brake pads can last significantly longer than ICE equivalents. |
| Cooling system failure | Low (sealed system) | Moderate (hoses, coolant leaks, thermostat) | EV cooling circuit is simpler and sealed. |
Should I Worry About Battery Degradation?
Battery degradation is one of the most frequently cited concerns among drivers considering their first EV. The reality is considerably less alarming than the headlines suggest.
How Long Do EV Batteries Last?
Modern EV batteries are typically rated to last 8-15 years or between 100,000 and 200,000 miles — broadly comparable to the lifespan of a petrol engine. Real-world evidence from large-scale ownership studies consistently shows that degradation is gradual and manageable: most EV owners experience around 2% capacity loss per year on average under normal use.
Warranty Solutions Group's 2025 UK data found that fewer than 0.2% of EVs required a battery replacement under warranty. Several major manufacturers — including Nissan, Tesla, Kia, Hyundai, Jaguar, and Renault — offer battery warranties covering 8 years or 100,000 miles, guaranteeing that the pack will retain at least 70% of its original capacity during this period.
Drivers who lease an electric car through a salary sacrifice scheme on a 2-4 year term will almost certainly never encounter battery degradation as a practical concern: the vehicle will be well within its warranty period and at peak performance throughout the lease.
Calendar Ageing vs Cyclic Ageing
Battery degradation occurs through two mechanisms: calendar ageing (gradual capacity reduction over time, largely unavoidable) and cyclic ageing (degradation caused by how you charge the battery, which is largely within the driver's control). Avoiding the behaviours below can significantly extend battery life:
How to Protect Your EV Battery: Best Practice Guide
| Practice | Recommended | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Daily charge level | Charge to 80% for daily use | Keeping charge below 100% reduces stress on battery cells and extends longevity |
| Minimum charge level | Don't regularly drop below 20% | Deep discharge cycles accelerate cell degradation over time |
| Fast charging frequency | Use DC rapid charging occasionally, not habitually | Frequent very high-speed charging generates heat, which degrades cells faster |
| Temperature management | Avoid leaving car in extreme heat when possible; use pre-conditioning | Heat is the leading environmental cause of accelerated battery degradation |
| Scheduled charging | Set charge to finish just before departure | Avoids the car sitting at 100% charge for extended periods |
| 12V auxiliary battery | Replace every 3-4 years as a precaution | The leading cause of EV breakdowns; inexpensive and routine to replace |
For a deeper look at battery care, see our guide to how electric cars work and our overview of what happens to old electric car batteries.
EV vs Petrol: Servicing and Maintenance Costs
The structural simplicity of an electric drivetrain — no combustion engine, no exhaust, no clutch, no timing belt, no oil to change — translates directly into lower servicing costs. This is one of the less-appreciated financial advantages of an electric car, particularly when accessed through an electric car salary sacrifice scheme where maintenance can be bundled into pre-tax payments.
| Vehicle Type | Average Annual Service Cost | Average Annual Repair Cost | Total Annual Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fully electric (BEV) | £103 (BookMyGarage 2025) | ~£220 (AutoHit / SMMT 2025) | ~£323 |
| Petrol | £151 (BookMyGarage 2025) | ~£450 (AutoHit / SMMT 2025) | ~£601 |
| Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) | £153 (BookMyGarage 2025) | ~£350 (est.) | ~£503 |
| Diesel | £163 (BookMyGarage 2025) | ~£420 (est.) | ~£583 |
Sources: BookMyGarage service cost data (2025); AutoHit UK and SMMT repair cost estimates (2025).
The AA's research, based on Cap HPI data, indicates that maintaining an electric car over three years costs approximately 23% less than an equivalent petrol vehicle. AutoHit's 2025 UK data puts the average annual repair cost at £220 for EVs versus £450 for petrol cars — a gap of £230 per year. Over a typical 3-year salary sacrifice lease, this represents approximately £690 in maintenance savings, on top of the tax savings from the scheme itself.
Brake pad longevity is a particularly significant advantage for EV drivers. Because electric vehicles use regenerative braking as the primary method of deceleration, physical brake pads are used far less frequently. In real-world ownership, many EV drivers report brake pads lasting two to three times longer than they would on a petrol equivalent.
What Does an EV Service Include? Full Checklist
EV servicing follows broadly the same schedule as a petrol car — typically annually or in line with the manufacturer's recommended mileage intervals. Without an engine, exhaust, clutch, spark plugs, or oil changes, the service process is often quicker. Here is what a standard EV service covers:
External lights and instrument warning lights
Horn, windscreen wipers, washers, and screenwash levels
Condition of windscreen, mirrors, number plate, and seat belts
Brake fluid inspection and top-up
Brake pad and disc wear measurement
Handbrake and brake calliper operation
Wheel condition and tyre inspection (including pressure and tread depth)
Steering rack gaiters and steering components
Shock absorbers, springs, and suspension parts
Wheel bearings
High-voltage battery condition report and 12V battery assessment
Operation of all EV-specific driver controls, warning systems, and charging ports
Check for any oil or fluid leaks (reduction gearbox fluid, coolant)
Software version check and OTA update scheduling
What is not included — because it is not needed — is an engine oil change, spark plug replacement, timing belt check, air filter replacement, exhaust inspection, or clutch assessment. This is a meaningful reduction in both service time and cost. Learn more about electric car maintenance and servicing.
Do Electric Cars Catch Fire More Than Petrol Cars? The Data
The EV fire narrative is one of the most persistent and misleading myths in the electric car debate. High-profile incidents receive disproportionate media coverage — partly because EV fires are genuinely unusual and partly because they are novel enough to attract attention. The data tells a very different story.
"All the data shows that EVs are just much, much less likely to set on fire than their petrol equivalent. The many fires that you have for petrol or diesel cars just aren't reported." — Colin Walker, Head of Transport, Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit
The Numbers
Multiple independent datasets converge on the same conclusion:
| Source | EV Fire Rate | ICE Fire Rate | Relative Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Saving Trust (2025, citing EV FireSafe) | 0.00% | 0.10% | ICE cars ~83x more likely |
| Honest John / AutoInsuranceEZ global study | 25 fires per 100,000 vehicles | 1,530 per 100,000 vehicles | ICE cars ~61x more likely |
| Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency | 0.4% of all vehicle fires | Majority of all vehicle fires | EVs ~20x less likely |
| London Assembly data (2023) | 7 BEV fires recorded | 493 petrol + 138 diesel fires | BEV fires a fraction of 1% |
| Thatcham Research (2018-2020 UK insurance data) | 0.001% of EVs/PHEVs | 0.007-0.011% of petrol/diesel | ICE cars 7-11x more likely |
Sources: Energy Saving Trust (June 2025); EV FireSafe global database (2010-2024); Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency; London Assembly/GLA 2023 data; Thatcham Research.
Why the Luton Airport Fire Was Not Caused by an Electric Car
The October 2023 Luton Airport car park fire was widely reported as being caused by an electric or hybrid vehicle. The official fire investigation report confirmed it was started by a diesel Range Rover. This episode illustrates precisely how EV fire coverage can diverge sharply from fact. While EVs present in the car park subsequently caught fire as the blaze spread, they were not the source — yet the association with EVs persisted in public perception long after the correction was published.
When EV Fires Do Occur: What Causes Them?
EV fires overwhelmingly result from external factors rather than spontaneous battery failure. EV FireSafe's analysis of global data from 2010-2024 (covering 511 confirmed EV traction battery fires across approximately 40 million EVs worldwide) identifies the leading causes as:
Submersion of the vehicle in water following a crash or flood
Road traffic collision causing physical damage to the battery pack
External fire spreading to the vehicle from another source
Manufacturing defects (rare; addressed by recalls)
It is also worth noting that when EV fires do occur, they present different challenges to emergency services compared to petrol car fires — they can require greater volumes of water to cool the battery and may reignite. UK fire services follow the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) EV Fire Guidelines, updated in 2024. This is a genuine operational consideration but does not change the statistical reality: the risk of an EV catching fire in the first place is orders of magnitude lower than for a petrol or diesel car.
It is also important to distinguish EV car fires from e-bike and e-scooter fires, which have risen sharply due to unregulated battery quality in cheaper imported models. These are a separate category and are sometimes conflated with EV car data in headline figures.
EV Reliability, Salary Sacrifice, and What It Means for You
If you are considering an electric car salary sacrifice scheme, the reliability picture is particularly favourable. Most salary sacrifice EV leases run for 2-4 years — the age bracket in which EVs demonstrate their strongest reliability advantage over ICE vehicles. Within this period, the vehicle will be covered by the manufacturer's warranty, and battery replacement is essentially a non-issue.
Through The Electric Car Scheme, employees can include servicing, maintenance, breakdown cover, and tyre replacements in a single all-inclusive monthly package — paid from gross salary before tax and National Insurance. This means the already-lower maintenance costs of an EV are further reduced through the same 20-50% salary sacrifice saving that applies to the vehicle lease itself.
The Complete Employer Protection offered by The Electric Car Scheme also means that employers are protected from unexpected costs from day one — removing a common barrier to setting up a company electric car scheme for their teams.
If cost is a primary consideration, our used electric car salary sacrifice offering provides access to quality used EVs from £128/month — delivering even greater financial accessibility. To see how much you could save, use our salary sacrifice calculator.
The Most Reliable Electric Cars in the UK: 2025 Survey Data
| Model | What Car? 2025 Score | WSG Claim Rate (2025) | Notable Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia EV3 | 100% (perfect score) | N/A — new model | Zero faults reported by any surveyed owner |
| Mini Electric | 98.40% | N/A | Highest reliability score of any EV in extended surveys |
| Nissan Leaf | 95.60% | 1.52% (lowest of any EV) | UK-built; consistent multi-year performer |
| BMW i4 | 95.50% | N/A | All repair costs covered by BMW; 83% of cars defect-free |
| Audi e-tron | N/A | 3.23% | Low average repair cost of £570 |
| Kia EV6 | Strong | N/A | 7-year warranty; Kia/Hyundai platform widely praised |
| Tesla Model 3 (2022 reg) | 89.50% | 0.5 per 1,000 vehicles (ADAC) | Improving year-on-year; OTA updates resolve most software issues |
Sources: What Car? Reliability Survey 2025 (32,493 owners); Warranty Solutions Group UK warranty claims 2025; ADAC breakdown analysis 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions: EV Reliability
Do electric cars break down more than petrol cars?
No. ADAC's 2025 analysis of 3.6 million breakdown callouts found that petrol and diesel cars aged 2-4 years broke down 2.5 times more often than equivalent EVs — 9.4 incidents per 1,000 vehicles for ICE cars versus 3.8 for EVs.
What is the most common cause of an EV breakdown?
The 12-volt auxiliary battery — the same component responsible for the majority of petrol car breakdowns too. It accounts for approximately 50% of EV callouts. It is inexpensive to replace (£80-£200) and is now a routine part of EV servicing schedules.
How long does an EV battery last?
Most modern EV batteries are rated to last 8-15 years or 100,000-200,000 miles. Real-world data suggests average degradation of around 2% per year under normal use. Fewer than 0.2% of EVs required a battery replacement under warranty in 2025, according to Warranty Solutions Group.
Are electric cars more likely to catch fire than petrol cars?
No. Research by the Energy Saving Trust (2025) puts the probability of an EV catching fire at 0.0012%, compared to 0.1% for a petrol or diesel vehicle. International data consistently finds petrol and diesel cars 20-83 times more likely to catch fire than EVs.
Is EV servicing cheaper than petrol car servicing?
Yes. The average EV service costs £103 versus £151 for a petrol car (BookMyGarage 2025). Total annual maintenance costs average approximately £323 for EVs compared to £601 for petrol cars — a saving of around £278 per year.
What is the most reliable electric car in the UK?
The Kia EV3 achieved a perfect 100% reliability rating in the What Car? Reliability Survey 2025 — the only EV to do so. The Nissan Leaf ranked as the most reliable used EV in Warranty Solutions Group's 2025 claims data, with a fault rate of just 1.52%.
Should I worry about EV reliability if I salary sacrifice?
The 2-4 year term of most salary sacrifice leases coincides precisely with the age bracket in which EVs show their strongest reliability advantage over petrol cars. The vehicle will be fully within its manufacturer warranty throughout the lease, and maintenance can be bundled into the scheme.
Do EVs need oil changes?
No. Electric vehicles do not have a combustion engine and require no engine oil. The reduction gearbox may require oil inspection over the vehicle's lifetime, but this is infrequent. Coolant in sealed EV systems should be inspected by a technician but not changed by the driver.
The Verdict: Electric Cars Are More Reliable Than Petrol Cars
The evidence from 2025 is definitive. Across every major dataset — ADAC's 3.6 million European breakdown callouts, the UK's What Car? Reliability Survey covering 32,493 owners, Warranty Solutions Group's 2025 UK claims data, and a wealth of fire risk research — electric cars consistently outperform petrol and diesel cars for reliability. They break down less often, cost less to service, require fewer repairs, and are dramatically less likely to catch fire.
The most common EV breakdown cause — the 12-volt auxiliary battery — is neither expensive nor unique to electric cars. Battery degradation is gradual and manageable, not the catastrophic risk it is sometimes portrayed as. And for drivers who access an EV through an electric car salary sacrifice scheme on a 2-4 year lease, these concerns are further mitigated by warranty coverage, bundled maintenance, and the proven reliability of current-generation EV technology.
If you are ready to explore how much you could save on an electric car through The Electric Car Scheme, use our salary sacrifice calculator. Employers can book a demo to learn more about setting up a company electric car scheme with Complete Employer Protection from day one.
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Last Updated: 23/02/2026
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