MOT Fails are Mostly EVs

Welcome back to our investigation, in association with Data News Limited, into just what really happens down at the MOT station. The funny thing is that we originally went to press a good few weeks back and since then the Zego Insurance people confirmed what we found out, albeit with a slightly different line up of electrics.

Just for fun we decided to roll up that new fangled Jaguar Type 01 into all this. Apparently you can buy one next year, but more on that later. Not to spoil anything for you but Britain’s priciest electric and plug-in cars seem to be failing their first MOT at far higher rates than all those brilliantly well built Toyotas and Hondas we covered last time.

The Mercedes EQC 400 had the worst record of any car on the road, with almost one in five failing their first test. Of the 2,236 EQCs that took the MOT for the first time last year, 412 were given a fail — a rate of 18.43 per cent.

Nine of the ten worst cars for first-time MOT failures run on a battery, whether fully electric or plug-in hybrid — and seven of them are pure electric models from Tesla, BMW and Mercedes.

Tesla supplied four of the bottom ten cars, with BMW also having four in the list, including the X5 and i4.

It is thought one reason premium electric cars are faring so badly is that owners assume there is less to go wrong with fewer moving parts, and so skip basic checks on tyres and lights that a petrol or diesel driver might not. It does seem as though the salary sacrifice brigade (lower company car taxation) have also sacrificed old fashioned common sense. Just because the battery on wheels has a prestige badge doesn’t mean there is nothing to worry. The ‘arrogant’ brands are suffering from serious neglect and the high technology won’t save them.

It isn’t just us who have noticed this trend by looking at the stats. Over at Zego.com, they also know that electric cars often see higher rates of MOT failure. According to Sten Saar, CEO of Zego: “Electric cars tend to be less maintenance than petrol or diesel cars because they have significantly less moving parts and eliminate complex systems found in internal combustion engine vehicles. EVs don’t have engine fluids to change and most models don’t have a complex gearbox or clutch.

“Despite this, EVs do have higher MOT failure rates due to weight, usage, and maintenance factors. They are 40% more likely to fail on tyre-related issues than petrol cars and they are susceptible to brake corrosion due to physical friction brakes being used less often. They also suffer from suspension stress, the heavy weight of the battery puts extra downward force and physical strain on suspension components.”

Nissan E-NV200 The Nissan E-NV200 model has an overall score of 9.6/10. The E-NV200 has a failure rate of 1.8, the second-highest ranking overall. It also has a high failure defect ratio of 2.3 and a high minor fault ratio of 1.7. Though electric cars are often cheaper to buy and run than petrol cars are, the maintenance needed to manage the upkeep of a car like the E-NV200 can make owning one less affordable than it seems.

BMW iX

The BMW iX model has a score of 9.3/10. The iX model has a very high dangerous defect ratio score of 1.7. For both failure ratio and failure defect ratio it scores 1.5. The iX isn’t high maintenance when it comes to routine servicing as it’s an electric vehicle. But it can incur high-end luxury repair and consumable costs such as heavy tyres, air suspension, or out-of-warranty electrical fixes.

Renault Zoe The Renault Zoe model also has a score of 9.3/10. The Zoe model has a score of 1.8 for the failure defect ratio, but a low score of 0.7 for the minor fault ratio. The Zoe is significantly cheaper to run than a petrol or diesel car due to fewer moving parts and no engine oil, but it does have specific known electrical and mechanical wear points that can make the upkeep costly if ignored.

Tesla Model Y The Tesla Model Y has an overall score of 9.2/10. The Model Y ranks sixth overall for the dangerous defect ratio with a score of 1.9. It also has a score of 1.5 for the failure defect ratio. Overall, the Tesla Model Y is considered fairly low maintenance due to its low lifetime costs and only requiring a few basic items like tyres and brake fluid during routine checks. However, whilst routine maintenance is low, out-of-warranty mechanical repairs can be expensive if they fail, and service centre wait times can often be long. So there you have it, conclusive proof that the electricity car dream can go a bit sour after three years. Which is where we bring in the Jaguar Type 01 which at the very least is designed, engineered and built in Britain. Orders start in early 2027 and prices start at a staggering £130,000. You can already read how we predicted the death of Jaguar a couple of years ago and that seems to have happened. Whether this one model rebirth remains to be seen and appreciated.

Far be it from us to comment on its breeze block looks, which is far to easy According to JLR themselves the ‘Type 01 is defined by exuberant proportions, with its low roofline, long bonnet, sleek silhouette and dramatic presence. Starting from a single line and a blank sheet of paper, it is the most aerodynamic and powerful Jaguar road car. A bold, one-of-a-kind that breaks convention, with a clear lineage to the great Jaguars of the past including the E-type and XJS.  ‘

It’s not all about the breeze block, there is a great big sod off battery underneath it all. Powered by an 850-volt electrical architecture, it delivers a 400-mile range (EPA) and adds 200 miles in 13 minutes using 350kW charging.

Never mind all that Legolike styling and electricity movement, are Jaguar still properly woke? Like when they had all those non binary characters behaving as though they were in an Ashes to Ashes era David Bowie video? Well, not anymore, they announced that film star Florence Pugh as the inaugural brand ambassador. ‘Embodying the originality, fearlessness and creative spirit that define Jaguar.’ 

Maybe there is some hope for Jaguar as a modern brand, we just reckon at first MOT time when Florrie is in trouble with her loaner 01 the good news is that you are in the driving seat of your no advisory Toyota.