Warranty Solutions Group has published a new report highlighting EVs with the most warranty claims.
Its inaugural EV Market View Report looked at 2,500 real-world EV warranty claims, revealed a huge spread.
It claimed the Renault Zoe recorded the lowest warranty claim rate at just 1.49%, while the Tesla Model S exceeded 34%, meaning some used electric vehicles generated warranty claims at a rate more than 23 times higher than others.
Despite continued concern over battery degradation, high-voltage battery repairs accounted for just 2.14% of warranty claims. Instead, charging systems, vehicle electronics and traditional wear and tear components are increasingly driving warranty activity as electric vehicles age and move beyond their original manufacturer warranties.
The research also highlights how the economics of EV ownership are changing. Labour now accounts for 29.9% of the average EV repair bill, reflecting the increasing complexity of modern electric vehicles and the specialist diagnostics, equipment and technical expertise required to complete repairs safely and efficiently.
The report reveals there is no such thing as a “typical” used EV. Instead, significant differences exist between individual models, with some delivering exceptionally dependable ownership while others generate warranty claims far more frequently.
The Renault Zoe topped the rankings as the UK’s most reliable used electric vehicle, followed by the BMW i3 (2.17%), MG ZS EV (2.33%), Nissan Leaf (2.42%) and Tesla Model Y (3.33%). Together, the findings demonstrate that dependable used EV ownership is now being achieved across a diverse mix of manufacturers, vehicle types and price points.
At the opposite end of the rankings, the Tesla Model S recorded the highest warranty claim rate at 34.78%, followed by the Mercedes-Benz EQV (33.33%) and Tesla Model X (29.17%).
WSG said the contrast was “striking.” The Tesla Model S generated warranty claims at a rate more than 23 times higher than the Renault Zoe, highlighting the importance of model-specific reliability data for dealers, retailers and consumers alike.
