The top five most common electric vehicle faults have been revealed in new research, showing that high-voltage battery failures are completely absent from the main liabilities. Warrantywise –
The top five most common electric vehicle faults have been revealed in new research, showing that high-voltage battery failures are completely absent from the main liabilities.
Warrantywise – a well-known UK provider of extended used car warranties for over 25 years – analysed its repairs data insights and revealed that despite concerns from buyers, EV battery-related faults failed to rank among the top issues.
Instead, most repair requests relate to non-powertrain components, with EV battery-related repairs remaining comparatively uncommon during the period analysed.
The latest used EV Reliability Warrantywise dataset suggests that used EV repair concerns are not limited to EV-specific parts. Instead, electrical system troubles, such as sensor and central locking issues topped the repair request list costing an average of £809.59 for sensor repairs, £899.44 for central locking issues and £532.94 for repairs to the auxiliary battery (12V).
Meanwhile, suspension-related components such as wishbones (average repair request cost £1,229.64) also featured.
In fact, according to the dataset, the only EV-specific repair category in the top five was related to the onboard charger, highlighting the importance of charging systems in real-world EV ownership. The average cost for this repair request was £2,158.75.
| Position | Failure area | Failure part | Average repair request cost | Most expensive repair request cost |
| 1 | Electrical system | Sensors | £809.59 | £3,270.00 |
| 2 | Electrical system | Central locking mechanism | £899.44 | £4,056.82 |
| 3 | EV | On-board charger | £2,158.75 | £10,454.98 |
| 4 | Suspension | Wishbones | £1,229.64 | £4,118.65 |
| 5 | Electrical system | Auxiliary battery (12V battery) | £532.94 | £986.15 |
Warrantywise added that the UK used EV market is now large enough to provide clear insights on ownership and repair trends.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), used battery electric vehicle transactions rose 45.7% in 2025 to a record 274,815 units, increasing their share of the UK used car market from 2.5% in 2024 to 3.5% in 2025.
The company also noted the rising demand for used EV warranties. Warrantywise EV warranty sales rose by 68.2% from 2024 to 2025. The business has two extended warranties for electric vehicles. The EV or EV + plan levels are based on the age of vehicle, make and mileage.
Antony Diggins, managing director, said: “The main battery on an EV is understandably the first thing many used EV buyers think about, but our data shows that the everyday components still matter. A good used EV purchase should include the same checks you would make on any used car, plus a closer look at charging systems. As confidence in the used EV market continues to grow, more drivers are recognising the value of an extended warranty. For used EV buyers, a warranty plan can help manage the cost of unexpected, potentially expensive repairs.”
