Nissan Leaf claims the title of UK’s most reliable electric vehicle, according to new data from one of the country’s largest warranty providers.
Warranty Services Group analyzed thousands of warranty claims across more than a dozen electric models. The Leaf recorded the fewest claims and among the lowest average repair costs.
The veteran EV – on sale longer than virtually any other electric car – posted a claim rate of just 3.06% with an average payout of £300.10.
That’s impressive for a car using what’s now considered aging technology. The Leaf has been the granddaddy of mainstream EVs since hitting UK roads in 2010.
MG ZS Takes Second Place
The MG ZS finished second despite offering cheaper average repairs at £225.90. However, it suffered a higher claim rate of 4.76%.
Audi’s first-generation e-tron rounded out the top three most dependable electric cars. It recorded a 5.56% claim rate with average repair costs of £309.72.
WSG specializes in coverage after manufacturer warranties expire. That means their list focuses heavily on early EV models.
The now-discontinued Renault Zoe sits in fourth place. The Volkswagen ID.3 takes fifth.
Tesla Model S Struggles
The Tesla Model S earned the unfortunate distinction of UK’s least reliable EV in WSG’s data.
Tesla’s first UK offering recorded a disappointing 50% claim rate with an average cost of £703 per repair.
The Volkswagen E-Golf and Kia E-Niro also struggled near the bottom of reliability rankings. That’s the original E-Niro, not the later Niro EV model.
Vauxhall Corsa’s Costly Repairs
Perhaps surprisingly, the Vauxhall Corsa posted the highest average claim cost at £2,261.
A handful of large individual claims skewed that figure upward. The most expensive single repair hit £6,219 to replace an entire electric drive system.
That represents the biggest individual EV claim in WSG’s data. A £4,500 charging control module replacement in a Jaguar I-Pace and a £3,800 charger converter swap in a Porsche Taycan followed behind.
Common EV Problems
EV charge ports generated the most common warranty payouts. They accounted for 3.01% of claims with an average cost of £119.96.
On-board charging systems represented one of only two EV-specific faults among the five most common issues. Just 2.26% of claims involved charging systems, but the average payout reached a substantial £1,021.
The remaining failures affected components shared with petrol and diesel cars:
- Tyre pressure monitoring systems
- Air conditioning condensers
- 12V auxiliary batteries
WSG’s data covers 13 all-electric models for which it provides aftermarket warranties. The sample size remains limited but instructive.
The coming years will likely shift these reliability rankings. More manufacturer warranties will expire on a growing variety of models as secondhand dealers seek aftermarket warranty coverage for customers.
