IMI report reveals worrying EV failure rate
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has revealed that electric vehicles (EVs) are 40% more likely to fail an MOT because of poor tyre condition than petrol cars.
The IMI has attributed this to the greater average weight of EVs compared to other vehicles.
They also stated that the greater amount of torque produced by electric powered cars could also accelerate the degradation of tyres – particularly from a standing start or heavy braking.
Department for Transport (DfT) data from 2015 to 2018 revealed that 46% of EV MOT failures were caused by tyres. Over the same time period, only 32% of MOT failures could be attributed to tyres for petrol cars.
Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI, said: “Most electrics are electric versions of petrol and diesel, so they are relatively heavy, and it doesn’t really matter what you do with different tyre mixes, they are simply going to wear tyres more.”
Meanwhile, newer EVs are also more likely to fail an MOT than their petrol equivalents, with 2021 data finding a failure rate of 11.39% among EVs compared to 10.74% for petrol cars.
This comes after the IMI reported an anticipated 16,000 shortfall in qualified mechanics by 2032.
Nash said: “If people don’t think they can get their car fixed, that’s as much of a reason not to buy one as not having a network of charging points. There’s always that risk that somebody will decide to have a go at it, and think ‘how difficult can it be anyway?’, and that’s when you open yourself up to injury, or worse.”
