High-Mileage EVs May Be More Durable Than Gas CarsAutoweekNatalie NeffTue, September 22, 2026 at 11:36 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleHigh-Mileage EVs May Be More Durable Than Gas CarsCeri Breeze - Getty ImagesOne of the biggest questions surrounding electric vehicles has always been what happens after the first several years of ownership, say, after the odometer rolls into six figures. Well, we may have the start of an answer. A new study from the United Kingdom says high-mileage EVs actually appear to be more durable than comparable gasoline-powered vehicles.The study, conducted by transportation consultancy New AutoMotive on behalf of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), analyzed 47.4 million Ministry of Transport (MOT) inspection records to compare the long-term roadworthiness of both electric and gasoline vehicles.For American buyers, it's worth noting that the findings are based entirely on vehicles in the UK and the country's required annual MOT inspections, which evaluate items such as brakes, suspension, tires, and other safety-related components. The results don't necessarily translate directly to the US market, where vehicle fleets, driving patterns, and inspection requirements differ. Still, the transparent size of the dataset gives us one of the clearest looks yet at how modern EVs hold up as mileage climbs.Oliver Strewe - Getty ImagesThe researchers found little difference between EVs and gas-powered cars during their early years on the road. But after about 40,000 miles, the gap began to widen in favor of electric vehicles.AdvertisementAdvertisementBetween 90,000 and 120,000 miles, EVs were roughly 25 percent less likely to fail an MOT inspection than gasoline cars of the same age. Beyond 120,000 miles, about 16 percent of EVs failed compared with 23.5 percent of gasoline-powered vehicles.The study also examined models sold with either electric or gasoline powertrains, finding that the battery-electric versions generally matched or outperformed their gasoline counterparts in overall reliability.Hearst OwnedResearchers attributed much of the advantage to the relative mechanical simplicity of electric drivetrains, which eliminate many of the components that wear over time in internal-combustion vehicles.That doesn't mean EVs are maintenance-free.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe study found electric vehicles were significantly more likely to experience tire wear, largely because battery packs add weight. Curiously, older, low-mileage EVs showed a higher incidence of brake problems, something researchers said was likely caused by regenerative braking reducing the need to use the conventional brakes—in other words, the brakes would rust from lack of use.coldsnowstorm - Getty ImagesOne important limitation is that the study did not evaluate battery health because Britain's MOT inspections don't measure battery capacity or degradation.The findings nevertheless should give used-car shoppers some assurance as more first-generation EVs enter the market. According to BVRLA, buyers shouldn't automatically dismiss an EV simply because it has a six-figure odometer reading, at least in the UK.For US shoppers, the study isn't definitive proof that every high-mileage EV will outlast its gasoline counterpart. But it does suggest that concerns about the long-term durability of modern electric vehicles may be overstated, provided they're properly maintained.