Warrantywise publishes commonest used EV faults

The five commonest faults encountered on used EVs have been revealed in data published by Warrantywise.

The used automotive warranty provider said an evaluation of its repair request data showed that vehicle sensors were probably the most common problem area, ahead of central locking mechanism, onboard charger, suspension wishbones and 12V battery.

It said sensor repairs cost £809.59 on average, with the respective figures £899.44 for the central locking, £2,158.75 for the onboard charger, £1,229.64 for the wishbones and £532.94 for the 12V battery.

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Warrantywise argued that its data might surprise buyers, for the reason that EV drive battery didn’t appear in its top-five list – even though it noted that the common cost of repairing this battery when it did go fallacious was £6,435.38.

It said that its warranty sales for used EVs had risen by 68.2% year-on-year in 2025.

Data provides ‘essential message’ for dealers

Antony Diggins, managing director at Warrantywise, said: “For a lot of used EV buyers, the battery remains to be the most important perceived concern, but our repair request data shows a more balanced picture. Essentially the most regular repair requests we see are linked to familiar used automotive components, from sensors and central locking to suspension and aux batteries, fairly than the EV battery itself.

“That’s a vital message for dealers. It gives sales teams a clearer approach to discuss used EV ownership with customers, helping to scale back misconceptions without downplaying the indisputable fact that repair costs can still be significant.

“With average repair request costs for items equivalent to onboard chargers and suspension components running into 4 figures, an EV-specific prolonged warranty can play a vital role in supporting buyer confidence at point of sale.

“For automotive dealers, used EVs represent a growing opportunity, but confidence is critical. The dealers that may explain the real-world repair picture clearly, and offer appropriate warranty alongside the vehicle, can be higher placed to convert interest into sales and construct long-term customer trust.”