Leading used-car warranty firm Warrantywise says batteries didn’t even make its top five used EV repair requests, with more usual car issues topping the list of faults.
The big battery is usually the first thing people worry about when buying a used electric car; it’s understandable, too, as it’s the most expensive bit of the car, the one people know least about and the part most likely to prompt a sharp intake of breath when someone mentions a potential repair bill.
But new data from Warrantywise suggests that battery faults aren’t the most common problem for second-hand EV owners.
The company analysed EV repair requests between January 2023 and January 2026 and found that battery-related issues didn’t appear in its top five. Instead, the list is dominated by the sort of things that can go wrong with almost any car, electric or otherwise.
At the top were electrical system faults involving sensors, with an average repair request cost of £809.59. The most expensive sensor-related claim in the data reached £3,270.
Central locking mechanisms came second, with an average repair request cost of £899, while the highest individual claim came for a central locking system came in at £4,057. A 12V auxiliary battery – the smaller battery used to run many of a car’s everyday electrical systems – was fifth on the list, with an average repair request of £533.
Suspension wishbones were fourth, with average repair requests costing £1,230. Again, it’s the kind of wear-and-tear issue that’ll be familiar to drivers of petrol, diesel and hybrid cars, too.
The only electric-car-specific component in Warrantywise’s top five was the on-board charger. This converts AC electricity from a charging point into DC power used by the battery, and is not a part of the main high-voltage battery itself. It had the highest average repair request cost in the list at £2,159, while the biggest individual claim reached £10,455.
The data comes as the used EV market continues to grow. According to official SMMT figures used battery-electric car transactions rose by 45.7 per cent in 2025 to a record 274,815 cars, taking their share of the overall used-car market from 2.5 per cent in 2024 to 3.5 per cent last year. Warrantywise says its own EV warranty sales rose by 68.2 per cent between 2024 and 2025.
Antony Diggins, Managing Director at Warrantywise, 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.”
Warrantywise sells EV-specific extended warranty plans, covering components including the on-board charger, auxiliary battery, traction motor and various electrical systems, with repairs assessed on a case-by-case basis.
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