Electric car servicing
Published by the Serviced247 editorial teamLast reviewed 24 October 2026
Electric cars still need maintenance - they just need less of the maintenance that defined petrol and diesel servicing. No engine oil, no oil filter, no spark plugs, no exhaust, no cambelt, no clutch.
What remains is brakes, tyres, suspension, coolant circuits, filters, the low-voltage battery, software and the high-voltage system itself. This pillar explains what to expect, what it costs and who is qualified to do it.
What changes on an EV
- No engine oil service, oil filter, spark plugs, exhaust or cambelt
- Regenerative braking means friction brakes are used less - but discs can corrode from light use and still need inspecting
- Tyres wear faster: EVs are heavier and deliver torque instantly
- Battery and drive-unit coolant circuits, cabin filters and the 12V or low-voltage battery still need attention
- Software updates and high-voltage system health checks become part of routine maintenance
Fixed schedules versus condition-based maintenance
Most legacy manufacturers kept a familiar annual or mileage-based service for their EVs, with a shorter checklist. Tesla took a different approach and publishes individual maintenance items on their own intervals rather than an annual service.
Neither approach means "nothing to do". Check what your manufacturer publishes for your exact model and year rather than assuming an EV is maintenance-free.
Who is qualified to work on an EV
Any competent garage can change EV tyres, wipers or a cabin filter. Isolating and working on a high-voltage battery system requires technicians trained and equipped to do it safely, and not every garage is set up for that.
Ask directly what level of EV qualification the technicians hold, whether high-voltage work is done in-house or subcontracted, and whether the garage has worked on your model before.
Serviced247 does not hold verified records of which garages are EV-qualified. We will only list EV capability once we hold verified, sourced evidence for it.
MOT for electric cars
Electric cars need an MOT on the same timetable as any other car in Great Britain. The emissions element does not apply; every other check does. Any DVSA-authorised test station can test an EV.
Battery warranties and health
High-voltage battery warranties are separate from the vehicle warranty and usually run for a set number of years or miles with a stated capacity-retention threshold. The terms are set by the manufacturer's agreement.
Serviced247 makes no claims about any manufacturer's battery warranty coverage. Read your own warranty documentation.