If a component has failed due to a manufacturing fault, then if the car is still within warranty it should be replaced free of charge. However, you will be liable for the replacement of damaged parts or those that have failed outside of the manufacturer’s guarantee.
Electric car servicing costs and maintenance plans
With far fewer components that require attention and the elimination of costly and labour-intensive service items, such as oil, filters and a cambelt, maintenance costs can be much lower on an EV. In some cases the cost of a trip to the dealer can be as much as half that of a petrol or diesel.
As ever, there are two ways to pay for maintenance – in a single, one-off payment at each service, or with a prepaid plan. The latter is becoming increasingly popular, as not only does it allow you to budget ahead, it’s normally possible to pay the cost monthly or, if buying new, by bundling the cost of the servicing into your finance payments.
To give you an idea of the costs involved, we’ve compiled a table showing indicative costs of EV service plan prices compared to similar plans for ICE cars. Obviously you’ll need to contact your dealer for an exact price on your particular car.
Manufacturer/model Length of plan Cost
Audi E-tron and e-tron Sportback (EV): Two years/variable miles £399
Audi Q5, Audi Q7, Audi Q8 petrol and diesel (engines over 2.0-litres): Two years/variable miles £660
BMW i3: Three years/variable miles £540
BMW 1 Series, petrol and diesel: Three years/variable miles £720
Kia Soul EV: Two years/20,000 miles £239
