Types of EV Warranties in the UK

• General Vehicle Warranty: Typically 3–7 years depending on the brand (e.g., 7 years for Kia and MG)
• EV Battery Warranty UK: Usually 8 years or 100,000–150,000 miles
• Drivetrain (Motor, Inverter): Often included with battery warranty
• Paint and Corrosion: Typically 3–12 years (Different by brand)
• Infotainment/Electronics: 2–3 years standard We’ve previously looked at EV warranties and why they matter. In the UK, replacing an EV battery can cost as much as £15,000—and other components in an EV can be costly too. That’s why it’s crucial to understand and protect all parts of your warranty. Before buying a second-hand EV, you can use ClearWatt’s EV Check Plus to see what’s left on both the vehicle and battery warranties.

Understanding EV and Battery Warranty Coverage and Exclusions EV Warranty Coverage vs Battery Warranty Coverage

General Vehicle Warranty Coverage

• Mechanical and electrical systems (excluding battery)
• Infotainment systems
• Suspension, steering, braking components
• Manufacturing defects in materials or workmanship

EV Battery Warranty Coverage

• Battery health (e.g. capacity retention above 70%)
• Manufacturing faults in the high-voltage battery pack

Warranty Exclusions:

General Vehicle Warranty Exclusions

• Damage from accidents, neglect, or unauthorised modifications
• Wear and tear (e.g. tyres, wiper blades, brake pads)
• Servicing done by unauthorised providers
• Environmental damage (flooding, fire, rodent damage)

Battery Warranty Exclusions

• Battery degradation below the specified threshold after the warranty period
• Use of non-approved chargers or V2H (Vehicle-to-Home) applications
• Consistently improper charging or storage habits
• Tampering with battery systems or high-voltage components

What Can Void an EV Warranty?

Behaviours That May Void a Vehicle Warranty:

• Missing scheduled services or using non-approved service centres
• Fitting aftermarket suspension, wheels, or electronics
• Hacking or modifying the infotainment or ADAS software
• Installing unapproved tow bars, roof boxes, or electrical systems
• Failing to address dashboard warning lights or fault codes

Behaviours That May Void a Battery Warranty:

• Tampering with the battery pack or high-voltage system
• Charging with non-approved equipment or fast charging using unsafe public EV chargers UK
• Using the vehicle for racing, off-roading, or as a home power supply (V2H)
• Allowing the battery to degrade due to improper use—such as consistently ignoring manufacturer guidelines on charging, storage, or maintenance, resulting in EV battery degradation rate

Warranty Terms and What Voids Them (EV and Battery)

MG EV Warranty

• Servicing or repairs not carried out by MG or approved service partners
• Use of non-OEM charging equipment (e.g., third-party cables or plugs)
• Any modifications to the battery or drivetrain
• Misuse such as overloading or racing
• Failure to follow MG’s maintenance schedule as per the handbook

Tesla EV Warranty (UK)

• Unauthorised hardware or software modifications
• Ignoring system alerts or failing to act on warnings
• Use of non-Tesla parts, accessories, or charging infrastructure
• Use in motorsport applications or with non-approved V2H (Vehicle-to-Home) equipment
• Not adhering to Tesla's service and maintenance guidance

BYD Warranty

• Hardware or software modifications not authorised by BYD
• Use of accessories not approved by the manufacturer
• Driving misuse (e.g., overloading, aggressive driving)
• Use of incompatible or unapproved charging methods
• Non-compliance with BYD’s usage and maintenance instructions

Audi EV Warranty (Q4, Q8 e-tron)

• Modifications to the battery, chassis, or software not authorised by Audi
• Servicing conducted outside the Audi approved network
• Skipping software updates, service intervals, or required maintenance
• Damage due to flooding, collisions, or user negligence
• Failing to follow Audi’s guidelines in the owner’s manual

BMW i Series Warranty

• Use in motorsport, stunt driving, or excessive battery strain
• Unauthorised alterations to infotainment or control software
• Ignoring mandatory recall fixes or firmware updates
• Repeated deep discharge events (e.g., running the battery to 0% regularly)
• Failure to follow BMW’s prescribed use and maintenance instructions

Summary Table: What Voids an EV Warranty (UK Market)

Best Practices to Protect Your EV Warranty

• Service your EV on time at approved centres
• Use only approved parts and accessories
• Install software updates promptly
• Keep all vehicle systems unmodified
• Avoid extreme driving and deep dischargesMaintain moderate driving habits and prevent complete battery drain
• Maintain a full service record with receipts
• Keep detailed service records, including all receipts
• Repeated fast charging should be limited unless outlined as acceptable in the manufacturer’s guidelines

Conclusion: Protect your Electric Vehicle