Types of EV Warranties in the UK

• General : 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

Common Coverage:

• Mechanical and electrical components
• EV battery health and capacity (minimum 70% in most cases)
• Manufacturer defects in materials or workmanship

Warranty Exclusions:

• Damage caused by accidents, misuse, or modifications
• Lack of maintenance or use of non-approved parts
• Damage from environmental factors such as flooding, fire, extreme temperatures, or rodent infestation
• Normal wear and tear (e.g., brake pads, tyres, wiper blades)
• Degradation of battery capacity below the threshold after the warranty period has ended

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

• 7 years / 80,000 miles full vehicle warranty
• Battery guaranteed to retain minimum 70% capacity

• 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)

• 4 years / 50,000 miles vehicle warranty
• 8 years / 100,000–150,000 miles battery & drive unit (model dependent)

• 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

• 6 years full vehicle warranty
• 8 years / 125,000 miles battery 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)

• 3 years / 60,000 miles vehicle warranty
• 8 years / 100,000 miles battery warranty

• 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

• 3 years unlimited mileage full vehicle warranty
• 8 years / 100,000 miles battery 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