BYD Atto 3 long-term test: report 6

The car BYD Atto 3 Run by Chris Haining, Sub-editor

Why it’s here To find out whether an unfamiliar brand can show established names a thing or two when it comes to comfortable, practical and cost-effective electric motoring.

Needs to Cope with a long motorway commute, accommodate an active lifestyle and be easy to live with day to day

Mileage 5742 List price £38,990 Target Price £38,990 Price as tested £38,990 Official range 260 miles Test range 200-234 miles

23 October 2023 – Communication breakdown

A gremlin that I need to address with my BYD Atto 3 is that it sometimes loses communication with its key fob. Not only does this mean I can't unlock the car remotely, but it also means there's no way to lock it.

What's more, in order to start the car in these circumstances, I have to put the key in a very specific place at the bottom of the central storage cubby. The bonus is that I always know where the key is. 

The other day, though, when my Atto 3 actually was recognising its key, I very much wished it wasn't. You see, I had started the car before realising I needed something from inside the house, so I climbed out, opened the front door, went upstairs and got what I needed, then returned to the car and drove off.

I was 80 miles down the road when my wife phoned me to say I had left all of my keys – including my car key – hanging from the front door keyhole

Of course, with no key with which to restart it, I'd be marooned wherever I stopped the car. Ironically, though, if I’d had to put the key in that specific location, I wouldn’t have been able to drive off without it.

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