Least reliable electric cars

The three least reliable electric cars

3. Hyundai Ioniq Electric (2016-present)

Reliability rating: 84.4%

The 12-volt battery, non-motor electrics and sat-nav/infotainment system were the main areas of concern for the 20% of Ioniq Electric owners whose cars went wrong. The issues left 21% of the cars undriveable, and two-thirds spent more than a week off the road. All work was done for free, though. 

Read our full Hyundai Ioniq review >>

2. Jaguar I-Pace (2018-present)

Reliability rating: 81.5%

A range of maladies afflicted 36% of the I-Paces we were told about, with the main areas of concern being the 12-volt battery, non-motor electrics and sat-nav/infotainment system. These issues kept two-thirds of cars out of action for more than a week, although 98% of them were rectified for free under warranty. 

Read our full Jaguar I-Pace review >>

1. Tesla Model S (2014-present)

Reliability rating: 78.9%

What went wrong? Bodywork 21%, non-motor electrics 15%, suspension 10%, sat-nav 8%, interior trim 5%, air-con 3%, battery 3%, motor electrics 3%

The Model S has one of the highest fault rates in our survey, with 44% of the cars we were told about going wrong. Problem areas included the bodywork, sat-nav/infotainment system, interior trim, non-motor electrics and suspension. Three-quarters of repairs were done for free, but some owners paid out up to £1500, and 45% of affected cars were out of action for more than a week. 

Owner’s view "Build quality and reliability are very poor, and the heater doesn’t always work, which makes it difficult to demist the windscreen"

Read our full Tesla Model S review >>

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