Analysis of Autodata information has revealed the EV and hybrid models that have had the most repair searches in Europe over the last 12 months.
Based on data from the Autodata platform, offers a deep insight into which EV and hybrid models encounter the most mechanical problems. This information will benefit technicians, allowing them to prepare for the vehicles most likely to enter their workshops.
EV and hybrid models increasing
The UK continues to see the number of EV and hybrid models on the country’s roads increase. In the latest UK car parc data, released by the SMMT, 7.6% of all cars on UK roads featured an electrified powertrain by the end of 2023.
This equates to around 2.7 million passenger cars. Although this is a small amount of the 35.7 million total, it is up by around 700,000 compared to the previous year. With EVs seen as an investment, drivers will likely hold on to their vehicles for longer, adding to an ageing car parc and increasing the chances of EV or hybrid models coming into the independent aftermarket.
In addition, many carmakers are scaling down their standard petrol and diesel offerings. While headlines about EV uptake slowing continue to dominate the pages of many tabloids, the hybrid market has shown no sign of slowing, suggesting electrification of the automotive market will continue, even if all-electric registrations stabilise.
The UK top ten EV and hybrid repairs
According to the hybrid data from Autodata, in the UK, the Mitsubishi Outlander is the most searched for model in terms of repair information, with 54,282 searches. This is followed by the Toyota Yaris, Toyota C-HR and Toyota Corolla.
With Toyota a pioneer of the hybrid mass market, it is no surprise to see them take three of the top four positions. Their lower price point makes them attractive to consumers and fleets, increasing their numbers on the roads.
The top 10 hybrid models in repair search data are:
- Mitsubishi Outlander
- Toyota Yaris
- Toyota C-HR
- Toyota Corolla
- Ford Puma
- Fiat 500/500C
- Kia Niro
- Mercedes-Benz C Class
- Hyundai Ioniq
- Toyota Auris
In the electric vehicle segment, the Nissan Leaf is the undisputed leader, with over 20,164 searches carried out by UK garages.
The Leaf is the world’s first mass market electric vehicle. Unveiled in 2010, its affordable price and sufficient range contribute to its popularity with UK motorists. The Renault Zoe, Tesla Model 3, Kia e-Niro and the Jaguar I-Pace complete the top five most-repaired electric models.
The top 10 EVs in Autodata’s findings are:
- Nissan Leaf
- Renault Zoe
- Tesla Model 3
- Kia e-Niro
- Jaguar I-Pace
- Open/Vauxhall Corsa F
- Hyundai Kona
- Peugeot e-2008
- BMW i3
- Audi e-tron
Opportunities ahead
“The UK stands at a crossroads in its automotive journey,” commented James Lett, Senior Technical Editor at Autodata. “The shift to EV and hybrid models presents a fantastic opportunity for car technicians to learn new skills – but lack of financial means threatens to stall this progress.
“Shutting down and handling high-voltage batteries safely requires specialist training and equipment and there is no government investment to change that. Not only does this mean garages are losing money by turning down business, EV and hybrid drivers can’t access the services they need to safely be on the road.”
Lett also highlighted how the increase in EV and hybrid models could cause problems for UK workshops without the proper support. “Despite the EV market slightly stalling, drivers are still keen to purchase EV and hybrid models, but there is a European-wide issue in repairing these vehicles,” he commented.
“In the UK, we need more government support to ensure garages stay equipped to service the EV market so climate conscious drivers can stay on the roads. We urge the government to work alongside the industry to bridge this gap and unlock the full potential of the electric revolution.”
