How reliable are electric cars?
Discussion
Heres Johnny said:
babatunde said:
Question should probably ask if they are more reliable than ICE cars.
Answer is "we don't have a large enough subset to determine with any real accuracy" logic would support though that they would be more reliable than the equivalent ICE car due to fewer moving parts. The service schedules would support this hypothesis.
Once there are a few million on the road for 20+ years we will have a clearer view.
Service schedules don’t support it, Tesla recommend 12 months or 12.5k miles, that’s a lot more often than my last BMW. They don’t invalidate warranty if you don’t get it serviced, but that’s not the same as saying it shows they’re more reliable.Answer is "we don't have a large enough subset to determine with any real accuracy" logic would support though that they would be more reliable than the equivalent ICE car due to fewer moving parts. The service schedules would support this hypothesis.
Once there are a few million on the road for 20+ years we will have a clearer view.
Given time they will be, and maybe it’s just Tesla, but Tesla are constantly rolling out software fixes and require the odd service centre visit.
Every 12,500 miles..
> Key fob battery replacement
> Multi-point inspection
> Tyre rotation (if needed)
> Wheel alignment check (and adjustment, if needed)
> Wiper blade set replacement
On the first 12,500 mile service there is also a drive unit fluids check.
Every 25,000 mile add..
> A/C desiccant bag replacement
> Battery coolant replacement
> Brake fluid replacement
> Cabin air filter replacement
feef said:
8K+ for a 2013 onwards is not really stretching a 'little bit' it's 25% more.
I've looked at both, and for the vast majority of my journeys (5 miles each way to work with maybe a detour via the school, and 40 miles on a saturday) the difference in range isn't a massive issue.
Is there an issue with the electric parking brake?
I paid £8900 for a 15K mile battery owned 2013 acenta 6.6 2 years ago. I'm sure you can get one for well under 8K now. Keep an eye on the speakev classifieds.I've looked at both, and for the vast majority of my journeys (5 miles each way to work with maybe a detour via the school, and 40 miles on a saturday) the difference in range isn't a massive issue.
Is there an issue with the electric parking brake?
Electric parking brakes are very expensive if they go wrong.
Edited by TooLateForAName on Tuesday 24th October 14:52
98elise said:
There isn't much involved in a Tesla service though
Every 12,500 miles..
> Key fob battery replacement
> Multi-point inspection
> Tyre rotation (if needed)
> Wheel alignment check (and adjustment, if needed)
> Wiper blade set replacement
On the first 12,500 mile service there is also a drive unit fluids check.
Every 25,000 mile add..
> A/C desiccant bag replacement
> Battery coolant replacement
> Brake fluid replacement
> Cabin air filter replacement
Most car services are like that, they inspect a lot more than they actually change things. They’re looking for things that are starting to go astray and make adjustments. It’s not unusual for a motor unit to be replaced. Every 12,500 miles..
> Key fob battery replacement
> Multi-point inspection
> Tyre rotation (if needed)
> Wheel alignment check (and adjustment, if needed)
> Wiper blade set replacement
On the first 12,500 mile service there is also a drive unit fluids check.
Every 25,000 mile add..
> A/C desiccant bag replacement
> Battery coolant replacement
> Brake fluid replacement
> Cabin air filter replacement
My gen 1 Leaf has just passed 50K still with 11 battery bars. 1st one lost at 24K, so expecting to loose another soon.
Aircon pump has failed £1100 so looking out for a 2nd hand one. Driver's window slow in cold weather. New discs and pads for MOT else no other problems. Electric hand brake releases with a bit of a thump some times but no pattern to it.
Interested to know if any Leafs have had their batteries replaced or just cells. Or any power electronics or motor failures.
Aircon pump has failed £1100 so looking out for a 2nd hand one. Driver's window slow in cold weather. New discs and pads for MOT else no other problems. Electric hand brake releases with a bit of a thump some times but no pattern to it.
Interested to know if any Leafs have had their batteries replaced or just cells. Or any power electronics or motor failures.
granada203028 said:
My gen 1 Leaf has just passed 50K still with 11 battery bars. 1st one lost at 24K, so expecting to loose another soon.
Aircon pump has failed £1100 so looking out for a 2nd hand one. Driver's window slow in cold weather. New discs and pads for MOT else no other problems. Electric hand brake releases with a bit of a thump some times but no pattern to it.
Interested to know if any Leafs have had their batteries replaced or just cells. Or any power electronics or motor failures.
The only failures that I'm aware of have been in the hotter US states. The leaf battery doesnt have active cooling and there have been failures in texas/arizona summers.Aircon pump has failed £1100 so looking out for a 2nd hand one. Driver's window slow in cold weather. New discs and pads for MOT else no other problems. Electric hand brake releases with a bit of a thump some times but no pattern to it.
Interested to know if any Leafs have had their batteries replaced or just cells. Or any power electronics or motor failures.
granada203028 said:
My gen 1 Leaf has just passed 50K still with 11 battery bars. 1st one lost at 24K, so expecting to loose another soon.
Aircon pump has failed £1100 so looking out for a 2nd hand one. Driver's window slow in cold weather. New discs and pads for MOT else no other problems. Electric hand brake releases with a bit of a thump some times but no pattern to it.
Interested to know if any Leafs have had their batteries replaced or just cells. Or any power electronics or motor failures.
Does seem to be a big difference between gen 1 and 2 with battery wear. My Gen2 (2013) is over 35k now and still on full battery bars.Aircon pump has failed £1100 so looking out for a 2nd hand one. Driver's window slow in cold weather. New discs and pads for MOT else no other problems. Electric hand brake releases with a bit of a thump some times but no pattern to it.
Interested to know if any Leafs have had their batteries replaced or just cells. Or any power electronics or motor failures.
There's a second hand pump on ebay that might do you for under £200 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2014-Nissan-Leaf-Air-Con...
andrewrob said:
granada203028 said:
My gen 1 Leaf has just passed 50K still with 11 battery bars. 1st one lost at 24K, so expecting to loose another soon.
Aircon pump has failed £1100 so looking out for a 2nd hand one. Driver's window slow in cold weather. New discs and pads for MOT else no other problems. Electric hand brake releases with a bit of a thump some times but no pattern to it.
Interested to know if any Leafs have had their batteries replaced or just cells. Or any power electronics or motor failures.
Does seem to be a big difference between gen 1 and 2 with battery wear. My Gen2 (2013) is over 35k now and still on full battery bars.Aircon pump has failed £1100 so looking out for a 2nd hand one. Driver's window slow in cold weather. New discs and pads for MOT else no other problems. Electric hand brake releases with a bit of a thump some times but no pattern to it.
Interested to know if any Leafs have had their batteries replaced or just cells. Or any power electronics or motor failures.
There's a second hand pump on ebay that might do you for under £200 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2014-Nissan-Leaf-Air-Con...
For a Gen1 Jap Built car you need 92600 1MG0A, Retail £915.45 + Vat.
Price pretty much the norm for an OE A/c Comp on a Japaneese brand vehicle.
Heres Johnny said:
babatunde said:
Question should probably ask if they are more reliable than ICE cars.
Answer is "we don't have a large enough subset to determine with any real accuracy" logic would support though that they would be more reliable than the equivalent ICE car due to fewer moving parts. The service schedules would support this hypothesis.
Once there are a few million on the road for 20+ years we will have a clearer view.
Service schedules don’t support it, Tesla recommend 12 months or 12.5k miles, that’s a lot more often than my last BMW. They don’t invalidate warranty if you don’t get it serviced, but that’s not the same as saying it shows they’re more reliable.Answer is "we don't have a large enough subset to determine with any real accuracy" logic would support though that they would be more reliable than the equivalent ICE car due to fewer moving parts. The service schedules would support this hypothesis.
Once there are a few million on the road for 20+ years we will have a clearer view.
Given time they will be, and maybe it’s just Tesla, but Tesla are constantly rolling out software fixes and require the odd service centre visit.
Tesla service schedules are designed to get footfall into the dealership and generate income not because you need to rotate tyres or replace wipers at 12.5k, do Merc or BMW do that?
Nissan service interval for a Leaf is 12month or 18k.
1st Service is routine mechanical checks plus Screen wash and Pollen filter
2nd is as above plus brake Fluid.
Mine had 2 rear tyres @ 35k, 2 fronts @ 40k, (3mm left) but wanted them replaced for winter.
had new wipers last month @ 58k when they reported Front discs and pads at less than 50% worn.
No other issues with the car in the 3 years I've had it. (Gen2 Acenta)
ncbbmw said:
Only faults related to EV batteries and drive train's are relevent as failure of other parts such as a shock absorber, window switch, wiper motor etc are all old tech that that are no different to anything else.
Tesla service schedules are designed to get footfall into the dealership and generate income not because you need to rotate tyres or replace wipers at 12.5k, do Merc or BMW do that?
Nissan service interval for a Leaf is 12month or 18k.
1st Service is routine mechanical checks plus Screen wash and Pollen filter
2nd is as above plus brake Fluid.
Mine had 2 rear tyres @ 35k, 2 fronts @ 40k, (3mm left) but wanted them replaced for winter.
had new wipers last month @ 58k when they reported Front discs and pads at less than 50% worn.
No other issues with the car in the 3 years I've had it. (Gen2 Acenta)
But that’s not really any different to an ICE. That’s my point. They may change the oil on an engine occasionally, but the rest of the service is the same. A car isn’t just an engine.Tesla service schedules are designed to get footfall into the dealership and generate income not because you need to rotate tyres or replace wipers at 12.5k, do Merc or BMW do that?
Nissan service interval for a Leaf is 12month or 18k.
1st Service is routine mechanical checks plus Screen wash and Pollen filter
2nd is as above plus brake Fluid.
Mine had 2 rear tyres @ 35k, 2 fronts @ 40k, (3mm left) but wanted them replaced for winter.
had new wipers last month @ 58k when they reported Front discs and pads at less than 50% worn.
No other issues with the car in the 3 years I've had it. (Gen2 Acenta)
Heres Johnny said:
98elise said:
There isn't much involved in a Tesla service though
Every 12,500 miles..
> Key fob battery replacement
> Multi-point inspection
> Tyre rotation (if needed)
> Wheel alignment check (and adjustment, if needed)
> Wiper blade set replacement
On the first 12,500 mile service there is also a drive unit fluids check.
Every 25,000 mile add..
> A/C desiccant bag replacement
> Battery coolant replacement
> Brake fluid replacement
> Cabin air filter replacement
Most car services are like that, they inspect a lot more than they actually change things. They’re looking for things that are starting to go astray and make adjustments. It’s not unusual for a motor unit to be replaced. Every 12,500 miles..
> Key fob battery replacement
> Multi-point inspection
> Tyre rotation (if needed)
> Wheel alignment check (and adjustment, if needed)
> Wiper blade set replacement
On the first 12,500 mile service there is also a drive unit fluids check.
Every 25,000 mile add..
> A/C desiccant bag replacement
> Battery coolant replacement
> Brake fluid replacement
> Cabin air filter replacement
The state of technology is such that if the car needs anything looking at or replacing it can communicate that fact to to the owner and Manufacturer.
babatunde said:
The big difference is that the 8 warranty doesn't require this to be done, so basically IMO they are taking the piss out of customers who are happy to pay for nothing. Why people opt to pay for something that they are telling you isn't necessary baffles me.
The state of technology is such that if the car needs anything looking at or replacing it can communicate that fact to to the owner and Manufacturer.
8 year warranty isn’t on the whole carThe state of technology is such that if the car needs anything looking at or replacing it can communicate that fact to to the owner and Manufacturer.
Servicing picks up wear and tare. If you’re happy shagging tyres at a faster rate than needed because something is out or breathing through a 3 year old pollen filter, carry on..
As for the original question...
https://www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey/
Tesla last but one.
Edited by Heres Johnny on Thursday 26th October 20:24
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