Do Electric Cars Need MOT & Servicing?

Just like any vehicle on the roads, electric cars need MOTs and servicing. MOTs are a legal requirement for any car over three years old, and servicing ensures your car is in perfect working order whilst retaining its value.

Electric car servicing and MOTs offer a similar experience for the driver, but there are a few differences when it comes to the work being carried out. You don’t have to worry about this though - just book your electric car in for a service or MOT, drop it off and we handle the rest.

The beauty of electric cars is that there are fewer working parts. There’s no engine, fuel system or complex gearbox to contend with, so a lot less can go wrong.

Explore our guide below to learn everything you need to know about electric car MOTs and servicing as we delve into frequently asked questions about EV maintenance.

Yes, electric cars need an MOT just like traditional ICE vehicles. You don’t need an MOT until three years after the date of registration so if you’ve bought from new or chosen a nearly new or delivery mileage car, you may have a few years before you need to book an MOT for your EV.

The MOT process for you as the driver is pretty much the same.

1. You book your car in at an approved Pentagon Group service centre
2. Then you drop your car off
   
   1. Make sure your car is fully charged
3. Our specialist technicians carry out a set of detailed tests on your EV
4. You receive the results
   
   1. If it passes, you’re good to go
   2. If it’s a fail, you’ll find out why and receive a quote for the work needed

Your electric car’s MOT differs from traditional ICE vehicles in what is tested. Unlike petrol & diesel engines, there’s no engine oil, transmission fluid, fuel filters, complex gearbox etc.

Your electric car is logged into the MOT test system. But as it produces zero tailpipe emissions, it skips the initial emissions test.

We check all the lights are working properly including headlights, daytime running lights, brake lights, hazard lights etc. This ensures that they are working and are at the appropriate brightness level.

Next, we take a look at the windscreen wipers and seatbelts to ensure they’re okay.

Then we check the windows and windscreen for damage, including chips and cracks.

Steering and suspension are tested next to guarantee safe and secure handling.

Tyres are a big deal for electric cars as they have a big effect on efficiency and driving range. We check over your tyres to ensure the tread is at an optimum level as well as looking for damage or uneven wear.

Electric cars are typically heavier than ICE models of a similar size, so tyre wear occurs faster.

The braking system is another important factor for electric car MOTs due to regenerative braking. This system recuperates energy when braking and turns it into electric power. That’s why it’s important to have perfectly working and safe brakes for electric cars.

Brake fluid may need to be topped up more frequently due to the heavy use of regenerative braking.

Battery health, the condition of the electric motor and other systems are tested to ensure they’re working safely.

The battery is tested to see if it stores enough power to start the car and run at least four headlamps.

Your charging port is checked for damage, leaks or dirt ingress. The average electric car charging port is made with very high IP ratings (Ingress Protection) of around IP67. For more information on this, read our guide to charging your electric car in the rain.

There’s a small list of vehicles that are exempt from MOT tests. Among cars and motorbikes made before 1960 and tractors, electric goods vehicles are also fully exempt from MOTs.

For any work on your car, whether it’s electric, hybrid or fully petrol, always come to an approved service centre like Pentagon Group.

We’re backed by the official manufacturer and only use genuine OEM parts with specialist technicians.

Our locations across #branchServiceCounty# are all fully trained in working on electric cars, including servicing and MOTs.

All electric cars need regular servicing. Whilst this isn’t a legal requirement like having a valid MOT, it is imperative to guarantee years of worry-free driving.

Keeping to your service schedule keeps your car in perfect working condition and helps to spot faults early.

Much like with MOTs, the process for you as the driver is the same. 

1. You book your service at an approved Pentagon Group service centre
2. You bring your car
3. Our expert technicians check over your EV
4. We hand your electric car back with a main dealer stamp in your service book

There are fewer moving parts in an EV so the checks carried out are different to an ICE service. Some parts of the service are more important for an EV as they affect your driving range, including tyre condition, climate control and brakes.

There are several high-voltage inspections and checks carried out on the cables, battery cover and charging port to ensure safety.

The motor/inverter coolant is also checked and changed if necessary. This typically happens every 10 years or 100,000 miles.

The battery and motor usually don’t need much maintenance. But as they’re vital to the safe and efficient working of your car, our technicians check over them to make sure they’re working perfectly.

If your heating and cooling system aren’t working at maximum efficiency, your driving range may be reduced. This makes climate control a big part of an EV service.

Just like with an MOT, your brakes are checked in an EV service. This helps to maintain your regenerative braking system’s efficiency, in turn keeping your driving range at its highest level.

As mentioned before, EVs are heavier than comparable ICE models so tyres typically wear faster. This makes tyre checks a vital part of your EV service.

Your suspension may also undergo increased wear due to the heavier weight of your electric car. That’s why we check over your springs and dampeners thoroughly.

Even electric cars need oils and coolants. This includes transmission oil and battery coolant which will be topped up if needed (typically less often than petrol and diesel cars.)

Electric cars don’t need a special service. Just book in at your local Pentagon Group service centre for your chosen type of service, whether it’s interim, minor or major, and we’ll do the rest.

Check out our guide on electric car servicing for more detailed information.

Regular servicing maintains your car’s value in the long run, especially when the services are carried out by approved service centres and main dealers.

Having a yearly check on your electric car also ensures any potential faults are spotted early and fixed before they become a larger problem.

Speak with our friendly specialists to learn more about electric MOTs and servicing.