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Do Electric Cars Need Servicing?

You need to book an electric car service regularly, just like any petrol or diesel car (ICE). While they are cheaper to maintain overall, you can’t neglect them. 

Taking care of your electric car (EV) will increase its lifespan and reliability. A full service history is just as important as with an ICE; it is only the intervals that are further apart.

You should book an electric car service every 1 to 2 years or after a set number of miles, depending on the manufacturer recommendations. These are designed to keep your car in top condition and should not be ignored.

 

Why Use BookMyGarage For Your Electric Car Service?

We have helped over 5 million drivers compare and save on their MOT, servicing and repair costs at local garages. In fact, when you compare garages near you through our online comparison site, you can save up to 70% when you choose one of the lower-cost options!

As one of the UK’s leading MOT and service comparison sites, we’re dedicated to helping drivers save money on their car maintenance. Here are just some of the ways we keep you in control of booking your electric car servicing:

 

Direct Comparisons. Every garage on our system has priced their servicing costs against the same schedules, allowing you to compare garages ‘like-for-like’. That means that when you book a lower-cost option for your electric car service, you know you’re getting the best deal.

No Upfront Payment. You never enter any payment details when you book your EV servicing. We never charge you any fees to use our site and you always pay the garage directly after the appointment.

24/7 Online Booking. When you need an electric car service, you want to book it as soon as possible. You don’t want to wait around for the garage to open so you can call up and get it sorted - and with BookMyGarage, you don’t have to. We allow you to make your appointment day or night, even when the garage is closed.

Filter Garages Your Way. Whether you want to book the cheapest electric car service near you or care more about the garage’s reviews, we’ve got you covered. You can filter your search results by price, reviews & ratings, distance, availability and additional services to find the best deal for your needs.

 

Compare deals and save up to 70% on your car maintenance when you choose one of the lower-cost options through BookMyGarage. Enter your vehicle reg and postcode to compare instant prices on EV servicing and book the best deal today.

 

How to Book Your Electric Car Servicing

1. Enter your vehicle reg and postcode.
2. Compare deals. You can sort garages in your area by whatever best suits your needs: price, distance, reviews and ratings or availability.
3. Pick a date and time for your appointment.

 

After you book your electric car service, we send you a confirmation email with a summary of your booking. We also inform the garage and they may also be in touch to confirm the appointment or to ask for extra details.

You never pay for your booking until after all the work has been completed and deal with the garage directly after the initial booking process. You also have the ability to change or cancel your booking for free until the day of your appointment.

 

 

FAQs

Do Electric Cars Need Oil During a Service?

Electric cars don’t use oil. There are no fuel filters or other fluids to top up either. 

 

Electric Car Service vs Petrol/Diesel (ICE): What are the Differences?

Alongside the fact that electric cars don’t need oil, fluids or fuel filters, there are several other differences compared to a standard car service. These include:

• Electric Motor. While a few bearings take the brunt of the wear and tear, they still need checking to ensure your EV’s main power source isn’t about to fail.
• Battery Health Check. As a crucial component of an EV, this needs specialist care and attention. In an ICE, a quick inspection may be enough to determine the battery’s health, but an EV mechanic will connect the battery to specialist equipment and analyse the data.
• HV Inverters & Chargers. These manage electrical power and recharge the circuits in your EV. An inverter provides power for the electric motor and the converter changes the voltage. Typically, this means taking a low voltage source and stepping-it-up to high voltage for heavy duty work. Without inverters and chargers, EVs wouldn’t work properly.
• No Timing Belt or Spark Plugs. These are important parts of any ICE that can be an expensive fix. Fortunately, EVs have neither which removes them from their service schedule.
• No Exhaust. As there are no waste products in an electric car, they don’t need an exhaust. This means there are no emissions checks or need to keep the exhaust in good condition.
• No Clutch. Electric cars are fully automatic, so there is no clutch system operation. This is checked on every manual ICE because it is so important to keep the car moving.

 

What Other Maintenance Does an Electric Car Need?

You still need to take care of your EV, even though it has 90% fewer moving parts than an ICE. Other required maintenance includes:

• MOT Test. You must book a yearly MOT for your electric car after it turns 3 years old (as with ICEs).
• Tyre Checks. Your tyres will suffer the same wear and tear as an ICE, so you must check your tyre tread, condition and pressure regularly.
• Brake Fluid Changes. Even though the ‘regenerative braking’ process is kinder to your pads and discs, brake fluid still absorbs moisture like an ICE. This means you still need to refresh your brake fluid every 2 years.
• Brake Pad and Disc Replacement. While these may last as few as 25,000 miles in an ICE, they can last up to twice as long before needing replacing on an EV.
• Air Conditioning Checks. Depending on the model, this needs checking every 2-6 years.

Your manufacturer may also recommend additional maintenance schedules for other items. Make sure you stick to these as failing to do so can sometimes invalidate your warranty.

Most manufacturers now guarantee that the battery will last around 100,000 miles - about 12 years’ use for the average driver. This extended battery life means that regular servicing should be enough to keep your battery in good condition.

 

How Much Does an Electric Car Service Cost?

An electric car service costs around 30% less than the ICE equivalent, according to automotive data experts KeeResources and buyacar.

 

What Mechanics Can Complete an Electric Car Service?

As of August 2021, only 6.5% of UK mechanics were qualified to service electric cars, according to the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). Many of them are employed at main dealerships, limiting your maintenance options.

 

What Does an EV Service Include?

A yearly electric car service will include checks of the following parts:

• External Lights
• Instrument Warning Lights
• Horn
• Windscreen Wipers
• Windscreen Washers & Screenwash (Top up if needed)
• Condition of Windscreen & Mirrors
• Condition of Number Plates
• Condition of Seat Belts
• Top Up Brake Fluid (if required)
• Brake Pad & Disc Wear
• Visible Brake Pipes & Hoses
• Handbrake Operation
• Brake Callipers
• Condition of Wheels & Tyres (adjust tyre pressure if needed)
• Condition of Springs, Shock Absorbers & Other Suspension Parts
• Condition of Steering Rack Gaiters & Other Steering Parts
• Any Excessive Play in Wheel Bearings
• Condition of High Voltage Battery (and report)
• Condition of 12volt Battery (and report)
• Operation of all Driver EV Controls, Warning Systems & Charging Points
• Drive Shaft Gaiters
• Any Oil Leaks

 

A bi-yearly electric car service will include every check included in a yearly service as well as:

• A Pollen Filter Replacement
• A Brake Fluid Replacement & System Bleed
• A Wheel Alignment Check
• A Tyre Rotation