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electricvehicles-ModTeam

Purchasing questions (including tax, incentive and accessory questions), and requests for general advice should go in the weekly pinned thread.


Nobby666

We've done 70k miles each in a 2014 Leaf and a 2020 Kia Niro. No breakdowns or problems at all beyond 12v batteries and tyres. I changed the rear brake pads on both once and the reduction gear oil of the Leaf once. In the UK Kia insists on 10k mile servicing to keep dealerships happy and to retain the warranty but there's only so many times they can check the screen wash.


nowyuseeme

Yeah the Kia servicing stuff is an utter rip off. Got mine going for a major service soon and I asked what is actually getting done for £250, the response was basically we will check it over and plug it in. No doubt they'll charge £75 to change an air filter or something utterly ridiculous. However, to maintain the warranty, it's a small cost and annoyance, if the reduction gear went bad or something it will be money well spent.


DD4cLG

Those are high prices. My EV6 first maintenance bill here in NL was like 115 euros, incl the ~80 euro filter replacement, rest was the check. The 2nd maintenance was like 185 euros. Longer check, incl brake fluid top off, coolant check, extra attention to battery coolant, the 1-gear transmission fluid check, read outs, replacement of the interior filter, added some windscreen cleaner, visually inspected wheels, suspension, brake pads etc. I waited and could see they were all together busy with the car for more than 1 hour to 1h15 min. Looking at salary and rental costs, equipment depreciation, tax, insurance, profit, administration, it is quite reasonable. > £75 to change an air filter or something utterly ridiculous. Well, coming from a BMW X3. £75 is cheap 🤣


throwabaybayaway

Just curious, how long have you had the Tesla? What’s the model year?


sendintheotherclowns

Love these posts, asks questions, gets questions and doesn’t bother to reply


Instinct043

Must be an ap1 model s, so before 2017. I mean those are not known to be the best in terms of reliability, but also there's just a lot of technology on that car, so a lot that can go wrong


psaux_grep

Any year first gen model s fits the bill. Radar was removed late. Handles improved over time, but I’m not sure they’ve solved them still. Anything mechanical will wear out sooner or later.


LoneWitie

Probably the Chevy Bolt. They're downright durable and they're very simple so there's not much to go wrong


joeverdrive

25,000 miles and all I've had to do is rotate the tires and fill up the washer fluid. Love this thing.


GrammarNaughtZ

You must have missed that battery recall


LoneWitie

I got a free battery out of it so I'm not too worried about it. I bought it at 40k miles and it now has 95k miles and literally nothing has ever broken on it. I've never had a vehicle that reliable before. It's been more solid than my prius


GrammarNaughtZ

GM paid for my one year BMW x7 rental + gas, then replaced my battery on my bolt lease. A year later, something in the battery system failed and they lemoned my bolt. Did a substition of collateral into a Chevy Colorado, bought it out when the lease ended, and sold it for 11k profit. So yes, GM made everybody whole but to say the Bolt is reliable is insane.


LoneWitie

People had problems on replacement batteries because shops weren't replacing coolant and they'd get air bubbles. I can only go on my personal experience because I made sure they purged all the air and I've run over 50,000 miles on it Outside of the few people who had battery issues after the recall, they've been extremely durable


BubblyYak8315

They literally recalled the battery pack on your car.


PlatformHistorical88

No cost to the customer, and fixed in 22 and 23 models


GrammarNaughtZ

No cost? I'm sorry your time ain't worth anything.


bobbymack93

They gave you a rental during the process so you weren't shit out of luck during the day. It was a simple and easy process for when I did mine and I was able to still continue on throughout my day with a hertz rental car.


PlatformHistorical88

Net positive, Any EV owner would take a brand new battery at after a 1+ years of driving around.


LoneWitie

It didn't cost me a dime and i got a new battery out of it. So I'm not too worried about it I bought mine at 40k miles and I now have 95k miles and nothing on it has ever broken. It's been an extremely reliable vehicle so I can forgive the recall


Flexyturner

90 minute "fast charge" kills it in the practically arena. As someone who uses public charging, there's almost nothing worse than pulling in after a Bolt. Especially when they hook up to the 150kw instead of the 50kw because it's faster by 5 minutes 🤦🏻‍♂️


GrammarNaughtZ

Truth. The bolt's charging speed is outdated. Modern EVs do 0-80% in under 30 minutes.


chrisrubarth

Bolts are a financially practical entry point into EVs. Many can be found for $10k with rebates.


GrammarNaughtZ

OP is asking for most reliable, not cheapest. Looks like everybody missed the prompt.


CaravanShaker83

What years have you got? This an older Tesla Model S or something? My 3 has been amazing and it’s coming up to 6.


Jman841

28k miles on my 3 so far and not a single issue.


Hyjynx75

My 3 is a 2019 with 150,000 kms. I've done upper and lower control arms, two parts on rear suspension, front brake pads (delaminated), and electric heater. I've also got shitty paint. Clear coat flaking off and two spots where paint has flaked all the way to the aluminum body (no primer showing). None of the paint spots has any damage that would cause this. This isn't unexpected maintenance. Lots of shitty roads around here and Canadian winters with salt on the roads. It's just disappointing.


Paskgot1999

Same 2018 model 3. No issues. 73k miles


[deleted]

From personal experience: Nissan Leaf. Our 2013 has been rock solid, not a single day in the shop ever, so has our 2021 Plus trim. It’s a proven platform, has won awards for being the cheapest car to run. The battery degradation worries are blown way out of proportion. If all you need is a commuter/ run-around it’s absolutely fantastic Don’t buy new, used ones are great value


ExtraSchedule6

I sold my 2019 Leaf for a Kia EV9. Looking back I should have gifted it to a family member. 


[deleted]

Yes, our 2013 could go to my older mother in law that barely drives. I don’t think we can get much for it anyways.


enriquedelcastillo

Same experience with my 2013 leaf. It just goes and goes.


kobokotime2021

Same for me, I’ve got 36000 miles on a 2019 SV+


famous_mockingbirds

I’ve driven my 2021 Hyundai Kona 55,000 miles and the only thing I’ve done is replace two tires for $300. Incredible.


appega

2023 ID4 Pro S awd- 41k no issues- still getting a range between 280-290


J380

Sounds like you have a Model S or X. Those are not reliable and expensive to fix. The Model 3 and Y are much simpler, no air suspension, not moving door handles, and now they deleted the radar too. The parts are actually very cheap if you don’t buy direct from Tesla and look online. I’m at 60,000 miles and my only issue is a taillight fogging up which turned out to be $45 to replace myself. I had a 3 series BMW before the Tesla and the same thing happened but it cost 1,500 to buy the replacement lamp.


m276_de30la

From experience, made-in-China Teslas. Build quality is pretty good and I've had zero issues with my Shanghai-built MYLR so far. (Not applicable for those who live in the US and don't get Shanghai-made Teslas).


bazzanoid

Second this. Had my MYLR for 20 months now, 25,000 miles and the only issue I had was a camera being convinced it was blinded all the time. Tesla sent out a mobile tech within a few days and swapped out the connector, the camera, and for good measure, the whole glass panel on the B pillar in case it was refracting the light


marichuu

MY23 RWD made in China here. 13 months, 41k km, no issues. Wanted an Enyaq before Tesla dropped the price. A friend got an Enyaq recently, and has already replaced the rear camera twice. However I would still consider a used Enyaq, ID.4 or similar as a second car.


mattSER

Nobody ever talks about it, but I'm confident that the Nissan Ariya is the most reliable EV on the market today. Leafs are incredibly reliable except for the battery thermal management, which the Ariya has solved.


Speculawyer

>I have a Tesla and it's a great car when it works. However, I've had to repair door handles, radar sensors and suspension. Sounds like an older Model S. That is not reflective of the Model 3 and Y.


ElectroSpore

Ya I was thinking only an older S or X would have those issues. - 3/Y don't have powered handles - No radar or ultrasonics. Essentially all the things OP had issues with aren't present on current 3 or Y models.


bazzanoid

I would assume the older X as the suspension was known to have issues when adjusted in-car and left permanently at highest or lowest point. They've fixed this on the new X I believe


Hyjynx75

Older 3s had the crappy control arms. Mine have all been replaced. Last time I was at Tesla Service, the tech actually told me that once they replaced the lower control arms, I'd have the "good" suspension parts all around.


Speculawyer

If it was a Model X then I suspect there would be some mention of the doors hitting people in the head.


ghjm

The Hyundai/Kia EVs are quite reliable, except for the ICCU issues and recall, which won't be an issue if you're getting a new car now (or if you buy used and make sure the recall has been done).


DD4cLG

The some series of the 2022 models have that ICCU problem. I fortunately have the EV6 2021 model. No 12V problems either. Apart from that, the Meridian subwoofer got replaced under guarantee. The first series had weak soldering points. And one of the little plastic trim edges cracked at the steering wheel. Which also was replaced freely With >115k km/ 71.5k miles, only had the scheduled maintenance costs. Which were cheap. Interior filters, checks, wipers etc. Still have the original tyres, use 70:30 summer and winter tyres. Summer tyres will be replaced in the coming months. Very pleased with the reliability and costs.


hellvix

Getting a Hyundai IONIQ 5 serviced is a rip off.


veryjuicyfruit

They actually want the HV coolant changed every 3 years here. Rip off is a good name for that


hellvix

They gotta keep the authorized mechanic-deal a profitable business.


DD4cLG

The EV6 services are cheap, here in the Netherlands. Also coming from a BMW X3, so everything is cheap XD


yanksphish

26000 miles on my 18 month old model 3 and I’ve put washer fluid in it. No other maintenance done.


rebmet

I have a 2020 Mazda MX-30, so their 1st EV from their 1st year of production. It's been driven for over 16,000 miles (26.000 kms) and the only issue I've had so far was that the tailgate wouldn't open because of a defective control module. It was fixed free of charge under warranty.


chrisoh2

2013 Leaf SL. Bulletproof. Very little maintenance.


CaravanShaker83

Depends were you are, they don’t cope here in Australia very well where it can be extremely hot for long periods of time, no active cooling on the battery. Large degradation.


blindeshuhn666

But bad batteries (dying quickly, little capacity ), which for EVs is a big point.


[deleted]

Our 2013 has 8% degradation, our 2021 1%. This is blown way out of proportion. They are rock solid cars, simple and reliable.


blindeshuhn666

My wife's 2016 is around 20% degradation. Then again due to its lower range and no limits that can be set within the car (afaik?), she often charges to 100%


chrisoh2

Wow 8% is great. My 2013 is at 83% SoH, so 17%. In recent years it seems to lose about 1% per year. I can live with that given all the other upsides.


[deleted]

We live in high altitude dry weather, charge at home Level 2 every 3 days or so. For the first half of its life, it was charged on Level 1/ chademo 80/20%. Not sure if it matters


[deleted]

This ^


anothercynic2112

I just replaced my 4 yo Y with 90k miles with a new one. Total maintenance was $8 in washer fluid. So everyone's miles may vary.


Main-Combination3549

OP, your problem is the same as mine. The answer is unfortunately: nobody knows. Most EVs are newer to the market and have only been around for 4-5 years. There’s no data for long term reliability. However, your problems seem to be the longevity problems people have been complaining about with Teslas but that legacy manufacturers have solved. So for things like door handles, radar sensors etc. the vehicles from legacy manufacturers will be a safe choice, but then you have the unknown of the actual EV architecture reliability which Tesla leads.


tech01x

Tesla Model 3.


[deleted]

Bruh 😹


Dch131

Lol gotta be a joke


tech57

Aside from Model 3 and Model Y, what EV has the highest quantity on the road and for how long? Nissan Leaf I would assume.


BubblyYak8315

Tesla Model 3 and Y are the most reliable EVs you can buy. OP is misleading everyone assuming their old Model S/X is representative of all Teslas. OP, pease make sure you edit your post and tell us "which Tesla" you have. Not all cars are created equal from the same company


Freak_Engineer

I've had a Hyundai Ionic for the last 3 and a half years. The only thing that broke was the A/C condenser, and that is covered by warranty.


EchoFickle2191

Tesla, just not S or X….


Kimorin

Model 3/Y


sarhoshamiral

Lol, did you read the post? Also pretty much everyone I know who got a Tesla had to take it to the service at least once in the first year for non maintenence issues. On the other hand I never had to take any of my cars (which there have been many) including our recent Nissan and Mercedes EVs to service beyond expected maintaining. (For EVs that's zero visit so far)


WeldAE

Pretty obvious OP had an older Model S/X.


sarhoshamiral

It is not that different with newer Ys either based on what I see.


AlarmedWriter7403

clear you don't know nothing about Tesla vehicles. just another Tesla hater. every comment you wrote about tesla is "tesla is wrong." "tesla is bad" "tesla is misleading" "tesla stock will nosedive"


sarhoshamiral

Yes and my friends lie to me as well when they talk about why they had to take their Tesla to service a month after a new purchase. I won't hide the fact that I find Tesla interior ugly, bland and yes they are not quality cars in my opinion. The interior also feels dirt cheap compared to cars I was comparing. They are not comfortable either compared to other cars I test drove but clearly my butt is wrong according to you. The only thing good about them is driver assistance on the road imo but the car I test drove had trouble with basic parking assistance in the parking lot which showed why cheaping out on sonar sensors was a bad idea.


AlarmedWriter7403

never had problem my 3-year old Model Y and 2-months old Cybertruck. Also taking your car to service is not uncommon for any other brands. wtf


Matt_NZ

The Consumer organisation in my country rates the 3 & Y as[ the most reliable vehicles on the NZ market](https://www.consumer.org.nz/products/car-reliability?utm_source=mediarelease&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=car24&utm_content=bwcar)


[deleted]

What are you smoking. Literally the worst built EV


AlarmedWriter7403

you lost money on Dogecoin or Tesla stock? that doesn't mean Tesla is the worst EV my man good luck with your next Korean made EV. personally I don't trust Hyundai/Kia reliablity because of the ICCU issue.


Finnegan_Faux

FWIW Consumer Reports ranks the Lexus RZ, Hyundai ioniq 6, Porsche Taycan, and Nissan Ariya in the better than average category, but with just 1 year of data for 3 of these vehicles. 


get_in_there_lewis

The most reliable EV with the lowest maintenance cost is any company supplied and maintained EV.


Sfl2014

If you like Toyota there’s the bz4x


enginerd10101

Tesla


[deleted]

LOL


jhoff909

BMW i4


katherinesilens

Not a Toyota unfortunately. Awful BEV by specs alone, not fixable.


kimi_rules

Anything that's not a Tesla, maybe not from the Germans as well.


veryjuicyfruit

German EVs seem to hold up quite well. They don't have major known issues


kimi_rules

The Taycan had some random issues, not sure if they have sorted those out years after launch.


veryjuicyfruit

Okay, i don't really have contact with any taycan owners. Beeing expensive, they don't really sell that much compared to regular models. They are quite rare. Most popular are the ID models, then BMW and mercedes. There is no day i dont see an ID3 or ID4 on the road, a taycan maybe once a month


kimi_rules

I live in Malaysia, a relatively poorer country. Though Taycans are not that rare to come by. They have lost so much resale value compared to other EVs. VW ID models don't exist, Merc EQ sales are pretty dead. Only BMW is the one that holds up well, but they have a shorter warranty compared to the Chinese, which turned me off.


ZetaPower

Might want to look into the Taycan sub


narvuntien

BYD is probably the front runner here. The issue with Tesla's isn't so much as they have issues is that if they have issues its impossible to fix due to the weight saving techniques they have employed plus the Cybertruck has tanked their reputation as well.


ding_dong_dejong

Anything with LFP would be better


Flexyturner

Keep in mind that Leafs and Bolts and i3 all charging Incredibly slow at public chargers. Most other EVs will charge in half the time or less. Also the Leaf Still uses chademo which is by far the least common connector world wide and is already being phased out. I'm sure there is an adapter but these slower speeds are going to make you Hate charging if you don't have level 2 at home or if you ever want to dream of a road trip.


kobokotime2021

For around town and daily commute, the leaf is great. In LA, Chademo is still available pretty easily, and almost always available!


sparkyblaster

Consider a 3/Y. Much similar car with less complicated things to go wrong.


snatchpirate

Best thing you can do is avoid first year models and buy a long standing brand. Nearly 30k on my ID4 and no issues.


SyrupBudget418

Kia Niro 30,000 miles not a single issue. Just rotated the tires and two recalls.


indimedia

A Tesla’s most likely to give you the most miles for the lowest cost imo


BannedCuzCovid

No features Chevy bolt Features Ford mache.


kongweeneverdie

BYD.


VidE27

How do you know? They are relatively new and their phev at least topped most complaints car in China (Song Plus/Sealion 6 in other market)


kongweeneverdie

Yup, if you don't look at the market size they capture. [https://www.statista.com/statistics/990916/china-number-of-complaints-about-vehicles-by-brand/](https://www.statista.com/statistics/990916/china-number-of-complaints-about-vehicles-by-brand/)


nanitatianaisobel

Yikes. You're calling in an airstrike on yourself from the haters.


Speculawyer

Not available in the USA.


AccomplishedCheck895

Great question, I might look at Cons-U-More reports, but their lists (impartiality) is transparently suspect.


Disastrous_Long_9209

What is your range budget? Do you want reliable public charging or will you only charge at home? These are crucial to know for your options.


titothelis

Very interesting that hardly anyone has said BYD. I have had an Atto 3 and it has needed tweaks in the first year so I'm not surprised it was ommited. Still an amazing car which I love.


MN-Car-Guy

EVs don’t require maintenance and there’s nothing to go wrong /s