MotorEasy Reliability Index: the Ten Least Reliable Electric Cars
The Tesla Model X has the lowest reliability score of any electric car in the MotorEasy Reliability Index, which now ranks models by fuel type. The index, built on repair claims from MotorEasy customers in the UK, gives the Model X 1 out of 10, Insurance Edge reported on 4 November.
Key takeaways
- The Tesla Model X scores 1 out of 10 and the Model S 1.4.
- The Porsche Taycan is third from bottom with 2.6.
- Three Tesla models appear in the bottom ten.
- Four of the ten still score 7 or higher.
How the index works
MotorEasy scores each make and model out of 10 on two things: how often it needs repairs and how much those repairs cost. A lower score means a less reliable car. The data comes from real-world claims made by MotorEasy customers, though the company has not published the sample size behind each model.
The bottom ten
| Rank | Model | Score out of 10 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tesla Model X | 1.0 |
| 2 | Tesla Model S | 1.4 |
| 3 | Porsche Taycan | 2.6 |
| 4 | Jaguar I-Pace | 4.9 |
| 5 | Audi e-tron | 6.3 |
| 6 | Tesla Model 3 | 6.6 |
| 7 | BMW i3 | 7.0 |
| 8 | Hyundai Ioniq | 7.0 |
| 9 | Volkswagen ID.4 | 7.2 |
| 10 | Peugeot e-208 | 7.3 |
The spread is wide. The two large Teslas and the Taycan sit far below the rest, while the last four entries, from the BMW i3 to the Peugeot e-208, are separated by only 0.3 points.
Age plays a part
Tesla started selling cars in the UK early, alongside the Nissan Leaf, so its models in the data are older on average than many rivals. That partly explains three Teslas in the bottom ten, and the Model 3 at 6.6 scores far better than the larger Model S and Model X. The BMW i3, Jaguar I-Pace and original Audi e-tron are no longer sold new but remain popular on the used market, which keeps them in the ranking.
The table ranks individual models, not brands, so it does not give an overall brand score.
What it means for you
MotorEasy advises checking the score of the exact model, not just the badge, and asking for a battery health report before buying. Check how much manufacturer and battery warranty is left, and look for a service history that includes software updates and recall work. Budget for repairs once the warranty ends, or consider extended cover. Running costs will also rise: the pay-per-mile Electric Vehicle Excise Duty starts in April 2028, and at the previously announced 3p per mile, 12,875 km (8,000 miles) a year would cost about £240 on top of road tax.
Background reading: the Tesla Model X and the Porsche Taycan.
Sources
- Insurance Edge: New research suggests Tesla might be the most unreliable EV brand (4 Nov 2026) (accessed 4 Nov 2026)
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