There are several aspects you should consider when buying a new car, but for many, the most important is reliability.
This is true with any type of car, be it petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric. Thankfully, there’s a way you can make sure you’re choosing a new car that will last without facing potential issues.
The What Car? reliability survey is an annual test that dives into the reliability of every car on sale, detailing the best and worst car brands for reliability. It’s all based on the lived experiences of owners around the world.
The publication has just launched its 2025 survey, including the list of the most reliable electric cars money can buy. But which models made it into the top ten?
Read on to find out, as we run through the ten most reliable models powered by batteries…
10. Volvo EC40 (2021-present)
Reliability rating: 95%
The Volvo EC40 is the Swedish brand’s coupe-SUV, which blends a compact bodystyle with premium practicality.
A more rounded alternative to the EX40, the EC40 has a choice of various battery styles and powertrains. Its biggest battery offers up to 357 miles of range, with power ranging between 235bhp and 408bhp, when you opt for a dual motor variant.
What Car? says it's one of the most reliable electric cars on sale, with a reliability rating of 95%. That puts it ahead of rivals like the Kia Soul, Hyundai Kona and Vauxhall Mokka.
9. Vauxhall Combo Life (2022-present)
Reliability rating: 95.3%
If you’re after a practical electric car that you can trust for reliability, the Vauxhall Combo is your best bet.
Based on the experiences of owners, Vauxhall says the Combo Life is 95.3% reliable, meaning you can rely on its versatility.
It’s available with up to seven seats, so you can carry the entire family, plus you’ll get a range of around 213 miles on a charge.
8. BMW iX3 (2021-2025)
Reliability rating: 95.5%
BMW’s popular SUV is the eighth most reliable electric car money can buy, according to What Car?. The publication claims a reliability rating of 95.5%.
Due a new generation with BMW’s Neue Klasse design language, the iX3 will get a range of around 500 miles when it arrives soon.
That 95.5% score applies to the existing model, though, which was recently taken off sale. It features an 80kWh battery with a range of 286 miles, which beat many of its rivals at the time of its launch.
7. Hyundai Ioniq 6 (2022-present)
Reliability rating: 95.7%
Hyundai's streamlined coupe scored a reliability rating of 95.7%, making it the Korean car maker’s most reliable electric car.
Power comes from a 77.4kWh battery, which produces a decent, usable range of 339 miles, aided by impressive aerodynamics.
The Ioniq 6 can be selected with either a single or dual motor set-up, with power ranging between 225bhp and 321bhp.
6. Nissan Leaf (2019-2024)
Reliability rating: 96.4%
What Car?’s reliability survey focused on the previous generation Nissan Leaf, which was removed from sale last year. It was replaced by an electric SUV to sit alongside the new Micra.
The previous Leaf could be a shrewd used car purchase, though. The survey revealed it was 96.4% reliable, narrowly missing out on the top five.
That said, it’s not the most impressive option for range. Thanks to a small 39kWh battery, the Leaf offers just 168 miles on a charge.
5. BMW i4 (2021-present)
Reliability rating: 96.8%
The BMW i4 is the most premium car to appear in this list, but thankfully, it has the reliability to justify its price.
According to the What Car? survey, the BMW i4 is 96.8% reliable, finishing as one of the world’s top five most reliable EVs.
The i4 is offered with several powertrains and battery sizes, ranging from 67kWh to 80.7kWh. Its rangiest model will produce a top-tier 371 miles on a single charge.
4. Tesla Model Y (2021-present)
Reliability rating: 97.1%
Formerly the best-selling electric car in Europe, the Tesla Model Y is also one of the most reliable.
What Car? Says 97.1% of Model Ys faced zero issues, which is good news for both the huge number of buyers and the US technology firm alike.
A new Model Y went on sale in 2025, with a new exterior design and efficiency improvements. According to Tesla, the Model Y is capable of 387 miles of range, in Long Range Single Motor guise.
3. BMW i3 (2013-2022)
Reliability rating: 97.4%
Who’d have thought that one of the most reliable electric cars was one of the pioneers of the genre?
The BMW i3 went off sale in 2022, but it’s still proving to be one of the most reliable, scoring a seriously impressive 97.4% in the survey.
Before it departed, the i3 was available with two powertrains. One was electric-only, producing 168bhp and up to 100 miles of range. The other was a range-extender electric car with a range of 205 miles.
2. Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric (2023-present)
Reliability rating: 97.5%
Renault’s midsized crossover is the second-most reliable electric car money can buy today, with an impressive 97.5% reliability rating.
The impressive all-rounder is just as good to live with as it is unlikely to break down. It comes with an 87kWh battery with up to 381 miles of range on a charge.
The Scenic boasts a 545-litre boot, exceeding the Renault Megane's capacity by 105 litres. This also means it offers slightly more boot space than both the Ioniq 5 and EV6.
1. Kia EV3 Estate Electric (2024-present)
Reliability rating: 100%
The Kia EV3 is the world’s most reliable electric car, according to What Car?.
Launched just last year, Kia will be pleased to see that zero owners surveyed have seen a single issue with their EV3.
Its reliability, plus its impressive specification, make the EV3 a great option for those looking to move into EV ownership.
