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How much EV battery degradation is normal? Data by mileage, age and model
Published · Last updated · based on 67 sourced model figures, 21 benchmark rows and 14 sources
Every EV battery loses some capacity. The useful question is whether the car you're looking at has lost more than is normal for its mileage and age. This guide puts the large published datasets side by side – all EVs by mileage and by age, then model by model – and explains which readings should make you ask questions.
The short answer
- Normal: roughly 92.0%–95.0% at 40,000–80,000 km and 90.3%–93.6% at 80,000–120,000 km – the middle half of 1,716 AVILOO-tested cars in Czechia, Slovakia and Poland (Zuvala R., Bucsuhazy K., Kadula L., Dedek J., via Zenodo; percentiles calculated by us).
- Worth questioning: a result below ADAC's rule of thumb – 92% at 50,000 km, 88% at 100,000 km, 84% at 150,000 km, 80% at 200,000 km (ADAC) – or near the bottom of the range for the same model (table below).
- Not normal: a result in the bottom 0.5% for that model at that mileage, a large spread between cell voltages, or capacity heading for the warranty threshold (usually 70%) well before the warranty ends.
- Model matters, but less than you'd think: at 50,000 km the AVILOO median for 20 models ranged from 91.2% (Nissan Leaf ZE1) to 97.1% (Hyundai IONIQ 5); at 100,000 km from 88.3% to 95.3% (AVILOO GmbH).
Got a figure for a specific car? Put it in the battery health estimator to see what's typical for that model, mileage and age, or plot it against the published data on the battery degradation chart.
Normal battery health by mileage (all EVs)
| Odometer | Central Europe: median middle 50% of cars | Cars tested |
|---|---|---|
| under 40,000 km | 95.9% 94.1%–98.0% | 534 |
| 40,000–80,000 km | 93.5% 92.0%–95.0% | 947 |
| 80,000–120,000 km | 92.0% 90.3%–93.6% | 769 |
| 120,000–160,000 km | 90.3% 88.4%–91.7% | 430 |
| 160,000–250,000 km | 88.2% 85.5%–90.0% | 60 |
Czechia, Slovakia and Poland, all BEV models combined, 2,742 AVILOO tests (2024-07 to 2026-03), median and 25th–75th percentile by odometer (Zuvala R., Bucsuhazy K., Kadula L., Dedek J., via Zenodo, 2026-09-07). The dataset has no model names, so it can only be used for all EVs combined.
- Sweden (Carla, Sweden, all models combined, 9,954 AVILOO tests 2022–2026): 98.6% at up to 10,000 km, 94.4% at 50,000 km, 92.4% at 100,000 km (Carla AB).
- ADAC's rule of thumb (Germany): at least 92% at 50,000 km, 88% at 100,000 km, 84% at 150,000 km, 80% at 200,000 km (ADAC). This is a minimum to expect, not an average.
- TÜV NORD / Carly: Median SoH 96 across ~50,000 readings (BEV + PHEV); only 9.9% below 85. SoH fell about 0.7 points per 10,000 km up to ~90,000 km, then about 2.3 points per 10,000 km. Older cars differ by brand (Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes ~90–95+; older VW, Renault, Citroën ~70–80); current models mostly 97–100 (TÜV NORD GROUP with Carly).
- Ex-lease fleet (Arval): Ex-lease fleet, 24,000 certificates (Moba + AVILOO): about 93% average at 70,000 km; still above 90% at 160,000 km or 6 years; roughly 1 point lost per 25,000 km after a small early drop; newer generations 2–3 points higher (Arval).
Normal battery health by age (UK)
| Age (years) | Median SoH | Middle 50% of cars |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | 100.0% | 97.9%–100.0% |
| 1–2 | 99.3% | 97.2%–100.0% |
| 2–3 | 96.9% | 95.0%–99.9% |
| 3–4 | 95.2% | 93.0%–98.2% |
| 4–5 | 93.5% | 91.6%–96.5% |
| 5–6 | 92.3% | 89.0%–96.0% |
| 6–7 | 90.8% | 88.1%–93.5% |
| 7–8 | 90.0% | 88.0%–93.9% |
| 8–12 | 85.0% | 82.0%–90.0% |
Generational – UK, all models combined (BEV + PHEV, cars + vans), tested in 2025. These are mostly the cars' own battery readings (BMS), which can read higher than an independent test.
- UK auction cars: 1,000 Generational battery checks at Shoreham Vehicle Auctions (UK used EVs, all models): average SoH 98.7% under 4 years (656 cars), 92.6% at 4–6 years (279 cars, 83.5% above 90%), 88.8% at 6+ years (73 cars, 34.3% above 90%); overall median 95.6%, 88% above 90%, and only 0.4% below 80% (all older Nissan Leaf and NV200 Combi) (Motor Trader).
- UK owners (Which?): UK owner survey, all models: average remaining range vs new, by registration year (self-reported): 97% for 2024–25 cars, 95% for 2022–23 cars, 95% for 2020–21 cars, 94% for 2018–19 cars (Which?). Self-reported range, not a battery test.
- Fleet telematics (Geotab): Average degradation 2.3% per year across 21 make-models (2025 analysis of 22,700 fleet EVs); light cars averaged 2.0%/year, MPVs/light vans 2.7%/year; 8 of 11 established models from the 2023 dataset stabilised at 1.4%/year (Geotab).
Age and mileage both count. A five-year-old car that has done 20,000 miles and one that has done 80,000 miles shouldn't be judged against the same number, so use whichever comparison fits the car, and ideally the model figures below.
Normal range by model at 50,000 and 100,000 km
AVILOO's 2026 report gives, for 20 models, the median battery health and the band that 99% of tested cars fall within. A result below the bottom of the band puts the car in the lowest 0.5% for that model and mileage.
| Model | 50,000 km (≈31,000 mi) median · 99% of cars | 100,000 km (≈62,000 mi) median · 99% of cars | Tests (all mileages) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai IONIQ 5 | 97.1% 91.7%–99.2% | 95.3% 89.1%–98.4% | 11,328 |
| Mercedes-Benz EQA | 96.6% 91.3%–98.9% | 95.0% 89.2%–97.8% | 18,953 |
| Hyundai Kona Electric | 96.3% 90.7%–99.1% | 94.3% 88.2%–98.3% | 14,908 |
| Audi Q8 e-tron | 95.7% 90.0%–98.2% | 93.1% 86.6%–96.5% | 21,797 |
| BMW i4 | 95.6% 90.6%–98.0% | 94.3% 88.8%–97.3% | 7,252 |
| VW ID.4 | 95.2% 88.9%–97.9% | 92.5% 85.9%–96.1% | 24,445 |
| Volvo XC40 Recharge | 95.2% 90.1%–98.2% | 93.7% 87.9%–97.1% | 7,903 |
| Škoda Enyaq iV | 95.1% 89.2%–97.8% | 92.7% 86.2%–96.1% | 20,303 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | 95.1% 89.5%–97.8% | 93.5% 87.1%–96.7% | 6,098 |
| Audi Q4 e-tron | 95.0% 88.4%–97.9% | 92.4% 85.6%–96.0% | 17,814 |
| Polestar 2 | 95.0% 89.9%–98.1% | 93.4% 87.5%–96.9% | 17,155 |
| Cupra Born | 94.8% 89.6%–98.6% | 93.0% 87.0%–97.0% | 7,443 |
| VW ID.3 | 94.6% 89.3%–97.7% | 92.8% 86.9%–96.3% | 24,676 |
| Tesla Model Y | 94.4% 89.0%–97.2% | 91.9% 85.5%–95.6% | 53,718 |
| Peugeot e-208 | 94.2% 88.2%–97.1% | 92.0% 84.4%–95.9% | 10,902 |
| Vauxhall/Opel Corsa-e | 94.1% 88.2%–97.1% | 92.0% 84.4%–95.9% | 8,517 |
| MINI Cooper SE | 94.1% 87.9%–97.4% | 90.1% 82.2%–95.5% | 8,554 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 93.8% 87.5%–96.9% | 90.8% 83.3%–95.2% | 92,180 |
| Renault Zoe | 91.6% 86.3%–95.0% | 88.9% 82.4%–93.0% | 12,272 |
| Nissan Leaf ZE1 | 91.2% 85.4%–95.4% | 88.3% 80.9%–93.8% | 9,222 |
AVILOO FLASH Test (3-minute OBD diagnostic; SoH computed by AVILOO's statistical model, not the car's own BMS reading). >500,000 tests 2022–2026, North & South America, Europe, Australia, Asia. Per model: median and central 99% band (p0.5–p99.5). Battery sizes are grouped under one model name. (AVILOO GmbH, 2026-09-03). Battery sizes are grouped under one model name, and these are different cars at different mileages, not the same cars followed over time. Sorted by the 50,000 km median. For 150,000 km see high-mileage used EV battery data.
Models without an AVILOO median
For these models we have Swedish dealer averages for high-mileage cars (Carla: cars above 100,000 km; Riddermarks: average mileage shown) and/or single-car AVILOO certificates. Single cars show the spread, not what's typical.
| Model | Swedish dealer averages, high-mileage cars | Single-car AVILOO tests (n=1 each) |
|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Ioniq Electric | – | 1 car: 94.0% at 87,287 km |
| Kia e-Niro / Niro EV | 96.2% (average 84,685 km; e-Niro 64 kWh; Ny Teknik / Riddermarks Bil) 97.3% (cars above 100,000 km; e-Niro 64 kWh; Carla AB) | 14 cars: 94.8%–98.5% at 8,301–106,312 km |
| Kia EV6 | 96.4% (average 79,517 km; EV6 77.4 kWh; Ny Teknik / Riddermarks Bil) 96.0% (cars above 100,000 km; EV6 77.4 kWh; Carla AB) | 10 cars: 96.0%–99.5% at 10,182–78,582 km |
| BMW i3 | 93.8% (cars above 100,000 km; i3 120 Ah; Carla AB) | 4 cars: 90.0%–93.7% at 10,342–98,366 km |
| MG4 EV | – | 14 cars: 92.5%–99.4% at 13,391–61,028 km |
| MG ZS EV | – | 20 cars: 90.1%–98.0% at 5,914–78,063 km |
| MG5 EV | – | 8 cars: 90.9%–95.7% at 27,962–118,049 km |
| BYD Atto 3 | – | 18 cars: 93.9%–96.9% at 12,833–58,558 km |
| BYD Dolphin | – | 3 cars: 96.6%–98.0% at 7,902–16,975 km |
| BYD Seal | – | 7 cars: 96.7%–99.6% at 10,042–82,000 km |
| GWM Ora 03 / Funky Cat | – | 7 cars: 91.0%–92.6% at 9,284–47,414 km |
| Xpeng G6 / P7 | – | 4 cars: 98.7%–99.5% at 8,320–13,866 km |
| NIO ET5 | – | – |
| Volvo EX30 | – | 5 cars: 97.4%–99.2% at 6,186–34,637 km |
| Dacia Spring | – | 6 cars: 91.0%–98.6% at 8,560–59,040 km |
| Smart #1 | – | 4 cars: 97.3%–99.1% at 2,908–49,690 km |
| Tesla Model S | 92.8% (cars above 100,000 km; Model S (Carla: "96 cells"); Carla AB) | 4 cars: 87.2%–89.5% at 76,588–172,083 km |
| Tesla Model X | 92.5% (cars above 100,000 km; Model X (Carla: "96 cells"); Carla AB) | 3 cars: 83.3%–86.8% at 140,874–182,749 km |
| Fiat 500e | – | 13 cars: 91.0%–97.0% at 5,075–70,197 km |
Dealer averages: Carla AB, Ny Teknik / Riddermarks Bil; sample sizes per model are not always published. Every single-car result, with its source and date, is on the model page.
When battery health is not normal
- Compare like with like. An independent test (for example AVILOO, which calculates SoH with its own method: AVILOO GmbH) and the car's own figure can differ by several points. Compare a test result with test data, not with a dashboard figure. Our SoH explainer covers why readings differ.
- Check where it sits for the mileage. Below the middle 50% band in the mileage table means one of the weaker quarter of cars: that alone is common, but it's a reason to negotiate. Below ADAC's minimum, or below the bottom of the model's 99% band, is unusual – ask for the service history and a second test.
- Look at the cells, not just the average. Generational's analysis of about 10,000 UK tests found a median spread of 8 mV between the highest and lowest cell, with about 1 in 85 cars above 50 mV ("requiring investigation") and 1 in 200 above 100 mV (Generational). A good SoH with a large cell spread can still hide a weak module.
- Do the warranty maths. Most battery warranties pay out only below 70% (41 of the 46 terms with a stated threshold that we track). A car that is already low with years of warranty left may be a candidate for a claim later; a car just out of warranty is your risk. Check the dates with the battery warranty checker.
Next steps: how to check a used EV battery before you buy · UK battery test options and prices · how to read a battery certificate · questions to ask the seller · all 39 models compared.
Compare models on one chart: battery degradation chart (Hyundai IONIQ 5, Polestar 2, Nissan Leaf ZE1).
Sources used on this page
14 sources · 67 data points: 0 from non-AVILOO methods, 67 measured with AVILOO tests.
- Large test datasets (9 sources, 67 data points): Carla AB, Generational, Motor Trader, Arval, TÜV NORD GROUP with Carly, AVILOO GmbH, [2], Ny Teknik / Riddermarks Bil, [2]
- Connected-car / telematics (1 source): Geotab
- Other (specs, guides, news, surveys) (4 sources): Zuvala R., Bucsuhazy K., Kadula L., Dedek J., via Zenodo, ADAC, Which?, AVILOO GmbH
Owner-reported and listing values are single cars (n=1) read from the car, an app or an OBD tool – useful examples, not averages. Range-retention figures (Recurrent) measure range, not capacity. Full details: methodology & all sources.
We are not paid by the battery-test providers mentioned on this page. Links marked "paid link" in the "Useful products and services" box are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Get this specific car tested
We are not paid by these test providers. How we make money.
Model averages can't tell you about the car in front of you. An independent battery test (typically a short OBD plug-in test, some remote) gives an SoH figure and often a certificate you can use when negotiating.
- AVILOO – Independent OBD-based battery test (FLASH / Premium) with certificate; available via partners in the UK and EU.
- Generational – UK OBD plug-in test with certificate (SoH, range, remaining warranty, cell balance); sold through dealers and independent mobile testers.
- Moba – Postal OBD kit: you run the test yourself and post the box back for a digital battery certificate (Europe – check vehicle support and delivery country).
Prices change – check the provider's site. Provider names are used for identification only. Compare all UK options and prices: EV battery health check UK.
Useful products and services
- Charging cable: check that the car comes with its charging cable(s) at the viewing. If one is missing, replacements are sold separately: Type 2 charging cables at EV King paid link.
- Tyres: check tread depth and wear at the viewing. To price replacements, search by the size printed on the tyre wall: car tyres at Tyres UK paid link.
- Leasing instead of buying used (UK): if you'd rather not take on an older battery, you can compare electric car lease deals: EV lease deals at Leasing.com paid link.
- Parts and tools: wiper blades, bulbs, 12V batteries and tools for the car you buy: GSF Car Parts paid link (UK).
Some links are paid links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This never changes the battery data we show (disclosure).
FAQ
How much battery degradation is normal on a used EV?
Across all models, typical battery health (SoH) is about 94.4% at 50,000 km (≈31,000 miles) and 92.4% at 100,000 km (≈62,000 miles) in Carla's 9,954 Swedish AVILOO tests. A Czech, Slovak and Polish dataset of AVILOO tests shows a similar picture: median 93.5% at 40,000–80,000 km and 92.0% at 80,000–120,000 km. ADAC's rule of thumb is at least 92% at 50,000 km, 88% at 100,000 km, 84% at 150,000 km, 80% at 200,000 km. Individual models differ by a few points, so compare with the same model where you can.
Is 90% battery health good on a used electric car?
It depends on the mileage and age. 90% is about the median for cars at 120,000–160,000 km in the Central European AVILOO dataset (90.3%) and for UK cars aged 6–7 years in Generational's 2025 data (90.8%). At 50,000 km, 90% would be below ADAC's 92% rule of thumb and worth questioning.
How much battery capacity does an EV lose per year?
Geotab's 2025 analysis of 22,700 fleet EVs found an average loss of 2.3% a year. In Generational's UK tests the median SoH was 96.9% at 2–3 years, 93.5% at 4–5 years and 90.0% at 7–8 years. Cars driven more lose more, so mileage matters as much as age.
Do EV batteries lose more capacity in the first years?
Several datasets show a bigger drop early on: in Carla's data average SoH fell from 98.6% (up to 10,000 km) to 94.4% at 50,000 km, then to 92.4% at 100,000 km. Arval's ex-lease data also describes a small early drop followed by about 1 point per 25,000 km. But TÜV NORD and Carly found faster loss above about 90,000 km, so don't assume the curve stays flat.
At what battery health does the warranty pay out?
For most cars we track, the battery warranty covers capacity loss below 70% within the time and mileage limit (41 of the 46 warranty terms with a stated threshold). Normal degradation above that is not a fault. Nissan Leaf warranties use capacity bars instead; check each model page.
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