EV Warranty Checker
Select your EV make and model, or use the VIN decoder. See how much of your standard vehicle warranty and battery & drive unit warranty remains.
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How EV battery warranties work, brand by brand
Every manufacturer splits EV warranty cover into two tiers: a shorter, broader vehicle warranty (covering the whole car, similar to a petrol model) and a longer, narrower battery and drive unit warranty specifically for the pack and motor. Both are capped by whichever limit — years or mileage — is reached first, and the battery warranty almost always adds a minimum retention percentage: the manufacturer guarantees the battery won't drop below that share of its original capacity within the warranty window, or they'll repair or replace it. The table below shows a few widely-owned examples; use the checker above for your exact make, model and market.
| Brand | Vehicle warranty | Battery warranty | Min. retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla | 4yr / 50,000mi | 8yr / 100,000–150,000mi* | 70% |
| Hyundai | 5yr / unlimited | 8yr / 100,000mi | 70% |
| Kia | 7yr / 100,000mi | 8yr / 100,000mi | 70% |
| BMW | 3yr / unlimited | 8yr / 100,000mi | 70% |
| Volkswagen | 3yr / 60,000mi | 8yr / 100,000mi | 70% |
| Nissan | 3yr / 60,000mi | 8yr / 100,000mi | 70% |
| Mercedes-Benz | 3yr / unlimited | 8yr / 100,000mi* | 70% |
| Ford | 3yr / 60,000mi | 8yr / 100,000mi | 70% |
UK baseline terms, illustrative only — always confirm with the manufacturer for a specific car. *Tesla's and Mercedes-Benz's battery mileage caps vary by model and variant — use the checker above for your exact car.
Reading the fine print: retention thresholds and exclusions
The retention percentage is the number that actually matters if you're worried about degradation rather than an outright fault — it's the line below which a capacity-loss claim becomes valid. Most mainstream brands settle around 70%, though a few (including some Toyota and Lexus terms) guarantee a higher 80%, and some manufacturers don't publish a retention figure at all, covering only outright battery failure rather than gradual capacity loss. Nearly every warranty also carries standard exclusions: the car must generally have been serviced and charged in line with the manufacturer's guidance, and damage from accidents, modifications or commercial use (ride-hailing, taxi work) typically isn't covered. None of this affects your car's actual battery health — only what you can claim for — which is why it's worth running the battery health calculator regardless of how much warranty term you have left.
EV warranty FAQs
What happens if my battery health check comes back below the warranty threshold?
If your estimated state of health is close to or below your battery warranty's retention threshold (commonly 70%) and you're still inside the years/mileage window, it's worth booking an official dealer diagnostic — the free calculators here are a strong first read but not a substitute for the manufacturer's own test when a claim is on the table. Check your exact terms first on the tool above, since the mileage cap and retention percentage both vary by brand and sometimes by model or market.
Is an EV battery warranty transferable to a new owner?
In most markets, yes — EV battery warranties are typically tied to the vehicle (via its VIN) rather than the original buyer, so they carry over to subsequent owners for the remainder of the original term. This is one of the reasons verified remaining warranty coverage is such a strong factor in used EV pricing. A small number of manufacturers apply different terms for second owners, so it's worth confirming directly with the manufacturer for high-value purchases.
Does an EV warranty cover gradual capacity loss, or only battery failure?
Both, within limits. Nearly every manufacturer's battery warranty covers outright failure (the battery stops working, or a fault develops) for the full term. Coverage for gradual capacity loss is usually capped at a stated retention percentage — commonly 70% — meaning the warranty only pays out for degradation-related claims if your measured capacity has dropped below that line within the years/mileage window, not for any capacity loss at all.
Why do battery warranty mileage caps vary so much between brands?
Mileage caps largely reflect how each manufacturer prices in the risk of their specific battery chemistry, pack design and thermal management system, alongside competitive positioning — a brand aiming to stand out on ownership costs will often offer a longer or more generous warranty than the 8-year/100,000-mile figure that's become the loose industry norm. It isn't a reliable indicator of which battery is actually more durable on its own; real-world degradation data (see the battery health calculator) is a better guide to how a specific model tends to hold up.