What Does an EV Service Actually Involve?
Electric vehicles don't need oil changes, exhaust repairs, or timing belt replacements - but they absolutely still need regular servicing. The problem is that most EV owners aren't sure what's actually involved, or when to book in.
At Stedmans Garage, we've been servicing electric and hybrid vehicles across every major make from our Worthing workshop. This guide breaks down exactly what happens during an EV service, which components need attention, and how the process differs depending on whether you drive a Tesla, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, or another electric model.
What's Included in an EV Service?
An EV service covers many of the same safety checks as a traditional service, but with a different focus. There's no engine oil, no spark plugs, and no cambelt to worry about. Instead, the emphasis shifts to the battery system, electrical components, and the parts that wear differently on an electric vehicle.
A typical EV service at Stedmans includes:
- Battery health check - assessing state of charge, capacity retention, and cell balance. Early detection of battery degradation can save thousands in the long run.
- Brake inspection - EVs use regenerative braking, which means brake pads last significantly longer. However, this also means brake discs can corrode from underuse, particularly on vehicles driven mainly in town.
- Tyre condition and pressure - EVs are heavier than their petrol equivalents due to battery weight. This puts more stress on tyres, meaning uneven wear and low pressures are more common.
- Coolant system - most EVs use a liquid cooling system for the battery pack and motor. Coolant levels and condition are checked at every service.
- Cabin air filter replacement - without engine intake filters to worry about, the cabin filter becomes the primary filtration component.
- Suspension and steering - the extra weight of EV batteries puts more strain on bushings, springs, and dampers over time.
- Electrical system diagnostics - checking for fault codes, software errors, and 12V auxiliary battery health. The 12V battery is a common failure point that catches many EV owners off guard.
- Washer fluid, wiper blades, and exterior lights - the basics still apply.
How Does EV Servicing Differ From Petrol or Diesel?
The biggest difference is simplicity. An electric motor has around 20 moving parts compared to over 2,000 in a combustion engine. That means fewer components to fail and lower servicing costs overall.
Here's how the two compare:
| Component | Petrol/Diesel | Electric Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil and filter | Every service | Not applicable |
| Spark plugs | Every 30,000-60,000 miles | Not applicable |
| Exhaust system | Regular checks | Not applicable |
| Timing belt or chain | Major service item | Not applicable |
| Brake pads | Every 25,000-40,000 miles | Every 50,000-70,000 miles |
| Battery health check | N/A | Every service |
| Battery coolant | N/A | Every service |
| Software diagnostics | Basic OBD | Manufacturer-level EV diagnostics |
For a full breakdown of the cost differences, see our guide on EV vs petrol car servicing.
Service Intervals by Make
Most manufacturers recommend servicing every 12 months or 10,000-15,000 miles, whichever comes first. The exact interval depends on the make:
- Tesla - Annual service recommended. Tesla themselves have moved to a condition-based approach, but we'd still recommend yearly checks given common Tesla issues that benefit from early diagnosis. Our Tesla EV specialist team handles Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X.
- BMW - Condition-based servicing (CBS), typically every 12 to 18 months. Covers the i4, iX, iX3, and i3. See our BMW i4 maintenance guide for model-specific detail. We're also a BMW specialist for combustion models.
- Volkswagen - Every 12 months or 18,000 miles for the ID.3, ID.4, and ID.5. Our VW EV specialist technicians use manufacturer-level diagnostics.
- Audi - Every 12 months or 19,000 miles for the e-tron, Q4 e-tron, and Q8 e-tron. Handled by our Audi specialist team.
- Jaguar - Every 12 months or 16,000 miles for the I-PACE. As a Jaguar specialist garage, we carry diagnostics specific to the I-PACE platform.
- Land Rover - PHEVs like the Range Rover P400e and Defender PHEV follow hybrid schedules. See our Land Rover EV page for more.
- Cupra - Every 12 months or 18,000 miles for the Born, following the VW Group schedule. More on Cupra EV servicing.
Plug-in hybrids still require traditional engine servicing alongside EV-specific checks. Our guide on maintaining plug-in hybrids covers this in detail.
Looking After Your EV Battery
The high-voltage battery is the most expensive component in any electric vehicle. Looking after it properly can extend its life well beyond the manufacturer warranty.
During a service, we assess:
- State of health (SoH) - the percentage of original capacity remaining. A battery at 90% SoH after five years is considered healthy.
- Cell balance - individual cells within the pack should charge and discharge evenly. Imbalanced cells reduce range and accelerate wear.
- Thermal management - the cooling system that keeps the battery within its optimal temperature range. Failures here can cause rapid degradation.
Your charging habits have the biggest impact on battery longevity. Frequent rapid charging and regularly charging to 100% both accelerate wear. If you've noticed a drop in range - especially during winter - a battery health check can confirm whether the issue is degradation or simply temperature-related.
For Tesla owners, we offer dedicated battery health assessments covering all Model 3, Y, S, and X variants.
Do EVs Still Need an MOT?
Yes. Electric vehicles need an annual MOT once they're three years old, the same as any other vehicle. The test covers brakes, tyres, lights, steering, suspension, and bodywork - all of which apply equally to EVs.
The main differences during an EV MOT:
- No emissions test
- Additional checks on high-voltage cable condition and warning lights
- Regenerative braking function checked
Booking your service and MOT together saves time and avoids two trips. You can book online or call us on 01903 691666.
Tips for Keeping Your EV in Good Shape Between Services
- Avoid regularly charging above 80% unless you need the full range for a long journey. Keeping the charge between 20% and 80% reduces stress on the cells.
- Use a slow or fast charger where possible rather than rapid chargers for daily top-ups. Rapid charging generates more heat.
- Don't ignore the 12V battery. It powers the locks, lights, and onboard computer. If it fails, the car won't start even if the main battery is full.
- Check tyre pressures monthly. EV-specific tyres wear faster due to the higher vehicle weight and instant torque. Underinflation accelerates this.
- Keep an eye on brake disc condition. Light surface rust is normal if you use regenerative braking heavily. If you hear grinding or feel vibration, book a check.
Why Choose Stedmans for EV Servicing?
Stedmans Garage has been looking after vehicles in Worthing since 1923. As the EV market has grown, we've invested in manufacturer-level diagnostic equipment and training to service every major electric and hybrid platform.
We're equipped to work on:
- Tesla - Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X
- BMW - i4, iX, iX3, i3
- Audi - e-tron, Q4 e-tron, Q8 e-tron
- Volkswagen - ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, e-Golf
- Jaguar - I-PACE
- Land Rover - Range Rover P400e, Defender PHEV
- Cupra - Born
Whether you need a routine annual service, EV diagnostics, or advice on battery health - no jargon, no upselling. Just honest, expert care for your electric vehicle.
Book your EV service online or get in touch to discuss your vehicle's needs.
Related reading: I-PACE and E-PACE electrical faults