21:05 23-04-2026

ADAC 2026 breakdown statistics: electric cars beat gas and diesel in reliability

ADAC's 2026 breakdown study reveals electric cars are more reliable than internal combustion vehicles, with fewer breakdowns per 1,000 cars. Key findings on EV reliability.

Germany's automobile club ADAC has published its 2026 breakdown statistics, comparing vehicle reliability. The analysis shows that electric cars are more reliable than internal combustion engine vehicles across all age groups.

The key metric is the number of breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles. For four-year-old electric cars, this figure stands at 6.5, while for similar gasoline and diesel models it is 12.5. Experts attribute this to fewer wear components in electric powertrains.

The most common cause for roadside assistance calls remains a faulty 12-volt battery, accounting for nearly half of all cases. Electric vehicles also show a higher rate of onboard electronics failures, which is tied to system complexity.

Among the most reliable models are the BMW i3 and Tesla Model 3, with the fewest breakdowns. In the internal combustion segment, the Mini and BMW X2 performed best. Meanwhile, several Toyota models—including the C-HR, RAV4, and Corolla—appeared more frequently in the breakdown statistics.

Overall, the study covers 158 models from 27 manufacturers, and its findings may inform car-buying decisions and reliability rankings.