Hybrid& electric maintenance

MOTRIO garages carry out the full range of hybrid car maintenance and electric car servicing on all makes and models — including plug-in hybrids (PHEV), mild hybrids (MHEV), full hybrids and battery-electric vehicles (BEV). The service includes high-voltage system diagnostics, traction battery health check (state of health, capacity and cell balance), charging system inspection (on-board charger, charging port, 12V battery), regenerative brake servicing, hybrid battery replacement where required, and all standard service items including engine oil change on hybrids, cabin filter, brake fluid and coolant for battery and inverter. EV service prices are confirmed by upfront quote before every job. The service is available by appointment at MOTRIO garages across the UK, with HV-trained technicians and a 1-year warranty on parts and labour.

Book your electric car service or hybrid car maintenance directly at your nearest MOTRIO garage. The MOTRIO network covers the whole of the UK, with HV-trained technicians ready to work on any electrified vehicle at the right price, with a 1-year warranty on parts and labour.

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In addition to hybrid and electric vehicle service, MOTRIO garages offer a full range of services for your vehicle. From regular maintenance to the braking system, from tyres to the battery:

• Battery → 12V auxiliary battery (critical even on full EVs)

• Braking system → brake servicing for regenerative braking systems

• Tyres → EVs are heavier — tyres wear faster, especially on drive axle

• Vehicle maintenance → engine service for the ICE side of hybrid vehicles

It is advisable to follow your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations to determine the optimal hybrid car service schedule. The service interval varies according to the engine type:

• Diesel hybrid: service every 6,000 to 12,500 miles, including engine oil change and oil filter replacement.

• Petrol hybrid: service every 9,000 miles, including engine oil change and oil filter replacement.

• Plug-in hybrid (PHEV): similar to petrol hybrid but with an extra check on the high-voltage charging system and the EV-mode usage rate (cars used mostly in electric mode may need engine oil changes by time, not mileage).

• Mild hybrid (MHEV): standard petrol or diesel service intervals plus a 48V system health check.

On top of the regular service, all hybrids benefit from an annual high-voltage system check and a traction battery health check every 2 years — both included in the MOTRIO hybrid service package.

It is important to have your electric vehicle serviced every 18,000 miles by a qualified professional to ensure it remains in peak condition. With fewer moving parts, EVs need less mechanical servicing than ICE cars — but the checks they do need are different and require specific training.

A typical EV service at a MOTRIO garage includes:

• High-voltage system safety check (insulation, isolation, connectors).

• Traction battery state of health (SoH) and cell balance test.

• 12V auxiliary battery check (critical: a failed 12V battery on an EV stops the car from waking up, even with the traction battery fully charged).

• Regenerative brake servicing: brake pads and discs last much longer on an EV because braking is mostly regenerative, but they can rust from underuse and need cleaning and lubricating regularly.

• Cooling system check for the traction battery and the inverter.

• Cabin filter replacement, brake fluid change every 2 years, coolant top-up.

• Tyre rotation and check (EVs are heavier and wear tyres faster, especially on the drive axle).

MOT for electric and hybrid vehicles in the UK: the rule is the same as for petrol and diesel cars — first MOT when the vehicle turns 3 years old, then every 12 months. The emissions test does not apply to fully electric cars, but all other safety and roadworthiness checks do.

The traction battery is the heart of every electrified vehicle, and its lifespan is one of the most common concerns from owners. The good news: modern batteries last much longer than most people expect.

• Full electric (BEV): most lithium-ion EV batteries are designed to retain at least 70–80% of their original capacity after 8 years or 100,000 miles. Real-world data shows degradation of around 1–2% per year on average.

• Plug-in hybrid (PHEV): smaller battery, used more intensively (full charge-discharge cycles). Expect 8–12 years of useful life, depending on usage.

• Full hybrid (HEV): the battery is small, used in shallow cycles. Toyota and Honda hybrid batteries routinely last 10–15 years and 150,000+ miles.

• Mild hybrid (MHEV): 48V battery, similar life to a high-quality 12V battery — typically 7–10 years.

Most manufacturers offer 8-year or 100,000-mile warranties on EV traction batteries, often longer on premium brands. If you notice a sudden drop in range, slower charging or a warning light on the dashboard, a MOTRIO traction battery health check tells you exactly where you stand — and whether a single cell or module repair (much cheaper than full replacement) is possible.

No, as long as the service is carried out to manufacturer specifications, using manufacturer-equivalent quality parts, by qualified technicians, and properly recorded.

This protection is guaranteed by the Block Exemption Regulation (BER), a UK and EU law that allows independent garages to service vehicles under warranty without invalidating it. The manufacturer cannot force you to use their dealer network for routine service or repairs.

Three conditions must be met:

• The service uses manufacturer-equivalent quality parts.

• Technicians are qualified — for hybrids and EVs this means HV (high-voltage) training.

• Every operation is recorded in the service book or digital service record.

All MOTRIO garages meet these three requirements. We work on vehicles still under manufacturer warranty — including hybrids and EVs — and we record every operation in your service book so your warranty stays valid in full, at a much lower cost than the dealer.