One in three supercars in Britain are no longer being driven and have been declared SORN, new analysis has revealed.
It means that ‘thousands of high-end models are officially registered off the road and sitting idle in garages’.
Approved Motor Finance analysed more than 2,000 supercars from five brands – Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lotus and McLaren – for its Supercar Market Report. The data covers the period from 2022 until 2025.
At the end of 2024, some 33 percent of supercars had been declared SORN (a Statutory Off-Road Notification, meaning the vehicle is not taxed and can’t be driven on the public road).
The number of owners choosing to SORN their supercars has increased by 17 percent in three years.
Supercars on SORN
It signals, says Approved Finance Group commercial director Mark Kozo, the rise of a new “buy, store, preserve” culture.
“We’re witnessing a significant shift in the supercar market, with the number of registrations continuing to rise and interest in high-performance vehicles showing no signs of slowing down,” explained Kozo.
“What’s particularly interesting is how ownership habits are evolving, with more collectors and enthusiasts investing in supercars.
“However, not all are purchasing for the thrill of driving, with many desiring the vehicles as long-term assets that represent heritage and status.
“Many of these vehicles are now being carefully maintained off the road, preserved as part of growing private collections.”
Lotus and Ferrari ‘off-roaders’
Looking at individual brands, Lotus and Ferrari supercars are most likely to be declared SORN and kept off the road.
The analysis revealed SORN rates peaking above 60-70 percent between 2023 and 2024.
McLaren owners “also show a steady shift towards storage, while Lamborghini follows a gentler upward trend”.
Aston Martin models, meanwhile, remain the UK’s most-driven supercars, with the lowest SORN rates of any brand over the past three years.
“It will be fascinating to see whether this momentum continues and how it reshapes the definition of supercar ownership in the years ahead,” added Kozo.
Volvo has officially pulled the wraps off its latest electric SUV: meet the new 2026 Volvo EX60.
With three different powertrain options, a luxurious cabin and the promise of best-in-class battery range, Volvo has pulled out all the stops for its new family SUV.
Essentially, this sees it act as a battery-powered counterpart to the hugely successful XC60. According to Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson: “The new, all-electric EX60 changes the game in terms of range, charging and price and represents a new beginning for Volvo Cars and our customers”.
Making electric cars more accessible
Making EV ownership more accessible was part of the philosophy behind the EX60’s development.
“With this car, we remove all remaining obstacles for going electric. This fantastic new car is also a testament of what we are capable of at Volvo Cars, with an all-new product architecture introducing new key technologies: mega casting, cell-to-body and core computing”, explained Samuelsson.
Key to this has been addressing the problem of ‘range anxiety’ amongst EV sceptics. The EX60 offers three battery options to suit customer needs.
The lineup begins with the rear-wheel-drive P6 model. Serving up 374hp from an 83kWh battery, it delivers a range of up to 385 miles in the official WLTP test.
A P10 model with all-wheel drive via twin electric motors occupies the middle rung on the EX60 ladder. With 510hp, plus a larger 95kWh battery, it offers a WLTP range of more than 410 miles. Accelerating from 0-62mph takes just 4.6 seconds.
Going the complete distance
However, the star attraction in the EX60 hierarchy is the P12 version, providing 680hp from a huge 112kWh battery. Along with allowing the car to hit 62mph in 3.9 seconds, this combination also offers an incredible range of 503 miles.
This class-leading ability means the electric Volvo could travel from Paris to Amsterdam, or from Los Angeles to San Francisco, without needing to stop and recharge.
Contributing to its impressive range is an aerodynamic body design with a drag coefficient of 0.26. Neat details, such as the wing-shaped door handles, all help this Volvo to go the distance.
When it is time to replenish the batteries, the EX60 can make use of public DC charging devices with speeds of up to 400kW. As a result, more than 200 miles of range could potentially be added in 10 minutes.
Making all of this possible is Volvo’s first use of a new Scalable Product Architecture 3 (SPA3) platform, shared with sister company Polestar. It sees the batteries integrated directly into the EX60’s body, along with an 800-volt electrical system.
‘The most intelligent Volvo to date’
Volvo has ensured the EX60 is about more than just impressive battery range, however, making use of the SPA3 platform to maximise interior space and storage.
A wheelbase of 2.97 metres is over 10cm longer than the existing XC60 SUV, aiding passenger legroom. With the rear seats in place, a boot capacity of 523 litres also beats the XC60, plus the electric model offers an extra 85 litres in its ‘frunk’.
Audio fans will be able to specify a 28-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, including speakers integrated into the headrests of the four main seats. The EX60 is the first Volvo with Apple Music pre-installed with Dolby Atmos, tuned to deliver an immersive, ‘spatial audio’ experience.
The EX60 is also a car you can ‘talk to naturally’, says Volvo, thanks to the latest Google Gemini AI assistant.
This should allow the driver and passenger to have personalised conversations with their EX60. Volvo promises rapid responses and ‘no lag’ when using the huge central touchscreen, too.
An EX60 Cross Country is coming
No self-respecting Volvo could come without plentiful safety technology, of course. The EX60 uses the company’s multi-adaptive seatbelt, which has sensors that react to the speed and angle of a collision to adjust tension in the belt, also making adjustments for the size and shape of the individual passenger.
Maintaining another Volvo tradition, a Cross Country version of the EX60 will be available for those who require off-road ability. Customers can choose between P10 and P12 powertrains, combined with standard all-wheel drive.
Cross Country trim means an extra 20mm of ground clearance versus the regular EX60. And the air suspension can add a further 20mm when needed.
A wider track, flared black wheelarch mouldings and stainless steel skid plates are further parts of the Cross Country package, along with the option of Frost Green – a brand new exterior paint colour.
First deliveries due this summer
European order banks for the EX60 open immediately, with the United States to follow in late spring. The first P6 and P10 models are expected by the summer, with the P12 due later in 2026.
Production will take place at Volvo’s Torslanda facility in Gothenburg, Sweden, with customers able to choose a pre-configured EX60 for rapid delivery. Alternatively, bespoke orders can be made, albeit with a longer lead time.
All EX60s come with a 10-year battery warranty as standard. For Swedish customers, three years of free home charging will be part of the deal, although this has yet to be confirmed for other markets.
UK prices and specifications will be confirmed by Volvo soon. Visit Motoring Research for more details on the EX60 as they are released.
Subaru wants rallying enthusiasts to party like it is 2002, helped by the return of a cut-price base model WRX sports sedan.
The new entry-level 2026 WRX will cost $32,495, which Subaru of America says is nearly the same price, adjusted for inflation, as the 2002 model.
However, after 25 years of progress, the 2026 WRX packs a 271 horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four engine. Subaru’s trademark asymmetric all-wheel-drive system remains, of course.
The return of the base WRX means there are now six different versions of the rally-bred four-door, including the special ‘Series.Yellow’ announced last year.
Based on the flagship WRX tS, the Series.Yellow only comes in a Sunrise Yellow paint color. Production is limited to 350 examples for the United States.
2026 WRX prices and equipment
For $32,495, the cheapest 2026 WRX offers a six-speed manual transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, and a rear-view camera.
An 11.6-inch touchscreen media system is standard, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus SiriusXM radio. The interior has cloth seats with red stitching and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The 2026 WRX Premium costs $3,755 less than the 2025 model, now with a starting price of $33,995. Heated front seats, heated door mirrors, LED fog lights, and a color-coded rear spoiler are part of the package.
Opting for the 2026 WRX in Limited specification adds power-adjustable seats in leather and ultrasuede, a Harman Kardon sound system, a powered moonroof, and color-coded exterior mirrors.
Prices for the WRX Limited start at $38,995 with a six-speed manual gearbox, or $39,995 with the paddle-shift Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT).
Cost savings across the WRX range
Subaru equips the $44,995 2026 WRX GT exclusively with the SPT, while also adding Recaro bucket seats, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, and sports suspension with electronic adjustment.
For the same $44,995 list price, the 2026 WRX tS maximizes performance, thanks to Brembo brakes, STI-tuned suspension, 19-inch satin gray alloy wheels, and bespoke settings for the Drive Mode selector.
Both the WRX GT and WRX tS represent cost savings compared to the 2025 models.
Topping the range for 2026 is the WRX Series.Yellow, which has the same STI performance enhancements as the tS model. Along with Sunrise Yellow paintwork, 19-inch matte black alloy wheels and black badging ensure that it stands out. Yellow detailing is found throughout the cabin, too.
All 2026 examples of the Subaru WRX are assembled in Gunma, Japan. The first US deliveries are expected in the spring.
The 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC has been revealed, expanding the Blue Oval’s range of track-ready muscle cars.
Developed with input from the Ford Racing motorsport division, the Mustang Dark Horse SC will bring lessons learned from the fearsome Mustang GTD to a wider audience.
Although the Mustang Dark Horse already has a strong focus on circuit driving, having even spawned a one-make race series, the SC version pushes this ethos still further.
A more powerful 5.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, bespoke bodywork, and enhanced suspension are all upgrades over the regular Dark Horse.
Ford will also offer an optional Dark Horse SC Track Pack, which adds carbon-ceramic brakes and more accessories.
Bringing the noise
Ford has not confirmed how powerful the Dark Horse SC’s engine will be. However, it shares much in common with the V-8 in the Mustang GTD racing at Daytona this weekend.
Fitted to the homologation-special GTD, the supercharged V-8 produces 815 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. This makes an output in excess of 750 hp seem likely for the Dark Horse SC, given the engine’s similarities to the one found in the previous-generation Mustang GT500.
Expect the Dark Horse SC’s exhaust to deliver a serious soundtrack, too. Ford’s engineers have apparently dedicated a substantial amount of time to tuning the tailpipes.
Other highlights include a new aluminum hood with a huge carbon fiber vent. This is said to generate 2.5 times more downforce than the item used on the regular Mustang Dark Horse.
There is also a bespoke front bumper to provide increased cooling for the supercharged V-8, plus revised settings for the Magneride suspension dampers.
This adds lightweight carbon fiber wheels, carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes, and sticky Michelin Cup 2 R tires. Ford Racing has also retuned the suspension to take account of the car’s reduced unsprung mass.
The Track Pack adds a sizable carbon fiber rear wing, plus a ducktail lip for the trunk decklid to boost aerodynamic efficiency by 10 percent. Compared to a regular Mustang Dark Horse, the SC can generate up to 620 lb of additional downforce.
Variable traction control allows drivers to choose from five levels of assistance. The electronic stability control can be fully deactivated, too.
Sculpted Recaro bucket seats form part of the Track Pack too, with gray or teal accents on offer. An optional Teal Accent Package applies this signature color to the seat belts, exterior badges, and the brake calipers.
Ready to stampede this summer
Ford has yet to confirm prices for the Dark Horse SC. However, even with the optional Track Pack, it will easily undercut the $327,000 asked for a Mustang GTD.
Regardless of the exact price, the level of performance engineering on offer means Ford won’t have trouble finding enthusiasts keen to own a more extreme Mustang Dark Horse.
For those who want greater exclusivity, Ford will also offer a limited-production Track Pack Special Edition for the 2026 model year. This will feature a carbon fiber exterior package, black-painted roof, red Brembo brake calipers, 3D-printed titanium paddle shifters, and unique painted hood graphics.
Special Edition buyers will be limited to a choice of Shadow Black or Oxford White paintwork, matched with Solar Red trim for the Recaro seats.
A 1996 Hummer H1 pickup truck, previously owned by the late rapper Tupac Shakur, will head to auction later this week.
The Hummer is being offered as part of the Bonhams 2026 Scottsdale Auction, which takes place at The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Arizona. It represents the chance to own a vehicle driven by one of hip hop’s greatest stars.
A Hummer H1 is already larger than life, so being associated with a cultural icon of the 1990s will likely make it even more attractive to auction-goers.
Even amidst a catalogue of lots that includes a unique Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, plus countless classic cars, the modified Hummer certainly stands out.
A true hip hop icon
Never afraid of controversy during his short music career, Tupac Shakur was propelled to superstardom by the launch of his debut album 2Pacalypse Now in 1991.
Despite various legal challenges, 1996 saw Tupac release his fourth album, All Eyez on Me, as a feud between East and West Coast hip hop artists reached boiling point.
His rapid success led to Tupac acquiring various vehicles. Configured in four-door pickup form, the Hummer H1 entered his ownership just weeks before the shooting in Las Vegas that claimed his life.
Despite the star’s short ownership period, his Hummer still underwent a series of modifications, gaining the nickname of the “Eliminator”.
Ready to take on the world
Changes made in period by Tupac include a full lighting kit, with 38-inch Cepek off-road lights and even a 360-degree spotlight.
A huge front brush guard was installed for extra protection, along with extensive diamond plate trim for the exterior. A substantial 12,000 lb winch and a PA system with sirens were also part of the package.
The interior received a luxurious makeover, too, with full beige leather and walnut trim for the dashboard. Naturally, the Clarion audio system also gained a major upgrade.
Beneath all the added accessories, the Hummer’s powertrain was unchanged. This means a 6.5-liter V-8 turbo diesel producing 205 hp and a brawny 440 lb-ft of torque, combined with a four-speed automatic transmission.
Various photographs captured Tupac behind the wheel of the Hummer, which will be included as part of the sale.
Ready to roll this week
Following Tupac’s death, the Hummer was listed as part of his estate inventory, and subsequently placed into storage for seven years.
Offered as a raffle prize in the 2003 BET-organized “Picture Me Rollin'” sweepstakes, the truck became a part of the Los Angeles hip hop scene over the following years.
Acquired by its current vendor in 2010, the H1 comes with a pre-auction estimate of between $375,000 and $540,000.
Expect all eyes to be on the legendary Hummer when it crosses the Bonhams block on Friday 23 January 2026.
Lower-income households earning less than £40,000 risk being left behind in the UK’s transition to electric cars, warns a new report from Autotrader.
This could lead to a ‘structural divide’ in who benefits from cheaper running costs and cleaner local air, warns the online marketplace.
Households earning less than £40,000 remain significantly less likely to consider an EV than higher-income households, according to the ‘No Driver Left Behind 2026’ report.
Less than half of households earning below £40,000 would consider going electric. This shoots up to 73 percent above £40,000, and a hefty 84 percent for households earning above £80,000.
In 2024, the UK’s median household income was around £36,600.
Challenges for lower-income households include affordability and awareness. Around two in five lower-income households buy used cars priced £5,000 or less, for example, but just one percent of used EVs currently fall into this bracket.
Lower-income households are also far less likely to have driven an EV, or know someone who drives one, ‘reinforcing perceptions of high cost and inconvenience’.
This is despite Autotrader stats showing that seven in 10 lower-income households actually have a driveway, making them ideally placed to benefit from lower-cost home charging.
For those who can charge at home, says the report, the average annual saving in car running costs could reach £1,500.
A ‘pivotal moment’ for electric cars
This year’s report follows a Budget that threatens to make EVs more expensive from 2028, thanks to the Chancellor’s proposed new electric car pay-per-mile road tax (known as eVED).
Nearly half of motorists told Autotrader they were less likely to go electric following the Budget announcement. Just one in three had unchanged views.
“We’re at a pivotal moment for the UK’s EV transition but there is still a lingering wealth divide,” said Autotrader chief customer officer, Ian Plummer.
“This new data busts the myth that those who can charge at home will definitely switch – the driveway divide is no longer so clear-cut.
“If lower income households can’t access affordable vehicles, we risk creating a two-tier system where the benefits of clean, cheaper motoring accrue to those already better off.”
The solution is clear, he said: more choice at lower price points, greater transparency around battery health and practical charging solutions for people without home driveways.
New figures from Leasing.com show the cost of monthly car lease deals fell again in 2025, following a similar decline in 2024.
Average personal lease costs were down 6.3 percent last year, to £301.50 per month, while business leases were down by 10.3 percent to £397.38 (excluding VAT).
With ever-increasing list prices for new vehicles, the firm says leasing can be a ‘stable way to access a new car’.
The data is part of Leasing.com’s 2025 Insights Report, which also reveals that motorists are moving away from traditional petrol and diesel cars at a growing pace.
Enquiries about petrol cars fell to 41 percent in 2025, down from 50 percent in 2024. Meanwhile, EV-related enquiries climbed to 34.1 percent – and hybrid enquiries more than doubled to 22.8 percent.
Diesel vehicles plummeted, however, from 6.4 percent to just 2.1 percent of all new car enquiries.
SUVs dominate the leasing market
Reflecting the broader new car market, SUVs dominated the top 10 most enquired-about new cars. The British-built Nissan Qashqai was in first place, followed by the Jaecoo 7, a Chinese hybrid SUV that ‘points to a willingness among consumers to consider newer entrants as well as well-known names’.
The Vauxhall Corsa, Britain’s best-selling supermini, was third, while the Ford Puma – the best-selling new car overall – was surprisingly down in sixth place in the leasing enquiry rankings.
Along with the Volkswagen Golf in eighth, the Vauxhall Corsa was the only non-SUV model to feature in the top 10.
Most enquired-about new cars
Nissan Qashqai
Jaecoo 7
Vauxhall Corsa
Vauxhall Grandland
Hyundai Tucson
Ford Puma
Nissan Juke
Volkswagen Golf
Peugeot 3008
Peugeot 5008
Puma is top EV – but Jaecoo 7 surprises
The Ford Puma did, however, top Leasing.com’s list of electric car-related enquiries, taking 5.8 percent of the share.
The new Polestar 4 was an impressive second, followed by the Leapmotor C10 (which caused a stir earlier in 2025 when the announcement of a C10 EV ‘grant’ saw interest surge more by than 2,600 percent).
“A wider model choice in 2025 has allowed new vehicles to enter the top five,” said Leasing.com CEO Mike Fazal, “supported by improvements in battery efficiency and a stronger charging network.
“With competition increasing across the market, we can expect the ranking of top EVs to continue evolving over the year ahead.”
Most enquired-about new EVs
Ford Puma
Polestar 4
Leapmotor C10
Tesla Model 3
BMW i4
Lower-mileage leases are popular
Another trend for 2025 was drivers choosing lower-mileage lease agreements. An annual total of 5,000 miles was the most popular mileage band, accounting for 35.4 percent of enquiries – up from 31.5 percent in 2024.
“Budget sensitivity plays a huge role in the popularity of lower-mileage leasing contracts,” said Fazal.
“Lower mileage means paying less for fuel and helps to reduce overall running costs, as well as lower monthly payments.”
Motorists also showed a growing preference for shorter leases, with 24-month agreements the most popular duration, representing 40.3 percent of enquiries.
Today (19 January) is commonly known as Blue Monday: apparently the most depressing and miserable day of the year.
Although Blue Monday has been dismissed as nothing more than marketing pseudo-science, there is no doubt the third Monday of each year typically brings little to feel cheerful about.
In 2025, Volkswagen attempted to help stave off Blue Monday gloom by offering free Polo supermini-shaped cookies to social media fans.
This year, however, we are celebrating the new Navy Blue paint colour, announced today for the third-generation Mazda CX-5.
It means UK customers now have eight paint hues to select from when the new version of the Japanese marque’s family SUV arrives later this year.
Mazda gets the new SUV blues
Mazda is often associated with its popular Soul Red paint colour, but the marque is keen to highlight that blue has also been a part of its history.
In fact, the company has frequently had the blues, with more than 150 different shades of the colour found in Mazda’s back catalogue. These were worn by models from the obscure R360 coupe to the all-conquering MX-5 roadster.
Deciding on a specific shade of blue for the new CX-5 was a global effort by Mazda’s design teams.
Alena Gersonde, colour and material specialist at Mazda’s European R&D centre, said: “We follow a co-creation approach with our colleagues in Japan when developing new exterior colours. This means sharing proposals both digitally and physically, exchanging feedback from both sides and gradually narrowing down the most suitable shades for upcoming model years.
“This process guided the development of Navy Blue for the CX-5, and we are already applying the same approach for future colour generations.”
Deeper than Deep Crystal Blue
The second-generation Mazda CX-5, produced between 2016 and 2025, did offer customers the chance to choose blue paint. However, the latest model created a fresh challenge for Mazda’s design team.
According to Alena Gersonde: “The goal was to create a new standard blue to outperform Mazda’s popular Deep Crystal Blue.
“The result is a high-resolution appearance with strong contrast, vivid and expressive in bright sunlight, yet deep and elegant under cloudy skies or night.”
Commenting on the new colour, Jo Stenuit, Mazda’s European design director, said: “The all-new CX-5 evolves an instantly recognisable design with greater confidence and versatility.
“Navy Blue was chosen to naturally enhance its Kodo surfaces. It’s a colour that strengthens the design’s presence while feeling familiar, refined and easy to live with.”
New Mazda CX-5 due in 2026
Revealed last year, the third-generation CX-5 continues the use of Mazda’s ‘Kodo Design’ approach, but is a larger vehicle both inside and out. Boot capacity has increased by 61 litres versus its predecessor.
Mazda is in the process of developing a range of electric models, but the CX-5 will stick with petrol power. In the UK, that means 141hp 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with mild hybrid technology.
A six-speed automatic gearbox will be fitted to all versions, although buyers have choice between front- or all-wheel-drive traction.
Set to arrive this spring, UK prices and spec details for the new Mazda CX-5 will be confirmed soon.
Kia is on a mission to deliver a broad range of futuristic EVs, but it has not forgotten the humble, petrol-powered estate car.
After the unveiling of the compact EV2 electric SUV at this month’s Brussels Motor Show, Kia also announced the new K4 Sportswagon.
It represents the first new Kia estate car since the Proceed of 2019. And the K4 Sportswagon looks set to offer practicality and affordable prices, along with a dash of style.
Like the K4 hatchback it is based upon, the Sportswagon is bigger than traditional C-segment estste models, such as the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports.
In fact, the Kia is closer in scale to a Skoda Octavia Estate, with a wheelbase that is even longer than its Czech rival.
Big on space and style
Its dimensions mean that, depending on the powertrain chosen, the K4 Sportwagon offers up to 604 litres of luggage capacity with the rear seats in place. This is 166 litres more than the K4 hatchback, and only 36 litres behind the Skoda Octavia Estate.
Folding down the rear seats increases cargo space inside the K4 Sportswagon to a maximum of 1,439 litres.
Choosing a mild hybrid model reduces load capacity to 482 litres or 1,382 litres, however, depending on whether the back seats are in use.
There are neat design touches, such as the rear door handles being hidden in the C-pillar. The GT-Line model will offer sportier bumpers and gloss black details.
Petrol and mild hybrid engines
Kia says the engines for the K4 Sportswagon will help owners make the transition to electrification.
It borrows from the powertrain options available for the K4 hatchback, starting with a 115hp turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine.
A six-speed manual gearbox (remember them?) is standard, while a mild hybrid version of the 1.0 engine can be specified with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
For those in search of more power, Kia will offer the K4 Sportswagon with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine. Fitted with the dual-clutch automatic gearbox as standard, buyers can choose between 150hp and 180hp outputs.
Later in 2026, Kia plans to add a full hybrid model to the K4 Sportswagon range. However, fans of classic estate cars may be disappointed to see no mention of a diesel engine on the cards.
‘Practicality without compromise’
As with the K4 hatchback, Kia has given the Sportswagon a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, a 5.3-inch climate control screen and a 12.3-inch central infotainment touchscreen.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity are included as standard, along with an AI-powered voice assistant.
UK prices for the K4 Sportswagon have yet to be confirmed. They should be competitive, though, given the £25,995 starting figure for the hatchback.
“With the K4 Sportswagon, we are extending the appeal of the K4 to customers who value space and versatility as much as they are interested in design and technology,” said Sjoerd Knipping, chief operating officer at Kia Europe.
“By offering this wagon, we continue to show our ambition to provide practical solutions without compromising on innovation.”
BYD has underscored the durability of its innovative ‘Blade’ electric car battery by extending its eight-year warranty to a whopping 155,000 miles.
This is up from the previous 93,000-mile warranty limit. And the change won’t only apply to new cars, but to BYD models already registered and on the road, too.
What’s more, the cover includes both fully electric and ‘Super Hybrid’ plug-in hybrid vehicles.
The extended 155,000-mile battery warranty complements BYD’s existing six-year, 93,000-mile new car warranty, along with its 12-year, unlimited-mileage anti-rust warranty.
The increased limit means that if the battery’s state of health drops below 70 percent in the car’s first 155,000 miles, BYD will rectify it free of charge.
BYD’s Blade battery explained
The Blade battery uses LFP technology, which is safer, more robust and, because it doesn’t use any nickel or cobalt, also more sustainable.
BYD says it has been proven to exceed 3,000 charge and discharge cycles – equivalent to a service life of almost 750,000 miles.
The Blade is also slimmer than many alternative EV batteries, taking up 50 percent less cabin space and therefore maximising interior room.
BYD models sold in the UK that currently use Blade battery technology include the Dolphin Surf, Dolphin, Seal, Atto 2, Atto 3, Seal U and Sealion 7.
Globally, BYD outsold Tesla for the first time in 2025, and the Chinese company is now on a sustained new-model drive that includes the UK.
Many more new BYD cars will be launched here in 2026 – starting next week, when Motoring Research drives the new BYD Sealion 5 for the first time.
Come back soon for our first drive of the £29,995 plug-in hybrid – freshly boosted by its 155,000-mile EV battery warranty, of course.
