EV trends show shift in buying habits as repair costs edge upward

The latest Electric Vehicle Data Insights from Gecko Risk suggest a shift in EV ownership trends across the UK, with more practical, lower-cost vehicles now leading new registrations – while average repair costs continue to show signs of upward pressure.

According to the February 2026 report, the top five battery electric vehicle (BEV) brands registered last month were Ford, Volkswagen, Kia, Skoda and Renault – noticeably absent were the premium brands such as Audi, BMW and Tesla. This shift could indicate a gradual move away from EVs as luxury-led purchases, towards more mainstream, practical motoring decisions.

Chinese OEMs didn’t feature in the top five BEVs last month, although hybrid models such as the Jaecoo 7 and BYD Seal U continue to show growing traction in the UK market.

Meanwhile, EV repair costs remain a key area of focus. Although average costs have stayed relatively steady in recent months, Gecko Risk notes a potential rise once longer-duration, higher-cost repairs from late 2025 are fully accounted for. Early signs also point to month-on-month increases in parts costs.

Among major manufacturers, Audi saw the largest single-month rise in average repair cost at the end of 2025, while Tesla remained relatively stable.

The report also includes insights into European market dynamics, highlighting that Volkswagen overtook Tesla as Europe’s top EV seller in 2025, based on registrations across 28 countries.

For more information or access to the full Gecko Risk data suite, contact: team@geckorisk.com