How capacity guarantees work, where they differ from statutory warranties, and what pitfalls lie ahead.
Most manufacturers advertise a warranty on the traction battery, often for eight years. However, the guarantee is more limited than many realize. This article explains what a battery warranty actually covers, how it differs from the statutory warranty, and what you need to be aware of to ensure the warranty is effective when needed.
What the manufacturer's warranty on the battery promises
The battery warranty is a voluntary commitment from the manufacturer. A typical lifespan is eight years or 160,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. Some manufacturers offer longer warranties, such as ten years or a significantly higher mileage.
Manufacturers typically guarantee that the battery's usable capacity will not fall below a certain level during this period, usually around 70 percent. If the capacity drops below this level, it is a warranty case. The manufacturer will then replace individual modules or the entire battery.
What's important is what the warranty doesn't cover. It addresses gradual capacity loss below the threshold, not every defect or reduction in range. For other defects, statutory rights remain applicable.
Is your battery noticeably losing capacity, and you're wondering if it's covered under warranty? Have the case checked.
Warranty or guarantee? The crucial difference
Warranty and guarantee are often confused, but they are two different things. Both can exist side by side.
- Warranty: A legal right against the seller. For a new car, this right typically lasts for two years from delivery. During the first year, it is presumed in favor of the consumer that any defect shown was already present at the time of delivery.
- Guarantee: A voluntary contractual commitment, usually by the manufacturer. It goes beyond statutory rights, but only applies under the conditions set by the manufacturer.
This is important for you because the two options work differently. A warranty is against the retailer and covers any defect that was present at the time of delivery. A guarantee is against the manufacturer and only applies if the specific capacity threshold has not been exceeded and the guarantee conditions have been met.
Not sure which course of action applies in your case? We'll review your warranty and guarantee options simultaneously.
The pitfalls of the battery warranty
The battery warranty sounds generous, but there are some catches you should be aware of.
- Restoration only up to the threshold: In the event of a warranty claim, the manufacturer typically only restores the battery to the guaranteed minimum capacity, around 70 percent, not to its original, like-new condition. Therefore, you should not expect a brand-new battery.
- High entrance threshold: As long as the capacity exceeds the threshold, the warranty does not apply. A noticeable loss of, for example, 20 percent may therefore fall outside the warranty, even though it is clearly disruptive in everyday use.
- Strict conditions: Many warranties require adherence to maintenance guidelines, the performance of prescribed software updates, and careful charging. Deep discharge due to extended periods of inactivity can also jeopardize the warranty.
- Verifiable usage history: Manufacturers store battery data and can track usage. This allows them to prove improper handling and may lead to the product being excluded from the warranty.
Precisely because the warranty is subject to conditions, it is worth taking a close look at the warranty terms and conditions before relying solely on them.
Is the manufacturer rejecting a warranty claim or citing your usage? We'll check whether the rejection is justified.
If the warranty doesn't apply: the guarantee
Precisely because the warranty threshold is high and depends on conditions, the statutory warranty often remains the more important option. It doesn't only kick in at 70 percent.
If the battery loses capacity faster than would be expected given its age and mileage, this can constitute a defect, even if the capacity is still above the warranty threshold. In this case, the statutory rights against the retailer apply, namely subsequent performance, price reduction, cancellation of the contract, or damages.
If the capacity loss significantly reduces the range below the advertised value, the same rule applies as in the case of a pure lack of range, which we explain on our page about... Reversal of an electric car purchase due to insufficient range explain.
Your warranty claim was rejected, but your battery is aging noticeably fast? We'll check your statutory warranty rights as an alternative.
Special features of used cars
When buying a used electric car, the battery warranty is a crucial issue, as age and mileage already reduce the remaining warranty period. Therefore, check how much warranty time and mileage remain.
A second point is transferability. The warranty is usually vehicle-specific and continues with the vehicle. However, some manufacturers require an explicit assignment or transfer to the new owner. If this is omitted, the warranty claim may be lost.
In addition, statutory warranty rights apply when purchasing from a retailer, although the warranty period may be contractually shortened. What to consider when buying from a retailer. Buying a used car from a dealer with defects We will explain the details separately. An expert report on the battery's condition before purchase provides peace of mind.
Are you buying or do you already own a used electric car? We check the warranty period, transferability, and guarantee.
What you should do
To ensure you don't end up empty-handed in an emergency, you should keep a few things in mind.
- Read the warranty conditions: Check the threshold, duration, obligations and exclusions before relying on the guarantee.
- Comply with obligations: Adhere to maintenance and software updates and charge gently to avoid voiding the warranty.
- Document the condition: Have the battery's health measured and keep the results.
- Check both options: Don't rely solely on the warranty; have the guarantee checked as well.
Rogert & Ulbrich are familiar with the legal mechanics behind battery and manufacturer claims from numerous vehicle-related legal proceedings. emissions scandal familiar and can be applied to battery cases in electric cars.
Don't accept a manufacturer's rejection without having it reviewed. The sooner your case is examined, the more options you have.
Rogert & Ulbrich – Your lawyers specializing in electric vehicle defect law
Rogert & Ulbrich represents consumers nationwide in vehicle defect law and has its own Automotive sector as well as a bundled page on Tesla defects. The law firm of Dr. Marco Rogert and Tobias Ulbrich has represented a large number of consumers and conducted vehicle-related litigation against manufacturers for many years in the emissions scandal. This experience in enforcement is now benefiting buyers of electric cars.
We review your warranty terms, assess the condition of your battery, and enforce claims under both the warranty and guarantee. We negotiate out of court with the retailer and manufacturer. If no satisfactory solution is reached, we will pursue your rights in court.
Is your manufacturer rejecting a battery warranty claim? Get in touch and secure your rights.
