ChatGPT generated a table of "estimated failure probabilities over 0-5 years" and stated: BEV 10-15%, petrol 8-12%, hybrid 6-10%, LPG 15-25%. Sounds plausible. The problem: these are made-up statistics — no real source collects data in this format. ADAC analysed 3.6 million roadside breakdown calls. Consumer Reports surveyed 380,000 owners. TUV inspected 10 million cars at technical tests. What do the real data say?
ADAC 2024 - Europe's largest roadside assistance programme
ADAC (Germany) logs every breakdown call-out. In 2024 it analysed data from 2020-2022 covering more than 3.6 million interventions. The results are the opposite of what ChatGPT claimed:
EVs break down 2.5 times less often than combustion cars in terms of roadside failures. Why? A BEV has no timing chain, clutch, gearbox, exhaust system, or the dozens of sensors related to combustion. An electric motor has very few moving parts. Fewer parts — fewer breakdowns.
The most common BEV breakdown causes are: a dead 12V auxiliary battery (yes — not the traction battery!), software issues, and tyres. None of these are specific to the electric drivetrain.
Consumer Reports 2024 - 380,000 owners in the USA
Consumer Reports measures something different from ADAC: it asks owners about all problems experienced during the year, not just those requiring roadside help. That is a broader and more subjective criterion. The results differ:
Why does a BEV have more "problems" according to Consumer Reports, yet fewer breakdowns according to ADAC? Because these surveys measure different things. Consumer Reports counts every owner-reported issue — including software bugs, unusual noises, faulty apps, charging problems in extreme cold. ADAC counts only faults that require a recovery truck.
BEVs are more software-complex, have more screens and sensors, and are a newer technology with a shorter manufacturing refinement history. Hence more "minor issues". But they strand you on the roadside far less often.
PHEVs come out worst — they combine two drivetrains (electric + combustion) without eliminating the weaknesses of either. Technically the hardest combination to get right.
TUV Report 2024/2025 - 10 million technical inspections
TUV does not compare drivetrains in aggregate — data are per model. A few examples from the 2024/2025 report (share of cars failing their first inspection, age 2-3 years):
| Model | Drivetrain | Defects at inspection |
|---|---|---|
| VW Golf Sportsvan | ICE | 4.2% |
| Toyota Yaris | HEV | ~5% |
| Skoda Octavia | ICE | ~6% |
| VW ID.4 | BEV | ~10% |
| Tesla Model Y | BEV | 17.3% |
| Average of all cars | - | ~20-21% |
The Tesla Model Y scores poorly at TUV — mainly due to panel gaps, paint imperfections and interior trim issues, not the electric drivetrain itself. The VW ID.4 does noticeably better. TUV conclusion: reliability depends more on manufacturer and model than on drivetrain type.
LPG - no mass statistical data
ChatGPT gave 15-25% for LPG — that number is invented. No major research institution (ADAC, TUV, Consumer Reports) collects data separately for LPG as a category. Known typical LPG issues include: reducers, gas injectors, seals, ignition systems — but their frequency depends on installation quality, ECU brand, driving style and servicing regularity.
Good-quality sequential installations (ALEX, STAG, BRC) with regular servicing (every 10-15,000 km) have a solid reputation among users. But "reputation" is not ADAC data.
What each study actually measures
| Source | What it measures | Best category |
|---|---|---|
| ADAC 2024 | Roadside breakdowns requiring recovery | BEV (4.2 vs 10.4/1,000) |
| Consumer Reports 2024 | All owner-reported problems | HEV (-15% vs petrol) |
| TUV Report 2024 | Defects at TUV inspection | Depends on model, not drivetrain |
| ChatGPT (table) | Not stated — no methodology | Made up, do not cite |
Fact-checking the ChatGPT table — claim by claim
| ChatGPT claim | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Hybrid (HEV): 6-10%, best | Partially true — HEV is best per CR |
| Petrol: 8-12% | No such figure in any source |
| EV: 10-15%, worse than petrol | False per ADAC — EV 2.5x better |
| Diesel: 12-18% | ADAC groups diesel with petrol as ICE |
| LPG: 15-25%, worst | No mass data — number invented |
Conclusion - practical takeaways
If you are worried about being stranded on the roadside — ADAC data points to BEV as the most reliable drivetrain (fewer moving parts, no timing chain, clutch or exhaust).
If you are worried about any problem with the car — Consumer Reports points to HEV as the leader, and BEV as a drivetrain still maturing (software, charging infrastructure, manufacturing).
If you are interested in a specific model — TUV says the Tesla Model Y (17.3%) is significantly more problematic than the VW ID.4, even though both are BEVs. Manufacturer and model matter more than drivetrain type.
Reliability is one of many components of total cost of ownership. Check the full TCO for your situation in the czympojade.pl TCO wizard — it includes servicing and insurance costs per drivetrain type.
Sources: ADAC Pannenstatistik 2024 (evcube.net, electriccarscheme.com); Consumer Reports Annual Auto Reliability Survey 2024 (consumerreports.org); TUV Report 2024/2025 (herthundbuss.com, arenaev.com); ALEX LPG — typical installation issues (alexlpg.com).