The Rise of Chinese EVs – Should You Buy One?

It wasn’t that long ago that the idea of buying a car from a Chinese brand would have raised a few eyebrows. Fast-forward to 2025, and things are changing — fast. Whether it’s MG (yes, it’s Chinese-owned now), BYD, or newcomers like GWM Ora and Xpeng, Chinese manufacturers are making a big push into the UK EV market. And they’re not just making cheap runarounds anymore, they’re building serious competition for the likes of VW, Tesla, and Hyundai.

So what’s the catch?

Let’s start with the obvious: price. Chinese EVs are, on the whole, good value. You can pick up something like the BYD Dolphin or MG4 and get plenty of range, tech, and safety kit for far less than many European or Korean alternatives. For a lot of people, that’s reason enough to take the plunge. But value isn’t just about the purchase price it's about what happens after you buy. And this is where things could get interesting.

Most Chinese EVs offer long warranties of sometimes up to 7 or even 8 years, especially on the battery. That sounds reassuring, but it raises a few questions: Who honours those warranties? Are the dealer networks robust enough? What happens if your brand-new EV needs a replacement part in five years' time?

This is where I’d urge potential buyers to do a bit of homework. Some brands, like MG, already have a growing UK dealer presence and a good track record for support. Others are still establishing themselves, which could mean longer waits for servicing, limited parts availability, or having to travel further for help. This can also affect insurance prices too meaning at the moment many Chinese vehicles are more to insure than their European counterparts. Then there's residual value. A cheaper upfront price doesn’t always mean better long-term value if the car depreciates faster. Some finance deals are already showing this trend with lower predicted resale values for lesser-known Chinese brands.

That said, I don’t think we should dismiss these cars out of hand. Some are genuinely impressive. The MG4 has won multiple awards, and BYD has serious tech under the bonnet. In some areas like battery innovation, they’re actually ahead of the game.

So, should you buy one?

If you’re happy being an early adopter, and you’ve got a local dealer you trust, a Chinese EV could be a smart buy. Just go in with your eyes open. Ask about servicing. Find out what happens if something goes wrong. And make sure the support behind the badge is as strong as the spec sheet. Because a good EV isn’t just about what it does on the road it’s also about what happens when it’s parked on the drive and something needs fixing.