12V Battery Drain
ModerateElectrics & ElectronicsThe 12V battery can drain if the car is left unused for several days, leading to a failure to start.
Est. Repair Cost: £100–£200
Reliability GuideCommon Problems with the
Common Problems with the
2020 Honda e
The Honda e launched in the UK as a distinctive electric city car with a compact 35.5kWh battery. Real-world winter range dropped to 70-80 miles, making it best suited as a city commuter with home charging.
What changed for 2020
- •UK launch of Honda e electric city car
- •35.5kWh battery with 137 miles official range
- •Five digital screens across the dashboard
- •Rear-wheel-drive layout for agile handling
Common MOT watch-outs
- !12V battery drain if car left unused
- !Software glitches requiring updates
- !Charging cable release mechanism jamming
3
Known Issues
0
Serious
1
Moderate
2
Minor
All Known Issues
Reduced Winter Range
MinorElectrics & ElectronicsThe Honda e’s small battery means its range can drop to 70–80 miles in typical UK winter weather.
Est. Repair Cost: £0
Side Camera Condensation
MinorBodywork & RustThe camera-based wing mirrors can occasionally suffer from internal condensation, blurring the side screens.
Est. Repair Cost: £0–£400
Buying Tips for 2020 Honda e
- ✓Check the 12V battery health; many have been replaced under warranty, and a weak one can cause total vehicle shutdown.
- ✓Understand that real-world winter range is significantly lower than the official figure—budget for 70–80 miles in cold UK weather.
- ✓Verify that all software updates (including the 2024 fixes) have been applied by a Honda dealer.
- ✓Test the charging cable release mechanism; the locking pin can sometimes jam after charging.
- ✓Inspect the camera-based wing mirrors for internal condensation, which can blur the side-view screens.
- ✓Check the condition of the interior screens—while they are a highlight, the digitiser can occasionally develop ghost touches.