An MG5 electric car owner has reported a dangerous power system malfunction after charging at a motorway service station. The vehicle became unresponsive to controls, including the off button, and later surged forward when put into reverse, crashing into an AA van.
The AA patrolman, who was test driving the car, applied the brake but the vehicle did not stop. It rammed into the AA van, with wheels spinning and smoking as it tried to accelerate. All occupants managed to exit safely, and the patrolman eventually turned off the car from outside.
The AA paid £2,500 for repairs, and the dealership investigated the fault, charging £500, but found nothing. MG closed the case, insisting that a further investigation would be at the owner's expense. The car remains at the dealership six weeks later.
MG later commissioned a more detailed investigation, including a 25-mile test drive using various public chargers, at no cost to the owner. The company stated that no malfunctions were detected and concluded that an error occurred not related to the car.
The owner has lost confidence in the vehicle and plans to sell it. MG has been criticised for its handling of the incident, with the owner expressing concern over the potential harm from an out-of-control EV.
