• The Brazil-spec BYD Dolphin uses a 94 horsepower motor, fed by a 45 kWh battery. It is rated for 251 miles of range (405 km) in Brazil. 
• This car was used as a rideshare vehicle, primarily. 
• It has had routine maintenance, including its electric motor’s coolant and oil changed at the 200,000 km (124,000 miles) mark. 

One of the biggest question marks with Chinese vehicles is “How long will they last?” And I have to admit that we don’t really know.

As a whole, Chinese brands are generally all new and have come a long way in a very short amount of time. The rightful perception of old, unreliable and poorly-made Chinese knockoff clones from the late aughties may not hold up against the modern and sleek EVs of China’s new era. Still, this is all so new that we won’t know just how well these things will wear until more are on the roads—nor is such data readily available to Western sources.

But owner accounts can give us a good idea. Chinese cars have made inroads into Latin America for quite a while now. Brazil, in particular, has had BYD’s electric cars and hybrids for a little over two years, starting with the Dolphin and Dolphin Mini (Seagull). One guy, known on YouTube as “Gilson,” has good experience with BYD’s cars. He’s got several videos about higher-mile BYD products, one of which is a Dolphin that is cruising north of 135,000 miles (220,000 km).

From what we can see, the Dolphin has held up well.

A few days ago, he posted a walkaround of a 220,000 kilometer (135,000 mile) BYD Dolphin, which has amassed this amount of miles in the two years it’s been on the road. Like all the other Brazil-spec BYD Dolphins, this car has the same 95 horsepower electric motor turning the front wheels, fed by a 45 kWh battery. BYD says this car is good for 251 miles (405 km) on a single charge, according to NEDC standards. 

In the two years the car has been in service, the presenter says that there’s not much that’s gone wrong with the car. It still has its original brake pads and rotors, even. “No, it’s still in order. I have nothing to complain about,” said Mr. Elio, a rideshare driver contracted out through Gilson’s company. The driver even said that the car still consistently shows its maximum 405 km (251 miles) range. 

Gilson also partially credits the car’s longevity to staying up on routine maintenance. In 220,000 the car has had its coolant and electric motor differential fluids replaced. During its 200,000 km (124,000 miles) video, they also swapped the brake fluid, since it is recommended to do a complete flush every other year. 

The only real wear on the car would be its interior. After more than 100,000 miles worth of passengers, the faux leather (vinyl) could use a deep clean to remove the body oils and soil that have accumulated on the car. It’s still generally clean and tidy, though. 

This isn’t his only high-mileage BYD video, either. He also posted a similar video of a 100,000 km (62,000 miles) BYD Seagull (called Dolphin Mini in Brazil). Like the Dolphin, this car is also in good shape, although it did have an issue with an underbody aero shield.

The Dolphin Mini’s low ground clearance wasn’t a match for Brazil’s roads, and thus, some terrain tore it off, and it needed to be repaired. Otherwise, the only real thing its owner has done is change the cabin air filter.

Gilson thinks the high-mileage Dolphin will last well beyond 300,000 km (186,000 miles). 

These low prices are attractive, but there’s always going to be a lingering question: “Do you get what you pay for?” And at least initially, it seems like BYD’s cars are in fact walking the walk, pairing low prices with quality that lasts.

Contact the author: Kevin.Williams@InsideEVs.com