Broken EV Chargers: Same Day Repair or Replace for UK Businesses
If your charger has stopped working, faults can involve a tripped protective device, a damaged cable or the charger itself, so avoid handling damaged equipment and contact a qualified technician if you suspect an electrical fault. Small mechanical faults are usually repairable; repeated electronic failures or an older, unsupported model usually point to replacement. If you need charging restored urgently, contact a qualified technician; if not, arrange a site survey before you commit either way.
TL;DR:
Check the dedicated breaker and record error codes, LED patterns, and when the fault began, but never alter protective devices or touch damaged equipment.
Repair usually suits cable, connector, tether, or enclosure faults when parts remain available; failed internal electronics or unsupported models favor replacement.
A 7 kW unit typically costs £400 to £700; a simple installation totals about £800 to £1,200, while complex projects can reach £2,000.
Use a qualified installer, obtain testing and certification, and check warranty or grant terms before alterations; network approval and civil work can add weeks.
Table of Contents
Quick troubleshooting you can do now to isolate the fault
Before you book a call-out, a few safe checks can tell you whether the fault sits with the vehicle, the charger or your electrical supply. Many “dead” chargers are simply tripped by an external electrical event, and ruling that out first can save you an unnecessary visit.
Check the dedicated circuit breaker and consumer unit for a tripped switch, and do not reset it if you are unsure whether it is safe; contact a qualified technician.
Note the RCD or RCBO status for the technician, and do not attempt to alter or bypass protective devices.
If you can do so without handling damaged equipment, note whether the problem occurs with another charger or vehicle, and tell the technician.
Look for visible damage without touching the equipment, and take photographs from a safe distance if possible.
Note any error codes or LED patterns the charger or vehicle displays, along with when the fault started.
Pro Tip: Keep a short written log of what happened before the fault (weather, recent use, any error lights) as it often speeds up diagnosis considerably.
Repair versus replace: a practical decision framework
Once you’ve ruled out the obvious, the next question is whether repair makes commercial sense or whether replacement is the better route. The answer usually comes down to where the damage sits and what it will cost to fix versus replace.
Repair is generally the sensible choice when:
The fault is limited to the cable, connector or tether assembly rather than the internal electronics.
There’s a visible mechanical fault, such as a cracked enclosure or loose fixing, with parts still available.
The unit tripped because of an external event (a surge, a storm, a nearby fault) and otherwise tested sound.
Replacement tends to make more sense when:
The internal power electronics have failed, which is usually a sign of age or a manufacturing fault rather than wear.
Spare parts or manufacturer support are no longer available, which is common on older or discontinued models.
The unit is approaching the end of its working life, or the repair quote starts to close in on the cost of a new install.
Before you ask for a quote, gather the diagnostic details: error codes, maintenance history, photographs of any damage and the model and serial number. That lets a technician give you an accurate price rather than a worst-case estimate, and it shortens the time between call-out and a working charger.
Typical costs and timeline for repair, cable replacement and full replacement or installation
Costs vary with the scale of the fault, but a few components recur on most quotes: a call-out or diagnostic fee, parts, labour, and the certification and testing that has to accompany any electrical work. Consumer unit or earthing work, where needed, adds to the bill.
A simple cable or connector repair is usually the cheapest and fastest fix, often completed in a single visit.
A consumer unit upgrade or additional earthing work can add cost and time, since it involves more of the fixed wiring.
A full replacement, especially where the cable run is long or buried, takes longest because of civil works and any network approvals.
Diagnostic and call-out fees apply even to small jobs, so it’s worth asking what’s included before booking.
For scale, a mid-range 7kW domestic charger unit typically costs £400 to £700, with a simple installation totalling around £800 to £1,200 and complex installs reaching £1,200 to £2,000. Commercial jobs may involve different costs and cost drivers.
On timelines, a simple fault may be triaged and temporarily resolved promptly, while repair timing depends on the fault and parts availability, and a full replacement involving network approvals or civil works can run to several weeks.
Who can legally repair or replace your charger
For commercial chargepoints, the installer must follow BS 7671 and the IET Code of Practice. Ask your installer what testing and documentation apply to your repair or replacement. Commercial chargepoints also need to meet BS EN 61851 and come with a minimum three-year warranty on parts and installation, so it’s worth checking that any replacement unit meets this before you sign off the job.
Ask the installer about their qualifications and experience, and what testing and documentation they will provide.
Ask your installer whether your project needs approval or notification from the distribution network operator, and whether this could affect the schedule.
If the chargepoint is grant-funded or still under warranty, check the applicable terms before arranging an alteration.
Ask for the test paperwork and certification on completion. This documents the work carried out and the test results.
If you’re relying on grant support for the replacement, note that funding routes have changed. The flats, renters and residential landlord chargepoint grants moved to a new application platform from 1 April 2026, with installers notified by email and specific claim deadlines to meet. For a wider look at what your business might qualify for, our grants eligibility guidance sets out the current routes.
How to get charging restored quickly and safely
While a permanent fix is being arranged, there are safe short-term options that keep your site running without compromising on compliance.
Ask your technician whether a replacement cable assembly or tether is appropriate, and have any work tested before the charger is used again.
If your site has another working charger or a nearby public charger, ask your technician whether it is suitable to use while the repair is arranged.
For fleets, look at temporary mobile charging or a sharing arrangement with a neighbouring site if one is available.
Keep the faulty unit out of use and contact a qualified technician. Do not bring it back online until the technician has assessed it.
Never attempt a DIY fix on the mains side or bypass a protective device to get a charger working again. Do not use the charger after a repair until a qualified technician has assessed it and confirmed it is safe.
Our approach to minimising downtime for business customers
We work to a simple sequence when a charger fails: triage the fault first, restore charging with a safe temporary fix where one’s possible, then plan the permanent repair or replacement around your site’s schedule. Our maintenance plans are built around this phased approach, so disruption to your operation stays as short as possible. If you’re dealing with a failed charger now, we’re glad to talk through your options or a site survey.
— Swift Charging
How we can help: maintenance, emergency repair and replacement
Whether you’re planning a full site upgrade or need help with a faulty charger, we offer scheduled maintenance under our Basic, Standard and Fully Managed plans, as well as full replacement or new installation where that’s the better route.
To speed up your call-out, have the site location, any photographs of the fault, error codes and details of site access ready when you contact us. If you’re weighing up a wider upgrade rather than a single repair, our workplace EV charging page covers what a managed replacement looks like for commercial sites, and our maintenance services page explains our maintenance options.
FAQ
How much does it cost to replace an EV charger?
Costs depend on the scope of work, but a mid-range 7kW unit typically costs £400 to £700, with a straightforward installation totalling roughly £800 to £1,200. More complex jobs involving longer cable runs or consumer unit upgrades can reach £1,200 to £2,000 or more.
Can EV chargers be repaired?
Many faults are repairable, particularly cable, connector or tether damage, or trips caused by an external electrical event rather than internal failure. Replacement tends to be the better option when the internal electronics have failed or spare parts are no longer supported.
Can you replace an EV charger yourself?
No. Any work on a charger’s electrical connection has to meet BS 7671 and be carried out by a competent, registered installer who tests and certifies the work, so this isn’t a job for a DIY approach.
What is the lifespan of an EV charger?
Lifespan varies by model and usage, but commercial units are required to carry a minimum three-year warranty on parts and installation, which gives a useful baseline for budgeting replacement timing. Routine maintenance and prompt repair of minor faults help a unit reach the fuller end of its working life.
Sources
Primary documents and authoritative guidance
For readers who want to check the detail themselves, the technical specification for commercial chargepoints sets out the BS EN 61851 and BS 7671 requirements installers must follow, and the grant scheme changes from April 2026 page covers the current funding routes. If your project involves breaking ground for a public chargepoint, the street works permit guidance explains what’s required. For a broader look at grant eligibility from outside our own site, this guide to EV charger grants is a useful starting point.
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