'I'm a mechanic - what I found when I took apart a Chinese electric car surprised me'

A top mechanic was left stunned after discovering major European car parts fitted inside China's electric vehicles. Chinese electric cars are slowly becoming major players in Europe and the UK, with new brands emerging to challenge existing Western brands.

Low prices are a big promise when it comes to Chinese electric cars, with vehicles often tens of thousands of pounds cheaper than more traditional rivals. Many drivers may come to the conclusion that cheap prices mean that lower-quality parts have been fitted to their vehicle. But a mechanic has revealed that may not necessarily be the case, with many top European items found on more expensive cars still equipped.

The expert pulled out batteries made by German brand Varta and belts from US company Gates as he dissected a Chinese MG ZS.

Speaking on a TikTok video and quoted by El Debate Motor, the mechanic said: "Let's start with the battery. You probably know that the largest battery manufacturers are Varta, Tudor, and Yuasa.

"Well, this car has a Varta battery, which is German. So, MG uses a Varta battery. Next up: belts. What brand of belts does it use? Daiko? Continental? Gates?

"In this case, it uses Gates. Focus in a bit - see if you can zoom in. As you can see, it clearly says Gates, which is an American brand. So far: German battery (Varta), American belt (Gates)."

The MG ZS is still one of the cheapest electric vehicles on the market, with models available for just under the £20,000 mark.

As well as offering plenty of room, the MG ZS has two baretry options, with the Long Range model capable of up to 273 miles, according to WLTP estimates.

To help alleviate fears of making the switch to EVs, MG also offers a comprehensive 7-year manufacturer's warranty.

The mechanic added: "To summarise - mostly German brands so far. Out of the five or six main components we've checked, they're mostly European brands. In other words, they use practically the same brands as any European car.

"So ask yourself: is it worth spending money on this car? Instead of being 100% Chinese, it turns out to have about 40% European parts. You have the final say. I'm just showing you what's inside, so you can decide for yourself."