Reliability, safety, running costs and what to check before you buy.
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With 1,699 currently licensed in the UK, the BYD Dolphin is one of Britain's well-known cars.
Euro NCAP awarded the Dolphin 5 stars in 2023, with 91% adult occupant and 89% child protection scores.
Annual running costs are estimated at £1,823 for a typical 5-year-old example, breaking down to £152/month or 23p/mile.
NCAP Safety
2023
Monthly Cost
£152
est. annual total
New From
£34,000
Euro NCAP tested the Dolphin in 2023 and awarded it 5 out of 5 stars.
Adult Occupant
91%
Child Occupant
89%
Pedestrian
73%
Safety Assist
91%
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old BYD Dolphin are estimated at around £1,823 per year, or £152 per month.
Fuel
£0
/year
Road Tax
£195
/year
Depreciation
£1,373
/year
MOT
£55
/year
Estimated annual running costs based on available data. Excludes insurance, parking, and finance costs. Actual costs depend on your driving habits and circumstances.
Battery
60 kWh
Range (WLTP)
265 mi
Motor
150 kW
201 bhp
Drive
FWD
Rapid charge: 29 min (10-80%) | Home charge: 7h (0-100%)
Starting from £34,000 new, a BYD Dolphin typically retains about 56% after 3 years and 46% after 5 years.
| Age | Retained | Est. Value | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 75% | £25,500 | −£8,500 |
| 2 years | 64% | £21,700 | −£12,300 |
| 3 years | 56% | £19,050 | −£14,950 |
| 4 years | 50% | £17,150 | −£16,850 |
| 5 years | 46% | £15,800 | −£18,200 |
| 6 years | 43% | £14,700 | −£19,300 |
| 7 years | 41% | £13,800 | −£20,200 |
| 8 years | 39% | £13,100 | −£20,900 |
| 9 years | 37% | £12,450 | −£21,550 |
| 10 years | 35% | £11,850 | −£22,150 |
There are currently 1,699 licensed and 5 SORN Dolphins in the UK (1,704 total). This makes it a rare vehicle on UK roads.
Euro NCAP awarded the Dolphin 5 out of 5 stars when tested in 2023. It scored 91% for adult occupant protection, 89% for child occupant protection, 73% for vulnerable road users, and 91% for safety assist features.
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Dolphin are estimated at around £1,823 per year (£152/month). This includes fuel, road tax, depreciation, and MOT fees — but excludes insurance, servicing, and repairs.
There are no known DVSA safety recalls currently listed for the Dolphin. However, recalls can be issued at any time — enter a specific registration to check.
A new Dolphin starts from around £34,000. After 5 years, a typical example retains about 46% of its original value.
Enter the registration to check its full MOT history, tax status, mileage, recalls and estimated value — all free.
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