Hi all — I’ve been a loyal Brompton rider for over a decade. Started with an M3L (2009) and later added a Brompton Electric M6L (2021). It was my go-to in colder months or when I needed to get to work sweat-free. All London road riding, regularly serviced, and carefully looked after.
💸 Bought new in 2021 from Condor Cycles for £3,200 (with extras).
✅ Enjoyed 2–3 years of trouble-free riding…
❌ Until one day in 2025 — the electric assist suddenly stopped working.
I checked the battery 🔋 (passed the test), followed all of Brompton’s online troubleshooting guides — but nothing worked. So I took it to Brilliant Bikes for a proper diagnostic.
🔧 Using the official Brompton diagnostic tool, they found both the controller and motor had failed (see pic). The shop was surprised — said this is very unusual.
They contacted Brompton. Brompton confirmed both components were faulty… but then came the bad news:
🛠️ Out of warranty (3 years on electronics)
💰 Replacement parts: £910
🔧 Labour: £80
Total: £990!
😡 I asked how and why both critical components could fail like this — especially given the light usage and normal city roads.
🧱 Brompton offered no explanation.
🤷♂️ No analysis.
💼 No goodwill.
Just a link to buy replacement parts with 20% off.
Honestly, I’m gutted. I expected better from Brompton — a brand I trusted and promoted to others. Not only was the response dismissive, but they didn’t even seem curious about what went wrong. Just keen to sell me new parts.
I’ve kept the faulty components and I’m sharing model numbers, photos, diagnostic readout, and emails below — so others can see for themselves.
⚠️ If you’re considering a Brompton Electric: they’re brilliant when they work. But support and warranty cover are limited — and repairs could leave you £1,000 out of pocket with little recourse.
All in, I’ve now spent over £4,000… and sadly, I wouldn’t recommend the electric model anymore. 😞
by heartofcare