BYD Seal 6 DM-i 1.5 DM-i 120km Mk1

BYD operates parts warehouses in the Netherlands, Sweden, and the UK, but owners across Europe have reported waiting weeks or even months for specific components such as body panels, lighting modules, and electronic control units. In some cases, dealership staff have needed direct guidance from BYD headquarters in China to complete repairs. Insurance companies have flagged parts availability as a concern for Chinese EVs/PHEVs generally. The cost listed reflects potential rental car expenses or inconvenience during extended waits, not the parts themselves (which are covered under warranty for most issues on a new car). This situation is actively improving as BYD scales its European operations.

BYD DM-i owners have reported intermittent infotainment freezes, Bluetooth connectivity drops, and Apple CarPlay instability. One notable bug in a V2.1.0 OTA update limited charging to 45% on some Seal U DM-i models. BYD typically resolves these through OTA software updates, though some owners have experienced updates that fail to install correctly and require a dealer visit. The 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen controls most vehicle functions, so software issues can affect climate, navigation, and vehicle settings. These are nuisance issues rather than safety concerns, and BYD's OTA capability means fixes usually arrive within weeks.

Multiple BYD owners have reported 12V battery failures, often triggering 'LV Protection System Fail' warnings. The onboard systems (telematics, BMS monitoring, security) draw power continuously even when parked. If the DC-DC converter (which charges the 12V battery from the main pack) is not functioning correctly, the 12V battery depletes. This was especially common on early delivery vehicles where batteries discharged during shipping. A replacement 12V battery costs around €150-250, but if the DC-DC converter itself needs replacement, the cost rises to €400-600. Keeping the vehicle plugged in when parked for extended periods helps prevent this.

Several BYD Seal U DM-i owners (which shares significant platform architecture with the Seal 6) have reported a persistent knocking sound from the front suspension when driving over uneven surfaces. In some cases, shock absorber replacement was attempted but did not fully resolve the noise. Some owners have gone through multiple service visits over six months without a definitive fix while the issue was evaluated by BYD's head office. The root cause appears to vary, with suspects including shock absorber bushings, stabilizer links, or subframe mounts. On vehicles still under warranty, repairs are covered, but the inconvenience and repeated dealer visits are the main concern.

Multiple reviews and owners have reported that the BYD Seal 6's ADAS suite can be overly sensitive. The lane keeping assist reacts strongly to minor lane position changes, the traffic sign recognition frequently misreads speed limits, and the driver monitoring camera has been noted to misinterpret reflected sunlight on glasses, mirror checks, or glancing at the navigation screen as driver inattention. While these systems can be adjusted or partially disabled, the default calibration is aggressive. This is a software/calibration issue that BYD can potentially improve through OTA updates.

A small number of BYD owners across various models have reported complete powertrain shutdowns while driving, leaving the vehicle stranded. In one documented Seal U DM-i case, the vehicle stopped on a highway at 25% battery charge without switching to petrol mode. Root causes have varied: a faulty door sensor, a powertrain domain controller failure, or a 12V system collapse. These incidents are rare but serious, and replacement parts (particularly the powertrain controller) have taken over a month to source in some cases. BYD's 6-year warranty covers these repairs, but the experience itself is concerning. This risk is low in probability but high in impact.