Avoid InstaVolt charging stations

[spm]

I’ve wasted 4 hours in 2 occasions this month trying to use InstaVolt charging stations. There’s a compatibility issue with MG ZS. It just cuts out. I tried several different cards and had long conversations with them. Use at your peril.

 

[rpannell]

Avoid perhaps because of the high price. But over the past 5 years, I have never had any charging problems with Instavolt chargers - they always work.

 

[spm]

I agree. It’s pricey. Mine’s a 70 plate. Apparently it’s an issue with certain models.

 

[LouthMGZSEV]

Four years of charging with Instavolt no problems. Pricey yes, problems no.

 

[Jomarkh]

Yeah pricey but always work on my MG5 SR EXCITE

 

[Montego]

I've had a problem when trying to charge at Instavolt and using a Visa Credit card. Another driver told me you have to insert the card into the reader rather than go contactless or swipe. I have had to try moving to another vacant charger or changing to a Mastercard debit card. Instavolt say they don't have a problem, but I need to be convinced. Would try again though as they are fast once they work.

 

[Gadget Geek]

Instavolt are one of my "go to" chargers. They are expensive, but the old adage "you get what you pay for" is true as they are reliable and fast. The one occasion where one didn't work, I phoned the help line and got a free charge.

 

[chromeskull]

Same here, Instavolt expensive yet the most reliable i've used.
I have them as my preference just because others let me down.
This was with my 2020 Mk1 ZS, and i have not had an issue yet with the MG4.
(saved my arse when i got it down to 3miles range left on way home lol).

 

[orudge]

I stopped off at Instavolt at Glenrothes McDonalds at the weekend (I have an Mk1 ZS EV), activated it with Electroverse, started charging and went down to Asda for some shopping. 5 minutes later got a notification from the Electroverse app that my session had ended. Finished my shopping and went back, and sure enough it had stopped. Plugged in again, and this time it charged for 10 minutes before stopping again. At this point I just decided I’d leave and charge at my next stop. It was a pain though!

I visited ChargePlace Scotland, Lidl and Allego chargers on the same trip and had no such problem.

 

[peterseddon]

Not had any problems with Instavolt using the Electroverse card, at Booth's in Keswick. I try to avoid them though because of the cost to charge.

 

[GoodKingW]

There are definitely issues on the 70 plate. It continually cut out after a minute or so at all Instavolt chargers. This happened multiple times in different locations - I raised with Instavolt but they struggled to investigate without looking at all the different charging sessions in detail.
I have had a 74 plate for a few months and that has worked fine.
I should add that in the first few years of having the 70 plate it was absolutely fine so something changed.

 

[Tread Softly Terran]

Perhaps a software update is needed? Just a thought.

 

[Richard 77]

There are definitely issues on the 70 plate. It continually cut out after a minute or so at all Instavolt chargers. This happened multiple times in different locations - I raised with Instavolt but they struggled to investigate without looking at all the different charging sessions in detail.
I have had a 74 plate for a few months and that has worked fine.
I should add that in the first few years of having the 70 plate it was absolutely fine so something changed.

Unfortunately for me, it has not just been the Instavolt chargers where I have encountered this issue. I have tried charging at; FastNed, MER, Osprey and Shell Recharge and all have cut out from anywhere between 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Over Christmas I could not get a single charge from the DC network. AC is generally okay and granny charge works with no issue. My car has been to the dealer twice within 6 months of owing the car and is going back again in next week. Very frustrating and also upsetting as I really wanted this car, but it has not turned out the way I expected. Will see if MG they fix this time.

 

[GoodKingW]

Unfortunately for me, it has not just been the Instavolt chargers where I have encountered this issue. I have tried charging at; FastNed, MER, Osprey and Shell Recharge and all have cut out from anywhere between 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Over Christmas I could not get a single charge from the DC network. AC is generally okay and granny charge works with no issue. My car has been to the dealer twice within 6 months of owing the car and is going back again in next week. Very frustrating and also upsetting as I really wanted this car, but it has not turned out the way I expected. Will see if MG they fix this time.

My experience was broadly the same - it would start OK (and then cut-out) - first few times you only realised when you are back from lunch etc It DID work on SOME fast chargers though I think Osprey was OK for me I don't really use the others you mention. But in general I just avoided Instavolt and it was OK, and I do a decent amount of long distance. Not sure this info will help you but good luck.