I really can't see a huge problem with the whole fuel / injector thing to be honest ?.
Using the EV range on a PHEV as much as possible on short trips, is the only way that a PHEV becomes even close to being cost viable in my opinion.
They are not very economical for high milage users, dragging all of that extra weight of a depleted battery around.
Then when you are using the EV mode, you are dragging all that ICE equipment about !.
Servicing can get expensive as the car ages, because you as serving two masters.
The service needs of a EV and the needs of a ICE !.
It's two cars in one really.
I bet you thinking that I am one of them "Anti PHEV" members who bash PHEV's.
Well before you start hitting them keys, let me just flatten that idea now, because I owned a very quick & clever VW Golf GTE PHEV for over four years, before going full BEV with the MG ZS EV ( Gen 1) back in 2019.
I loved every single day of driving it, because it put a big smile on my face.
So why did I shift over to a full BEV then ?.
Well, that's an easy one to answer.
The PHEV was my first introduction into EV driving in 2015.
I was bitten really hard by the EV bug and knew after a few short months, that my next car would have to be ALL electric.
Pure EV's are NOT for everybody and I totally get that 100%.
PHEV's are what I term as a "Bridge Car" - A great bridge to anybody who wants to put his / her toe into the EV bath, then test if they like the water.
Not wanting to dive head first from a ICE to an EV - The PHEV bridges the nervous gap.
They tend to serve people best, when you have a particular usage case.
If you are conducting a lot more short trips than longer trips and the short range suits, then maybe a BEV would have been a better buy ?.
If on the other hand, you find yourself doing more longer trips than shorter trips, then a PHEV is not that economical, given the high cost of fuel and the extra weight the car is lugging around.
It's the middle section user, is where you hit that sweet spot.
Okay, as long as your usage pattern does not shift of course.
The MG PHEV is not as user friendly as the VW that's for sure.
On the VW you have complete control of how and when you use that valuable limited amount of EV range.
It defaults to pure EV mode on start up and will remain in that mode up to 82 Mph.
Regardless of the outside temp and what your require for heating in the cabin.
No intervention from the engine unless the driver demands it.
The EV power is delivered almost silent through a very slick and seamless DSG box.
the gear changes are very difficult to detect to be fair.
The main dealer service costs are reasonable when new, but get a bit spiteful as time moves on.
Even if 80% of your mileage covered is in EV mode and therefore very little ICE usage.
You will still seeing a service ( oil and filter change minimum ) every 10 months of 12,000 miles without exception.
Remember the ICE can sit idle for a GOOD while when using the EV mode, but when you demand full power to make an important over take for example, that cold engine will need to wake up smartly and give 100% of the power on demand.
This making oil changes very important for the longer term life of your ICE.
I am now on my second full BEV after moving from the PHEV, do I regret the move ?.
NO - A full EV ( If it suits your usage case ) is where it's at I think for me.
