Should I buy a used EV? Read these used EV buying tips

Used electric cars are a great option to consider when thinking about your next vehicle.

Not only have electric car prices come down to the point where they are just as affordable as a petrol equivalent, but there is a huge choice of different types of models and vehicles with over 200 miles of range. The used EV market is growing massively as many new EVs brought by companies are now entering into the used market. At the time of writing, there are nearly 2,000 used electric cars available on Auto Trader, the UK's biggest used car marketplace.

Whether you're looking for a second car for city driving and lower mileage, or your very first EV at a lower price point, used EVs are worth exploring. This guide will point out some key tips and areas to keep in mind when looking at the used EV market to help you on your way to making the switch to zero emissions.

Does an electric vehicle suit me?

Whether you're looking at a new or used EV, you have to ask yourself a few questions about your typical mileage and whether you have access to off-street parking.

Charging an EV solely on the public charging points is of course possible, but having a smart charger installed will make life with an EV much easier and even more affordable (we can help you choose an EV charger and get it installed too).

How much range do I need?

This is one of the most important questions to think about when buying a used EV. Where do you go shopping? Where’s the gym? Where is work? How far away are friends and family? What occasional trips are done and how many times a year?

Ten-year old EVs will have a range that is going to be more suited to shorter trips and city driving, while three to four year-old EVs that are now more widely available will still have ranges that will comfortably get you over 100 to 200 miles of range, depending on the model. If you know you only want an EV that needs to cover city driving to the shops or the school run, which is typically under 10 miles a day - a used EV with a shorter range will still work for you.

If you know you're doing a weekly trip that is over 100 miles there and back, that changes some of the parameters you need to think about.

There's also the option of a plug-in hybrid, which can drive in zero emissions mode for 20 or 30 miles of city driving, but can still switch over to a petrol engine for longer distances.

These used plug-in hybrids will still be able to be charged at home using a smart charger, so you can still get access to the convenience and lower running costs of being able to top-up at home.

Our top tip is to make sure you find a dealership that can offer your great used EV advice and guidance on the typical mileage you should be expecting.

If a used EV dealer is quoting WLTP figures for used EV range (the official figures for zero-emissions driving range quoted by the car manufacturer), this would be an immediate red flag.

Driving range is affected, even on new EVs, by a range of factors like driving style and weather conditions, so a good dealership should be able to give you a realistic indicator of what kind of range you should be expecting from your used EV.

Where you are going to charge your EV?

If you have a driveway at your property, home charging is by far the cheapest and easiest way to keep your electric car topped up. Electric vehicle specific home energy tariffs, like Intelligent Octopus Go, offer prices as low as 7.5p/kWh.

Use Smart Home Charge's cost to charge tool to get an estimate of the type of bill you can expect depending on which electric car model you choose and what tariff you have at home.

If you don't have your own driveway, consider where you're going to charge it.

Destination chargers are being installed by councils so it's worth looking at your street and what kind of set-up is in place there or close to where you live.

There are also cross pavement solutions available if you live in terraced housing, so that's also something to keep in mind.

Kerbo Charge, which runs a cable channel from your house and across the pavement, is now operating in Milton Keynes, Reading and Durham. It's working on expanding the service to work with more councils throughout the UK.

Rapid charger infrastructure is also growing in abundance and reliability in the UK, so it's also possible to factor this in, although this will of course increase your EV running costs, as it will be more expensive to charge on the move than at home.

Older EVs may also not have batteries that can use faster charging speeds, so that's also something to keep in mind if you're thinking about using public charging infrastructure as the main way to charge.

Older electric vehicles might also use a CHAdeMo connector to charge at a rapid charging point.

Currently, most rapid charge points will have a CHAdeMO cable however this might not be the case in the foreseeable future due to the increasing number of car makers opting to fit their vehicles with the more standard CCS connector.

What about fixing and servicing a used electric car?

There are fewer moving parts in an EV that should result in lower maintenance costs overall. There's no gearbox, no engine and no clutch to worry about. However, every EV will still have serviceable items like tyres, wipers, brakes, bulbs and electronics. The emphasis on EVs for servicing switches from being mechanical to more diagnostic in nature (plugging in a special computer to figure out what might be wrong).

All main dealers will have a servicing network in place that can fix and maintain your used EV. These main dealers are more likely to have technicians in place that will have the specialist tools and knowledge needed.

However, there's no reason why you can't go to an independent specialist to service your EV. There are some independent workshops that are well set-up to cater for your EV and fast-fit networks like Kwik-Fit and Halfords will also cater for EV servicing too.

The fleet industry (company car market) has bought the highest number of EVs in the UK so far and so it has the most experience with the savings that can be expected from EV servicing costs. Fleet Assist, a company that helps manage car maintenance for businesses running EVs, has said in its latest statistics that the average cost of EV service maintenance and repair (SMR) in 2022 was £171, 40% lower than all other vehicle types including ICE and hybrid (£243) compared with the previous year.

The biggest EV service items for Fleet Assist were pollen filters, bulbs, key fob batteries, wipers and brake fluid. Rivus, another fleet specialist for servicing, said it is seeing an approximate 20% saving on EV servicing costs in comparison to ICE.

Insurance

Most electric cars have higher insurance costs than regular cars, but limited-mileage policies can help keep the premiums down.

It's certainly worth researching the cost of insurance for your EV and comparing that cost against the equivalent petrol or diesel model.

Would the increased insurance costs be offset by lower servicing costs and running costs by charging from home? These are all factors worth considering, whether you're thinking about getting a new or used EV.

What should you check for when buying a used electric car?

As stated in the beginning of this article, buying an electric car from the used market is easier than buying a used petrol or diesel car due to there being fewer parts that can go wrong and, therefore, fewer parts that need checking.

This doesn't mean however that you can waltz in to a dealership or a private sale and hand over your money blindfolded. It pays to be diligent when buying a used electric car, so here are a list of things to check when buying a used EV.

Charging Compatibility

When choosing electric vehicles to add to your shortlist, it's important to consider how compatible they are with home, work and public destination charge points.

If you're opting for a vehicle with a Type 1 connection, and you want a home charge point, then you'll need to make sure it is compatible with your car. If you want a tethered charger, where the cable is always attached, make sure it has a Type 1 cable to plug into your Type 1 vehicle. 

Or, alternatively, go for an untethered home charge point - this is just a socket which is universal and works with both Type 1 and Type 2 electric vehicles. You just need the relevant Type 1 or Type 2 cable for your car. 

If you are looking to charge your electric car at home and the EV you are considering has a Type 1 connector, we recommend that you choose an untethered charge point such as the Ohme ePod or the Easee One because it means they will work with any future electric cars you might purchase, such as an EV with a Type 2 connection.

If you're purchasing an electric vehicle with a Type 2 connection anyway, then things are much simpler as most modern home charge points already cater for Type 2 vehicles as standard.

Does it have the right spec?

There was some consternation about secondhand electric cars having add-on software removed when the cars changed hands, in particular Teslas.

Make sure that if you're looking to buy a car with a specific software mode, or an added feature, it will still be there when ownership changes.

Used electric car battery health

As a battery is used and recharged, its "health" will begin to degrade gradually over time. This degradation is much slower than was anticipated 10 years ago when the EV industry started growing in popularity, but it is something to be mindful of, particularly as older electric cars use older battery technology.

How fast an EV's battery health degrades is dependent on how well previous owners looked after the vehicle too, so it is important to check the battery health of the EV before purchasing. A general rule is that a battery health over 80% is considered very good for vehicles around 10 years old. Of course, it's all relative to how old the vehicle actually is and how many miles it has covered, so use your judgement too in conjunction with the other checks in this list.

The battery health of the EV is typically found under a setting in the vehicle's infotainment display. If you're not sure how to find this information, however, ask the owner or salesperson to show you. If they cannot prove the battery health to you then this could be a red flag and it's best to walk away.

Another topic to discuss with the seller of an EV is battery leasing. As mentioned above, some manufacturers in the past leased the car's batteries separately to the vehicle itself acting as a form of extended warranty. There are pros and cons to this, so it's worth checking if a used electric vehicle has a battery lease on it or not. The Renault Zoe is perhaps the most common used EV to have included a battery lease, so keep an eye out if the Zoe is on your shortlist.

Checking an used EV's battery health

The battery health of the EV is typically found under a setting in the vehicle's infotainment display.

If you're not sure how to find this information, however, ask the owner or salesperson to show you.

If they cannot prove the battery health to you then this could be a red flag and it's best to walk away.

One way to prove battery capacity is to charge it fully, then take it for a test drive and compare the miles you get compared with the estimated range that is showing on the vehicle's info display.

The range you get when you test drive the EV should be similar to the estimated range.

Remember, an older EV is going to have some battery degradation compared with one that is brand new, so this has to be factored in as part of your expectations.

If the range is much lower than it should be for an EV of that specific age, or you're seeing wild inconsistency between charges, contact the dealer you bought the used EV from within 30 days of buying the vehicle, as this could be an indication that the battery is not in a condition that is fit for purpose.

What about the battery warranty?

Many EVs have a separate warranty for the battery. This warranty usually lasts around eight years, though older cars might only have a five-year warranty.

Some manufacturers say the acceptable battery health after eight years is 70% of the battery's full capacity when the vehicle was new, and will refurbish it if it drops below this level.

Nevertheless, a decline of 30% in battery health is hardly unnoticeable and we advise that you take time to understand the terms of the warranty clearly.

Finance

Make sure that there's no outstanding finance on any car you buy; that applies to any car, not just an EV. 

Most dealerships should already be able to guarantee there's no outstanding finance on a used EV, but there are also used car provenance services you can use like HPI or RAC where you can check the history of a car if you want to have 100% peace-of-mind.

Is the battery leased?

Older EVs like the ZOE or Leaf, the battery may incur a separate battery leasing fee per month. This was originally done to help lower the monthly cost of the vehicle, but also because early adopters were concerned about battery health and how long it would last.

The upside was the separate battery lease meant it was always under warranty and, should anything go wrong, the manufacturer would deal with it. The downside of course was the owner was incurring an ongoing monthly cost for the battery even when the payments for the vehicle itself were up and it had been fully paid for.

Battery leases are not offered anymore because battery technology in EVs has proved itself more than reliable and concerns that they would die after a few years or just not last that long have turned out to be unfounded. 

When purchasing an older used electric car, though, you may still find these earlier vehicles which still require a lease payment for the battery.

What’s the history?

While checking the service history applies to any car irrespective of what's powering it, the widely held belief that EVs are maintenance-free isn't quite true.

Brakes are particularly important to check when looking at the maintenance history of a used electric car. Most EVs use regenerative braking which spins the electric motor backwards to reclaim the kinetic energy as the vehicle comes to a stop.

While regenerative braking is great for improving range, the downside is that electric cars tend to use their traditional brakes less than an ICE vehicle causing them to potentially erode due to lack of use.

Tyres are another important aspect to check when looking at the maintenance history of second-hand electric cars.

EVs are heavier than ICE vehicles and because of this extra weight, components such as tyres are under heavier strain than usual and will need to be checked more regularly than they would if the car was an ICE vehicle.

Check the suspension

Electric cars are heavy cars and with the UK's roads becoming ever more craterous, the toll taken on suspension components can be severe.

Listen out for knocks, rattles, clonks, and check for odd play in the steering.

It's also worth taking a close eye at any wind-cleaving wheels as the results of too many solid liaisons with kerbs will affect range, as well as impact the handling.

Accident damage

Check for overspray, poorly fitting panels, odd bumps and more for signs of poor accident repairs.

Does it still have a cable?

Depending on whether you're buying privately or from a dealer, the charging cable may or may not be included. Don't assume it is.

If buying privately, the original owner might want to keep hold of the charging cable for their next EV. 

Learn more about this in our article "Do EVs Come With a Charging Cable?".

If the used EV you're looking at doesn't come with a cable, we have a range of charging cables to suit most people's charging needs and budgets. Browse our range and find the right cable for you.

What are my consumer rights when buying a used EV from a dealership?

The Consumer Rights Act (2015) will protect you if the car you have been sold isn't of sufficient quality for its age.

The Act state that the vehicle must:

• Be of satisfactory quality: It should be in a condition that is expected of its age, roadworthy and without any obvious defects

• Be fit for its particular purpose: It needs to be able to carry out the tasks expected of a vehicle of its type: towing, off-roading etc.

• Be as described: It needs to fit the description promised by the dealer, whether that be its condition, or specification level.

If you have any issues with your car make sure you test and address them within 30 days, as you should be entitled to get a full refund.

Best used electric cars

Have a look on used car classified websites like Auto Trader, Motors and Cargurus to see what deals are available.

The examples below are from April 2024.

Nissan Leaf Mk1 and Mk2

The Nissan Leaf is somewhat of an icon when it comes to electric cars, not only was (and still is) one of the best selling electric cars on the market but it was also one of the first modern electric cars that you could buy, coming out way back in 2010 when mass-produced zero-emissions vehicles were considered just a pipe dream.

Because of their popularity, Nissan Leafs can be commonly found on the used market at great asking prices too.

There are good examples of Mk 1 Leafs priced at around £5,000, while even Mk2 models are available for between £8,000 and £10,000.

Renault Zoe

Introduced to the masses all the way back in 2013, the Renault Zoe is one of the most popular electric cars on the market due to its unique styling and being one of the most affordable zero emission vehicles you can buy.

A quick look on Auto Trader brings up examples from 2013 that are under £5,000, with newer models from 2021 at around the £12,000 price point.

BMW i3

Love it or hate it, the BMW i3 series is probably the most uniquely designed electric car on the market.

Also, if you want a car that takes the environmentally friendly message even further, the materials used to make the i3 are either made from recycled materials or can be recycled.

At the time of writing, a 2013 i3 is priced at around £8,000.

Tesla Model 3

Tesla cut its prices for its new vehicles last year and this had a knock-on effect in the used market too, bringing down prices to make the popular Model 3 a more affordable option for used car customers.

There are 2019 versions of the Model 3 available at around £22,000 compared with £39,990 for a brand new 2024 model.

Kia e-Niro

The Kia e-Niro is one of the most capable cars on the market, let alone being one of the best electric ones. There's lots of room in the back and instant response from the electric motor means you can have plenty of fun too.

Kia started electrifying the Niro back in 2019, meaning that older versions are hitting the used car market at very reasonable prices of around £15,000-£16,000.

Hyundai Kona

Likewise, Kia's parent company Hyundai has also been making its all-electric Kona since 2019.

It's another competent and fully featured EV loaded with equipment, with examples going for around £13,000.