New car sales and marketing are tilting, inexorably, towards electric cars ahead of the proposed 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel models. Eventually, it seems, our habits and public spaces will have to adapt to suit – but for many drivers a used electric car makes a great deal of sense right now.
It’s more than a decade since the first genuinely useful EVs joined the UK market and in 2022, more than 100,000 new electric cars joined Britain’s roads in the first five month; there’s plenty of used stock to go round and used sales are booming. Over 70,000 second hand EVs changed owner in the UK in 2022 – an increase of 35% on the previous year.
Why buy a used electric car?
Like most pre-owned purchases, the primary reason to buy a used EV is affordability. That doesn’t mean you can’t afford a new car, but why would you want to tie up all that money in one thing, when modern life has so many demands. It could be an experiment to see if an EV works for you, or you might be motivated by the fact that an existing car, maintained well, is a better environmental choice than making a new one.
For drivers changing to electric it could offer the opportunity to keep some cash in reserve for hiring, or buying, a complementary petrol or diesel car rather than putting all your eggs in one basket. It’s a great moment to consider buying a modern classic – particularly if you enjoy cars – so if you do need a backup plan for long drives it’s something that will appreciate in value.
For company car drivers and the self-employed there are other benefits to using an electric car, though current energy prices mean outright economy is not one of them. But in cities there may be extra incentives. Plus, there’s no denying the social credibility of driving an EV in some parts of the UK.
The strongest argument for buying a used electric car is much simpler, though. They’re proving to be remarkably reliable and easy to maintain. Who could have predicted that getting rid of burning oil and large amounts of fast-moving, wearing metal would make cars last longer…
How to buy a used electric car
- Standard used car checks still apply for finance and history
- You’re spending more, so make sure it’s the right car for you
- Don’t rush your purchase; look for extended test drives
Mainstream electric cars have been on sale in the UK since 2010. The motoring landscape then was new Ford Focus Mk2s, Mercedes A-Classes that still looked like vans, and the memory of the last MGs struggling out of showrooms was still fresh. It’s not until 2013 that a choice of genuinely useful electric cars was on offer however, and the early Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i-MiEV/Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero triplets are best treated as hobby/short trip options for enthusiasts.
When those early models are cheap, we have no hesitation recommending them as around-town runabouts. But those tinny, small and rust-prone small Mitsubishis are not worth paying a premium for when EV demand pushes prices up. Before buying a used electric car, take into account your charging costs, space for parking, and any road charging or congestion schemes – will you get a better value, well-maintained petrol car for the same price that fits your needs?
If electric is definitely the right choice, then apply the usual car-buying tips first – check the MOT history online whether it’s a private or trade sale (many EVs, due to their low maintenance demands, end up with neglected tyres, lights and wipers, which could indicate a lack of care generally, scratched windscreens, and damaged suspension). If buying an early Renault or Nissan EV, double check it’s not on a battery lease as there may be some stragglers left (most have ended or been bought out).
Get a reputable car history check to ensure there’s no outstanding finance or recorded accident damage, and do some research outside of your local area to make sure you’re getting the best value. A lot of online car supermarkets will deliver your purchase, and if you can get a car that’s avoided coastal or northern areas you may find fewer issues with rust on older examples.
Service history and warranties on electric cars
You’re probably used to looking for oil and filter changes; electric cars do require maintenance but there’s no timing belt or chain, no spark plugs or coils, and no exhaust system to worry about. Mostly, you want to see the record of maintenance for warranty coverage of the battery on vehicles up to eight years old, as the majority of EVs have eight year, 100,000 mile guarantees of 70-80% effective capacity. The truth is much more optimistic; Nissan’s own data shows the Leaf battery should last 22 years and in 2015 Warranty Direct reported that the Leaf has a failure rate of 0.01% compared with 0.25% for combustion-engine cars.
What you want to see on an older car is maintenance of the brake calipers and brake fluid changes, coolant replacement, and gearbox oil replacement in line with the most recent manufacturer guidelines (as with some automatic gearboxes, components that are described as sealed for life often get revised service guidance when that turns out to be rather shorter than anticipated).
At the dealer: check condition and equipment
Before the test drive, check in the boot (at both ends where applicable) to make sure all the charging cables are present, most EVs will have at least one Type 2 or equivalent for connection to a wallbox, and a 13A brick for domestic charging. You’ll want the public charging cable with you, if the dealer says they have taken the cables out for safe keeping.
Ask for some time to get comfortable with the car in peace. Switch the power on, and check all the warning lights against an online manual or the car’s handbook to make sure they come on, and extinguish, as designed – it’s not unknown for sellers to hide ABS or airbag faults by covering or removing bulbs, so telltale lights on EVs are just as likely to be masked by unscrupulous dealers.
Have a look at the infotainment system. Most electric cars have a higher-end setup to provide data displays, which can include charging history and average energy consumption. It may also contain sat nav history, which should be deleted by the previous owner or the dealer but if it’s present, will give you an idea of where the car has been driven most.
If you wish this is also a good time to check the sat nav info to see how old the maps are, a good bargaining point if they haven’t been updated as available charging point data won’t be current.
It may be difficult to check the car’s connected services (where present) are working, but research your potential purchase to see if it needs a paid subscription, or a SIM card, to allow remote control and preconditioning services to work.
If the car is in a showroom, take advantage of the shelter and take plenty of time looking at the bodywork, door shuts and glass for damage and wear. Many EVs spend a lot of time sitting unused so UV damage to rubber seals is quite likely; you can take for granted that older plastic headlights will be cloudy but they can usually be restored if not chipped, cracked or deeply scratched. Pay particular attention to the bodywork if looking at a BMW i3 or i8, as their advanced construction is very difficult (and expensive) to repair.
Test driving a used electric car
With higher miles, you will want to bring in your previous car buying experience. Electric cars still have driveshafts, suspension bushes and steering components that can wear out or get damaged. Listen for rattles and clonks over bumps and rough roads, feel for wandering or play (if the car pulls in either direction, check the tyres for uneven wear), and make sure to drive slowly with the windows down past a wall or building, which will reflect small squeaks and creaks back. That’s also a good time to test the CV joints – as your driving instructor once said ‘turn in the road using forward and reverse gears’; apply full lock and listen for rhythmic clicking or rattling.
Switch on the energy consumption and make sure you get to drive at 60mph, watch how much the range drops, and also listen for the humming/grinding noises of failing wheelbearings, feel for any wandering or pull when braking. Check the regen or one-pedal driving and again, listen for unusual noises. Finally, find a charging point and test the charging cable – this will cost you money, but it’s no worse than topping up fuel on an extended test drive.
Once back at the dealer, check the radiator and cooling system for leaks (smell for antifreeze-sweet air, or bring a UV torch – which will also highlight leaks in the air con system if it’s been regassed), ask if you can see all the keys with the vehicle and test the remote features work/look for broken blades or fobs, and make sure the tyre emergency kit and other accessories are intact. Ask to see the accessory battery, too – if it’s older it may need replacing, it’s just a standard car battery but can stop the rest of the car from working.
Which used EVs are worth seeking out?
It’s time to go back to the future… of driving, 2013-style. London was cleaning up after hosting the Olympics, we were celebrating the NHS, and diesel ruled the roost – for now. In each far corner of the motoring world, four electric chariots approached, harbingers of a cleaner, cheaper, quieter way of life.
Editor’s choice: BMW i3: 2013-2022
- The Goldilocks zone: right size, right range, right space
- Innovative engineering saves weight, looks great
- Popular, readily available, but prices have gone up
Japan gave us affordable efficiency, France gave us family-friendly charm, America gave us glamour and excess ability. Germany gave us clean-sheet, clever engineering, and we loved it. The BMW i3 looks nothing like a normal BMW (and it’s unlike any other BMW to drive, but still fun). Crucially, it’s made unlike any other car in this class or budget.
Where everyone else, even Tesla, adapted the typical stamped metal and heavy body, BMW used carbon fibre and minimised interior trim to make a lightweight but safe small car. Similar to the thinking behind a Smart, but… smarter. It’s a four seat supermini with pillarless rear doors, aiding practicality, it’s short enough for city spaces, tall enough to look SUV drivers in the eye, and stylish enough not to feel self-conscious. You’ll see it in the background of sci-fi shows barely modified – it’s that different to mainstream designs – yet it feels utterly sensible to own.
A small battery isn’t the problem you would expect due to the weight saving, but the on-board generator of the Rex can keep you going on petrol if needed; later models get bigger packs (upgrades are possible but expensive). Before lockdown used i3s were a bargain – demand has surged just as new models go off sale, but in our view prices have merely risen to a level that reflects the remaining useful life and innovation of a second hand BMW i3.
Read the full used BMW i3 review
Nissan Leaf Mk1: 2010-2018
- Sensible family hatchback ‘normalises’ electric power
- Early models have low range, but enough for most commutes
- Proven track record and very successful
From Japan (via Sunderland) we got the Nissan Leaf. This ground-breaking family hatchback was one of the first electric cars to sell in serious numbers, and it remains an effective zero emission second hand car. Launched in 2010 with a 24kWh battery and 120-mile range, the Nissan Leaf represents a real success story for Nissan’s Sunderland factory.
In 2020, the milestone of 250,000 Leafs made here (mostly exported) was reached. By 2015 it had gained a larger battery pack and more sophisticated features, but retained the quirky, curvy design until 2018’s Leaf 2.0.
Nissan Leafs have a reputation for reliability, long-lived consumables such as brakes and tyres, and are supported by a thriving aftermarket community developing upgrades and solutions so you don’t need to rely on main dealers.
Read the full used Nissan Leaf Mk1 review
Renault Zoe: 2013 and still on sale new
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- French supermini has charming character
- Quick in town, capable on motorways in ZE50 form
- Confusing battery lease is a thing of the past
Although Nissan and Renault are intertwined, the two firms developed electric cars independently. The Zoe is a tall, small hatchback rather like an upright Clio, and it has a more European flavour generally. Minimalist, simple and practical, space for people and a gentle ride quality around town set it apart.
It’s been around a long time, and early models had a battery lease programme which made them cheap to buy, but confusing on the second hand market. These days the Zoe is very straightforward, a common-sense purchase that sings about your electric lifestyle, rather than shouting about it.
Like the Leaf, it’s proven far more reliable than contemporary petrol and diesel equivalents, and like the Leaf, the newer the model you get, the better it will be. The best Zoes can genuinely cover over 200 miles of urban driving, and comfortably handle 140-mile trips at motorway speeds.
Read the full Renault Zoe review
Tesla Model S: 2013 and still on sale new
- American luxury car with Jaguar-esque style
- Impressive capability from launch
- Constantly improved, and can be upgraded
America’s relationship with electric cars has always been fraught; Vauxhall’s parent firm, GM, got a long way down the path in the 1990s only to famously scrap the prescient EV-1. Fortunately, there’s one thing America loves more than cars – disruptive, high-tech success myths. Musk may be the showman, but behind Tesla are some serious engineers and software developers, and in an economy desperate to back ‘the next iPhone’ the Model S looked like the winner.
Which, of course, means it is – investment money poured in, and investment money was spent making it the fastest, most sophisticated, and best-equipped electric car anyone could buy. Like the iPhone it’s stayed true to form since launch, so subtle styling differences aside a 2013 Model S looks much like a 2023 model at a glance.
Because hackers and computer engineers designed it, it’s also remarkably upgradeable – you can add the abilities of newer models to early examples. All of this comes at a price, and Tesla quality is not up to the level you would expect from a car that used, costs as much as a Bentley Continental, but it’s still the easiest EV to live with if you’re used to long range and high performance.
Read the full Tesla Model S review
Vauxhall Corsa-e/Corsa Electric
- Lots available from a trusted mainstream brand
- Quick and responsive to drive
- All models are well equipped for the money
The Vauxhall Corsa-e and Corsa Electric are basically the same car. The 2022 re-naming exercise is a by-product of its maker’s constant tinkering of models and trims in order to appeal to as many people as possible. It worked too, as the little Corsa has been very successful during its short life, and as such that means that a plentiful supply of used examples are starting to escape into the wild.
The good news is that it’s proving reliable in service, with the widely-used 136hp motor/50kWh battery pack combo throwing up now real issues. So when buying one, you can spend more time concentrating on the cosmetics, such as poorly touched in bumpers or kerbed alloy wheels. Running costs are low, with servicing especially competitive.
Any example you buy will be covered by the eight years/100,000-mile warranty for the battery, so there’s some peace of mind there. Most interestingly, market forces are playing into the hands of used buyers as depreciation is higher than average, with electric Corsas now very competitively priced compared with their petrol counterparts.
Read the full Vauxhall Corsa Electric review
Conclusion: Should I buy a used electric car?
Right now, used car prices are higher than they have been for a long time. The first models to show the increase were electric, as 2020’s pandemic caused supply issues that continued to affect new cars into 2023. At the time of writing there’s a sign those prices are beginning to fall as a knock-on effect of Tesla cutting prices significantly.
Residual values on an electric car are still a bit uncertain, as what people paid new may or may not have had a subsidy – but by late-2023 it was the case that some 12-month old models like the Tesla Model 3 and Kia EV6 were selling for as much as their new equivalents (which often had six to 12 month waiting times), while others, such as the Vauxhall Corsa and Mokka Electric had fallen to the point, they were on price parity with their petrol equivalents.
High domestic energy prices mean the appeal of an EV on running costs alone is somewhat reduced. And a typical electric car is now comparable to a 30-40mpg petrol car when charged at a public rapid charger. Therefore, your first question should be ‘why am I buying an electric car now’ – if you don’t have easy home or work charging, and are not funding it through a company car scheme or self-employed business, it may be a costly option worth delaying until costs are lower, or infrastructure improves.
RT ‘Bear’ Kilpatrick is Bauer’s Used Cars Editor, writing primarily for Parkers and CAR. They’ve been obsessed with cars since childhood. Car ownership has a significant influence on mental health and wellbeing, so they focus on finding the most rewarding cars for the lowest cost and stress.
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