A Guide to Buying a Second-Hand Electric Car

Some electric enthusiasts might like to disagree, but the infrastructure needed for a simple, EV-only world isn’t quite there – yet. So it’s good to consider whether the trade-off between cost and convenience is worth it for you.

Your enthusiasm is likely to deflate quickly if you don’t have access to charging points. We reckon there’s really no point thinking about going electric if you can’t install a home EV charger. For this, access to a garage or driveway is a must. If you have that covered, it’s still important to check whether it’s easy to install a wallbox before jumping the gun – it’s not always possible with shared access driveways or blocks of garages. Trying to charge an electric car without a dedicated wallbox or charging station isn’t the way to go; it’s far too slow to be practical.

The second best option to a home charger is to use a charging station at your work. But, of course, this doesn’t suit a lot of our work situations, and how reliable an option is it really when work-from-home is likely to become the new (well, somewhat new) normal for many? Plus, if one doesn’t exist already, you’d need to get a charging station installed at your place of work. There’s sometimes funding available for this, but you’d still have to put in the time and effort to make it happen. Then when it is installed, it’s not just yours – your colleagues will be using it too.

A final option is to rely on the UK’s charging network. The number of stations is growing rapidly, but they tend to be concentrated around urban areas. If you choose to go with this option, you’ll need to be sure that the ones on your route are in working condition. Relying on charging stations comes with its own set of issues. For example, you may find yourself in a fix if another car is occupying the charging point you planned on using. This is bound to happen at supermarkets and other busy locations.

If you’ve got charging sorted, you’ll want to consider your driving habits. The range of electric vehicles is increasing all the time, but they still have their limits. If you’re often taking long trips for business or pleasure, a hybrid might be a better option. But if your driving is focused closer to home and work, with shorter trips being the norm, an all-electric might be right for you.

If you’re still unsure, take a look at our guide on choosing the right fuel type for you.

Currently, there are three types of EVs available on the market, each with their own pros and cons:

Think of these as smartphones on wheels. You plug them in while you’re asleep and their batteries will get you through the day when you wake up (maybe two days, depending on how far your drive). We’ll mainly focus on this type of EV in this article.

Bear in mind that new and improved models get released each year, so models can become obsolete. Aside from that, remember that their range is still limited – if you’re going out of town for a bit, make sure there’s somewhere to charge up.

Some might argue that hybrids are an inefficient compromise between the old and new. In part, that’s because they’re a lot bulkier than their fossil-fuel or all-electric counterparts. But they do have their place in the market. Unlike the fully-electric BEV, you don’t have to worry about your car running out of charge with a PHEV.

Hybrids are a good purchase if you plan to do a lot of long-distance driving. If you’re interested in finding out more about the best hybrids, this article is a great place to start.

These cars run on electricity. But they also have a traditionally powered fuel engine that’s used as another generator, helping to charge the battery and keep the car running until you’re able to plug in again. Essentially, a range extender can be a good option if the idea of running out of charge a long way from home makes you anxious.

There’s no doubt that used EVs are more affordable compared to showroom purchases. However, because EVs are still relatively new, there aren’t very many on the used market compared to petrol and diesel models. This means choice can be limited, and it might be hard to find exactly what you want.

So why is it worth buying an electric car on the used market? For one thing, BEVs have fewer moving parts than traditional cars, which means BEVs can be more reliable over time. That’s a big plus for a used car purchase. However, keep in mind that if your second-hand EV does have an issue, you’ll need to locate a qualified specialist for repairs. With Renault or Nissan, you won’t have much trouble, but it’s not always so simple with a Tesla.

Another drawback of EVs to keep in mind is that battery capacity depletes over time, although not by too much. You shouldn’t expect to get the full, listed range of an electric car if it’s several years old – about three quarters of the when-new number would be normal. We recommend joining online communities and forums to check out the experiences of other drivers. If you really want peace of mind, you can get the battery tested by a specialist or service centre.

Lastly, as with any used purchase, some second-hand EVs may suffer from model-specific issues. But hey, electric cars are cars too! These issues could be as menial as a glitchy glove compartment light or something more serious that resulted in recalls. Again, online communities and trusted car sites are your best resources when researching a model.

Most electric cars come with two warranties: the vehicle warranty and the battery warranty. The vehicle warranty works the same as traditional cars, typically with three to five years of coverage. Battery warranties vary by model and charging capacity. The battery warranty typically lasts longer (or for more miles) than the vehicle warranty. Some manufacturers also cover battery capacity depletion (typically below 70%) after the warranty period expires.

In the rare chance that you do need to replace the battery out of pocket, you’ll be looking at figures that run into thousands of pounds. Opting for a refurbishment pack can help you save a few quid.

Top tip: To avoid the battery-replacement situation altogether, first-gen electric car owners would choose to lease their batteries from the manufacturers. This could shatter your dreams of not having to pay running costs if you buy one of these cars second hand, as you’ll have to shell out a monthly rental fee to renew the battery lease agreement. So we don’t recommend shaking hands with the owner before asking whether they own the batteries or if it’s a lease.

Test driving a second-hand EV is much the same as test driving any car. To get the most out of putting an EV through its paces, we recommend ticking these boxes off your checklist:

✅ Listen for knocks and rattles
EVs are quiet beasts. So if there are any strange noises, they should stand out as something that needs your attention.

✅ Check up on the leads
Charging cables and other related paraphernalia are expensive to replace. We recommend checking up on all the electricals to make sure everything’s in good condition and included with the car.

✅ Take a peek at the app
Some manufacturers have an app that shows the car’s charging status. Given that battery replacements are the biggest concern, it’s a good idea to check for yourself that the car charges without any issues. You’ll have to ask the current owner for a demonstration, but it’s worth it for the peace of mind.

✅ Check the service history and the essentials
As with any other car, taking a thorough look at the service history can show how well the car has been maintained. Plus, you’ll also be able to spot red flags like recalls. Since electric cars are heavier than traditional models, the suspension system can be a weakness, so look out for issues here. It’s a good idea to check the tyres and brake pads for wear, and it’s important to see if the car brakes in a straight line.

✅ Make sure everything works
EVs usually come with well-equipped interiors. If all the bits and bobs are functioning as expected, it’s quite likely that the car has been maintained well.

It’s important to keep range in mind when buying a used electric car. EV technology has progressed dramatically in the last decade. Early electric vehicles were lucky to go 100 miles on a full charge, but today’s Tesla Model S can go over 400 miles, with offerings from BMW, Ford and Polestar not far behind. With electric cars predicted to outnumber traditional fuel-powered vehicles in the years to come, and the technology always improving, you can expect these ranges to keep getting larger.

It’s a good idea to work out how much range you’ll need when buying electric. While 400 miles may seem reasonable, electric vehicles with this range come at a premium price. Let’s say you want to use your electric car to commute; a vehicle with a range under 100 miles could work well for you.

In general, an EV battery is expected to last 10-20 years before needing to be replaced. In addition, unlike internal combustion engines, mileage is seldom a problem in batteries. Heat, age, condition, and charging habits might all have a greater impact. You’ll need to get an idea of the battery’s condition before buying a second-hand electric car, as the range can deplete over time. Don’t expect a second-hand EV to give the full, listed range of the car when new – but if the car is in good condition, it should still get you pretty close, even when a few years old.

Currently, the cheapest all-electric car in the UK is the Skoda Citigo. In the second-hand market, you can get your hands on a Renault Zoe for as little as £5,000, while a well-maintained, top-of-the-line Tesla will set you back about £100,000. Check out our list of the cheapest electric cars to get more of a grasp on EV pricing.

Apart from the cost of the car itself, you’ll also want to factor in the price for setting up a wallbox. You could plug your car into a standard 3-pin socket, but that’s if you plan to only take your car out every three days. If you suddenly need to run some errands, you’ll be in a bit of a fix without a trusty wallbox.

Running costs are low with EVs, since the electricity needed to charge costs much less than filling up on petrol or diesel. Even using a rapid charge point, it won’t cost you more than a pint of beer for a 45-minute top-up. Add to this the fact that all-electric vehicles are exempt from road tax and your costs should come down nicely. Just note that insurance costs can be on the higher side for electric cars.

If you’re keen on saving every penny, there are some worthwhile government grants available to second-hand electric car owners:

The sustainable lifestyle is here, and it’s here to stay. Whether you’re interested in saving the planet or a few pounds, it’s a great time to think about buying a second-hand electric car. Want to know more about how you can make eco-friendly car choices? Our advice hub has all the answers. If you’re ready to take the plunge, check out our listing page to find the right EV for you.