Used Electric Cars: Should You Buy One?

You can pick up a used electric vehicle for decent money now, but are you getting a reliable enough car for anything more than a second car or local runaround?
Demand for second-hand electric cars is growing, and three- to five-year old used electric vehicles were the fastest selling segment in 2024. But is a used electric car right for you? Let’s take a look.

If it’s your first electric car, you’ll have to do some homework. Work out how you’ll charge it, whether the range is enough to get you from A to B, and which electric car feels right for you.
You’ll have a few more questions for a second-hand electric car: will the battery need replacing? Does the charging cable work? How do I test drive it? Consider how many miles you drive. The average UK car journey is about eight and a half miles, which most electric cars can handle. If you often take longer trips, choose a car with a greater range. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are useful for short journeys, running on electric power and may work as temporary solution on the way to fully electric vehicles. But if you’re ready to make the switch, now’s a great time to be buying an electric car.

Electric cars have many benefits: they’re cheap to charge, efficient, and better for air quality. Buying a second-hand electric car can be an affordable switch from petrol or diesel. However, they can be expensive, so consider if it's worth the investment.
Used electric cars are generally more affordable than new ones. While older electric cars may lack advanced technology or range, it is now possible to find a reasonably priced electric car that is less than five years old. There are financial advantages to running an electric car too: • If you’ve got a home charger, you can charge for a very low cost • You can drive through Clean Air Zones for free • You can save on servicing and maintenance

There are downsides, of course.
Charging an electric car, particularly those with bigger batteries, takes time. Older batteries need more frequent charges, so you may spend a fair amount of time charging unless you can charge overnight. The public charging network is still developing, so check you have access to public charging points near you, if you can’t rely on home charging. Some of the earliest electric vehicles, like the first-generation Nissan Leaf and Lexus UX300e, use the CHAdeMO charging port. This type of port is becoming less common and may be increasingly difficult to locate on public charging networks in the future. If you can, get a home charging point installed as this is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to fuel a car. The running costs can add up too. Insurance is often higher (you can get a free insurance quote here). And while electric cars are cheaper to service, they can be more expensive to fix should something go wrong.

The reliability of a car depends on its make and condition, though the reliability score can provide a general indication.
Studies show electric vehicles are reliable, with fewer breakdowns than petrol or diesel cars. The batteries typically last 10-15 years or over 150,000 miles and many brands offer an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty. Check whether the warranty is transferable after a sale. That said, common issues include software glitches, charging port failures, and worn cables. We’d recommend getting a vehicle history check to confirm the car’s make, model and battery capacity, and other key information including the number of previous owners and the car’s recorded mileage.

One of the main things you’ll need to look at is the used car’s battery.
There’s a lot of anxiety about battery life, but plenty of studies have found electric batteries last a long time. Geotab's study of 6,000 electric vehicles found that batteries degrade by only one or two per cent per year. This means an electric car will retain 94 per cent battery capacity after three years and lose just 10 per cent after ten years. Consumer Reports estimates that the average electric car's battery pack has a lifespan of approximately 200,000 miles, so it should last for years under typical driving conditions.

Ask about the car’s charging history. Batteries typically degrade gradually with repeated charging cycles, so heavy charging can result in a battery that needs charging more often.
Having said that, electric car batteries can be used for several years, and most modern lithium-ion batteries are expected to last the lifespan of the vehicle. Most brands also offer an eight-year warranty on the battery alone. So, even if you do face issues, you’ll be covered in most instances.

There are several ways to test electric car battery health, including:
• battery diagnostics on a manufacturer-specific app (e.g. Nissan Leaf’s Leaf Spy) • estimating battery duration on a test drive, by seeing how much the battery level drops on your drive • using a battery testing kit If your battery health check says the battery health is below 85%, request a discount. For more detail, you can learn more about battery health checks here.

There are more options on the used electric car market than ever. Some of the most popular brands on Auto Trader include:
• Volkswagen • Nissan • BMW • MG • Tesla • Renault • Hyundai

You can find used electric cars on Auto Trader for less than £5,000. You probably won’t be getting the best range or tech for that money, but it could make a decent run around or second car if you’re looking to try electric out for size.
Though still pricier than petrol and diesel cars, many used electric cars are cheaper than their counterparts and are selling faster, especially those three to five years old.

Depreciation trends and resale value

Used electric vehicles (EVs) tend to depreciate faster than petrol and diesel cars due to rapid advancements in battery technology and concerns over range. However, as the market matures, some models are holding their value better than others. If you plan to resell, check historical depreciation trends and avoid models with outdated charging standards (e.g., CHAdeMO).

Much like a second hand petrol or diesel, the best used electric car is the one that gives you the best value for money and best fits your driving style.
Finding the best one can take time, but that’s what we’re here for! Start with a list what you want and need from your car: your average mileage, your proximity to charging points, your daily drives. Add in your budget, then find the car that ticks the most boxes. You can use our expert reviews to see how the cars tested on the road, and see what they’re like to live with in our long-term reviews. Add your must-haves to search (a sunroof, sat nav or all-wheel drive) so you’re seeing the cars you want. You can save a search too, and we’ll let you know when a car you matching your criteria like appears on site. You can learn more about electric cars, the latest releases, the charging infrastructure and the latest news in our electric hub.

Checking a second-hand electric car is similar to a second-hand petrol or diesel – you’ll need to check:
• The V5C registration and service history • Condition of the bodywork, brakes and wheels • The interior, tech and fittings – especially the electrical equipment • The condition of any cables and leads, and of the charging socket Take a test drive and listen for any unusual noises or rattles. Electric cars are quieter than petrol or diesel, so question anything that seems unusual. Here’s our guide to test driving an electric car.

Like petrol cars, electric vehicles have price fluctuations throughout the year. These can include the end of the year, when dealers offer better deals to meet sales quota, and when new models release. You may also see price drops when tax benefits and incentives change, causing supply to increase.

Running a used electric car involves all the usual obligations and costs, including MOT, servicing, insurance, breakdown cover and the rest. To help you budget before you buy, here are the top things you need to know:

From 1 April 2025, electric car owners will be required to pay Band B VED – which is an annual cost of £10 in the first year and £180 in subsequent years under 2024-2025 tax rates. This will be backdated, so used electric cars will have to pay tax too.

Yes, all cars aged three and over (including electric cars) need an annual MOT.
A standard electric vehicle MOT will check that: • Steering, tyres, wheel and suspension all work correctly • Brake pads and discs are in good condition • Windscreens aren’t compromised by chips or cracks • Lights, wipers and other features all work • Rust hasn’t set in on any structural areas or mounting points for suspension, seatbelts or similar The only difference is that electric vehicle MOTs don’t need an emissions test.

Beyond the purchase price, you need to consider some additional ownership costs:
• Insurance: On average, electric vehicles insurance costs are 10-20% higher than petrol cars due to expensive battery repairs. • Maintenance and repairs: While electric vehicles require less routine maintenance (no oil changes, fewer moving parts), battery replacements can be costly. • Charging costs: Home charging can cost as little as 5p per mile, whereas rapid public charging may be 30-50p per kWh. • Charging network subscriptions: Some public charging network providers require monthly fees, so factor these into long-term costs.