When you mention buying a used car to most people, they tend to shy away. Some roll their eyes, claiming they want to avoid risks.

However, there are others who argue that it was the best decision they ever made. I count myself among them.

Having driven electric vehicles (EVs) daily for 15 years, owning seven different models, and covering 170,000 miles with just one set of batteries, I’ve gained valuable insights. Remarkably, I’ve faced no issues during those miles.

My only repair bill came recently. For my Tesla Model 3, the cost to replace the front control arm bushes was £375. I’ve owned it for five years and clocked 50,000 miles.

Driving Made Easier

Purchasing a used EV carries far less risk compared to a pre-owned combustion engine vehicle. An EV drivetrain consists of roughly 20 moving parts, unlike the endless list of potential issues in gasoline or diesel vehicles—think clutches, gearboxes, fuel pumps, and exhaust systems.

Numerous studies confirm that EVs degrade less quickly than their combustion counterparts.

For routine maintenance on your EV, you’ll primarily need to replace the cabin filter, change the brake fluid every three years, and rotate the tires. This is due to the limited number of friction-based components.

Understanding the mechanical simplicity of EVs helps identify key maintenance areas to watch for.

The most significant concern for used EV buyers is the battery. Luckily, extensive data shows that lithium-ion batteries have low failure rates.

Most EVs come with an 8-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty. If the capacity dips below 70%, the manufacturer will replace it at no cost. I drove one EV 250,000 miles with its original battery pack before it exited warranty.

Some EVs even show original battery packs functioning well beyond 300,000 miles.

Today, experts agree that EV batteries may even outlast the car chassis.

According to Consumer Reports, average battery packs have a lifespan of approximately 200,000 miles, while Geotab Research showed only a 10% loss in capacity among 10,000 EVs over ten years.

In contrast, combustion engines tend to lose efficiency due to wear and tear after just ten years.

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What to Look For

Dealers now offer State of Health (SOH) certificates for batteries, and many EVs come with software allowing owners to check the SOH themselves. For instance, I checked my Tesla at 50,000 miles and found it still had 93% capacity.

When buying from a dealer, request a SOH certificate, or verify battery capacity in private sales. A capacity around 90% suggests minimal cell degradation, indicating plenty of useful life left.

However, some models have had issues. Early Nissan Leafs had battery cooling problems, resulting in a faster loss of range and capacity than other EVs.

Initial Renault Zoes faced battery management issues, while older electric smart vehicles can be challenging to maintain. Similarly, the earliest BMW i3 models showed reliability glitches, as noted by What Car. The concerns also extend to the MG4 and Vauxhall Corsa E.

The consensus is to be cautious with earlier EV models.

Battery technology has evolved, providing better software, extended ranges, and faster charging times.

Some EVs feature Chademo plugs, which are being phased out in many regions. Adapters are available to convert these to the universally used CCS charging system.

Choosing EVs from 2017 onward generally means accessing more advanced technology.

Hybrid batteries tend to wear out faster due to frequent charging cycles, leading to premature failures.

Hybrids are also less reliable compared to purely electric EVs. This is compounded by the dual powertrains of gasoline engines and batteries.

Additionally, maintaining hybrids can be costlier. Their electric ranges typically fall between 20-40 miles for plug-in hybrids, while mild and full hybrids rely primarily on gasoline engines and aren’t true EVs.

Some EVs have encountered problems with charging port flaps, ports, and cables, although these issues are relatively rare.

Make sure to test the charging port and flap functionality prior to finalizing a purchase. Monitor the central screen for charging alerts and connection failures.

Before you arrive, ensure the seller has charged the battery to 100% and check the displayed range against the manufacturer’s estimate. If it’s significantly lower, reconsider the purchase.

While most EVs experience range reductions in cold weather, a warm ambient temperature should yield a range close to official numbers. EVs equipped with heat pumps show improved low-temperature performance.

Although 12-volt batteries in some EVs (similar to combustion vehicles) may lose charge over time, it’s advisable to replace the auxiliary battery every three years. This can impact how effectively the main battery charges, potentially triggering software issues.

Beyond electrical concerns, inspect for suspension wear in the front control arms and bushes. If you notice any rattling or creaking, inquire about it; the EV should operate smoothly and quietly.

Currently, a robust global dataset confirms that EVs are generally more reliable than gasoline or diesel vehicles.

Lastly, before buying, consider investing in a home charging unit (if space permits) to facilitate convenient charging at home.

This allows for an average full charge cost of under £15, translating to about 3p per mile. Even with a second-hand EV, this is significantly more economical than traditional filling stations for petrol and diesel vehicles.

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