Buying a used electric car
New electric cars can be too pricey for many people’s budgets. But with around one in four UK households planning or hoping to buy an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle as their next car, is a second-hand model the way to go?
Our guide to buying a used electric car covers some of the key factors you need to look out for.
New electric cars can be too pricey for many people’s budgets. But with around one in four UK households planning or hoping to buy an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle as their next car, is a second-hand model the way to go?
Our guide to buying a used electric car covers some of the key factors you need to look out for.
60-second summary:Bear these essential points in mind when it comes to buying a used electric car:
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Over the next few years, government plans mean that going electric may become more of a necessity than a choice. But if you don’t have the budget for a brand-new electric car, you might want to consider used options.
The good news is that electric cars are finally starting to take off in the UK, with 314,000 zero-emission cars registered for the first time in 2023. At the end of December 2023, there were 1.015 million licensed zero-emission vehicles on UK roads – an increase of 47% from the previous year.
This growing appetite for green vehicles means that more used electric cars are coming onto the second-hand market than ever before.
As they become more mainstream, it’s expected that this will lead to lower prices and more choice, as well as better infrastructure for plug-in vehicles across the UK. Battery-powered vehicles are typically also cheaper to run than petrol or diesel cars and, of course, kinder to the environment.
But, as with buying any used car, it’s important to do your homework before committing to a second-hand EV. You need to thoroughly check car, battery and paperwork before making a decision. But if you know what you’re looking for, it’s possible to get a great deal on a used EV.
What are the advantages of buying a used electric car?
Along with the obvious green credentials, there are many plus points to buying a second-hand electric car, including:
Purchase price
The prices of second-hand EV cars are all the time becoming more competitive versus standard petrol and diesel prices. And in some cases, they may even be cheaper.
You can now buy a used electric car for under £7,000, while popular sellers like the Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe and more basic Tesla models can go for around £10,000-£15,000 used. (By comparison, a new-generation Nissan Leaf could cost around £30,000.)
Long warranty
Some battery packs on new cars, including the Nissan Leaf and BMW i3, have a warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles. That means you might still be covered when buying second hand, depending on the age of the car.
Tax benefits
If you’re already the owner of a new or second-hand pure electric vehicle, you have no doubt been enjoying the benefit of not paying any road tax. However, as of 1 April 2025, drivers of both new and used zero and low-emission cars will need to pay vehicle tax in the same way as petrol and diesel car owners.
Drivers who use an electric company car could still take advantage of a lower rate of Benefit in Kind (BIK) tax. Despite the rate increase as of 1 April 2025, you’ll still enjoy a lower rate than drivers of petrol and diesel company cars.
Lower running costs
It tends to be cheaper to charge an EV than fill up at the petrol pump. The latest research from the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) suggests that drivers of petrol cars can expect to pay £677 more in annual fuel costs compared to electric cars.
However, how much you could save depends on where you plug in. If you can charge overnight from home and benefit from an electricity tariff that gives you a cheaper rate in off-peak hours, then you could make significant savings. However, if you need to rely on public charging points, then any savings you see are likely to be considerably less.
Electric vehicles can also be cheaper to maintain, with fewer moving parts to go wrong and fewer parts that need replacing over time, like spark plugs, oil filters and cambelts.
Performance
EVs have good acceleration, thanks to the instant power and torque of their electric motor. They’re ideal for driving around town.
EVs are far smoother than petrol or diesel cars and can feel more luxurious due to how quiet and refined they are. If you hate the sound and vibration of old diesels, this could be another reason to look into used EVs, even older models.
What are the disadvantages of buying a used electric car?
There can also be downsides to buying a second-hand electric car that you should be aware of, including:
Range anxiety
EV batteries tend to degrade over time, so the distance they can travel on a single charge may be shorter than when new. Many older models will only have a range of about 100 miles or less, so this could be an inconvenience if you want to use the car for long distances.
Battery lease
Some of the first EV cars, like the Renault Zoe, were sold without a battery to reduce the car’s initial purchase price. This meant the battery had to be leased separately at an additional monthly cost and makes resale more complicated.
Be sure to check whether the battery pack is included in the purchase price or whether you’ll have to pay a monthly battery lease bill once you buy the car.
Battery replacement if you own the battery
Depending on how old your vehicle is, the battery might need replacing at some point while you own the car.
If the battery is out of warranty, this could cost you several thousand pounds and potentially £10,000 or more for some models. So, you may need to factor this into any affordability calculations.
Limited charging points
Drivers of used electric cars are faced with the same infrastructure challenges as new EV buyers.
True, the network of public chargers is growing. According to Zap Map, there were more than 19,834 new public charge points installed in the UK in 2024 – a 37% increase from the previous year. But there are still big regional differences, so you’ll need to make sure you can easily access charging points or have one installed at home.
Lack of driving fun
Some drivers complain that electric vehicles deliver a dull driving experience, particularly the older, more basic, models. If you crave engine noise and the thrill of changing gears, an EV may not be for you. Then again, other drivers love the quiet.
Are there any used electric cars to avoid?
It’s not so much particular models that you should avoid, but you should check the age of an EV before you buy.
Electric cars have been around for a while now, and older electric cars might need charging more often. This could be a hassle if you don’t have a home charging point.
Many electric cars have an eight-year battery warranty, so you might want to avoid used models that are older than this. Others may have warranties that run up to a set mileage limit. Check how close to the limit you would be if this applies to the vehicle you are considering.
Do electric vehicles hold their value?
All vehicles lose value over time, so depreciation (the difference between the car’s value when bought and sold) affects any car, not just electric ones. That said, when EVs first appeared on the scene, owners experienced big drops in value when they came to sell them on. This could be because electric cars weren’t as popular.
But, in recent years, electric cars have started to hold their value better. This could be due to more desirable makes and models coming on to the market, as well as greater awareness of the benefits of driving electric and hybrid cars, plus incentives like not having to pay to enter clean air zones like the London ULEZ.
Broadly speaking, petrol cars can be worth around 40%-65% of their original purchase price after around three years on the road. Electric cars are catching up with that figure, but some models retain their value better than others.
Is car insurance more expensive for electric cars?
In the early days of EVs, car insurance was more expensive than for an equivalent petrol model, because providers had no historical data to work with. There was also a lack of information about how much it would cost to fix EVs if they went wrong.
But as electric cars have become more common and there’s more statistical evidence about the true cost of repairs, insurance costs have come down somewhat. Although they still tend to be more expensive than their petrol counterparts, you can find competitive quotes on some models.
Like any vehicle, regardless of how it’s powered, the key to getting a good deal on car insurance for an electric vehicle is to compare quotes from different insurance providers. That’s where we can help.
What else should I look out for when buying a used electric car?
Unlike with a standard petrol or diesel car, you can’t do things like check the oil dipstick to learn about the condition of the engine.
Electric cars have fewer moving parts than cars with traditional combustion engines, so there should be less that can go wrong. But do give the car a good visual inspection.
Here’s a few things to pay particular attention to when considering whether to buy a used electric car:
- Check what the car’s fully charged range is and compare that to the range of a new model to see how much it has deteriorated.
- Look out for any damage to the charging port and make sure the charging cables are included, as these can be expensive.
- Check the condition of the tyres and the bodywork, keeping an eye out for any signs of accident damage.
- Watch out for any dashboard warning lights that could indicate a problem, and test all the buttons including lights and indicators.
- Look at the condition of the brake discs and pads to make sure they’re in good working order.
- Check the engine coolant levels – low levels could be an indication that the car has been poorly cared for.
Make sure you get a full service history as this will be one of the best ways to assess the car’s condition when you buy it. You can also check the MOT history of the vehicle to see how it has fared in previous tests – you just need the vehicle’s registration number.
It’s also a good idea to take the car for a test drive, especially if you’re new to electric vehicles, to get a feel for it. Listen out for any unusual noises, bumps or vibrations. If you have any doubts, walk away and look for another car instead.
Top tip:If you’re likely to use public charging points, make sure the car is compatible with rapid chargers. These charging points can top up the battery to 80% of its capacity in 20-40 minutes. Just be aware that the charge time could depend on the size of the battery, the speed of the charger being used and the speed at which the car can accept electricity. |
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a grant to buy a second-hand electric car?
There’s no subsidy available to help you buy a used electric car. But if you live in a flat you can get up to £350, or 75% off the cost of installing a home charging point – whichever is cheaper.
If you can’t afford to buy a second-hand EV outright, many dealers offer car finance – or even let you lease a used electric car.
But, as with any finance deal, check the terms and conditions carefully so you understand exactly how much you’ll need to repay before you own the vehicle outright.
How do I check the battery in a pre-owned electric car?
Most EVs have a battery status indicator that shows you how much charging capacity or battery health they have. Simply check the display to see how many of the bars are full.
If you’re concerned about the battery health, ask a dealer to carry out a more detailed diagnostics check.
How do I service an electric car?
Servicing an electric car isn’t massively different to servicing a petrol or diesel car – except there are fewer parts to check and no oil filters to change.
The main areas checked include the:
- Electric motor
- Battery pack
- High-voltage electric cabling
- Suspension
- Brakes
- Steering
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Lights.
Despite there being less for the dealer to do while servicing or performing an MOT on an electric car, they’ll often charge you the same price as servicing a petrol car.
Because EV technology is still relatively new, it can be harder to find a local garage with the necessary skills to service an electric car. But a growing number of mechanics are undergoing training, so this is improving.
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Julie Daniels - Motor insurance expert
Julie is passionate about delivering a great customer experience and rewarding people for saving on their insurance through our loyalty and rewards programme. She’s spoken to the media, including outlets like Sky News and Capital FM, about car and home insurance, as well as our rewards scheme.