Pros and cons of buying a used electric car

EVs are now more common than ever, and getting more popular by the day. But if you want to go for a second-hand model, there are a few extra things to consider before you make the switch. 

Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of buying a used electric car.  

Buying a second-hand EV 

On a basic level, buying a second-hand EV is the same as buying a petrol or diesel-powered car. You still need to check the documentation, the car's history, and all that important stuff. 

But when it comes to the viewing and the test drive, there's a lot less to go on.  

Sure, you can check the general condition of the car, plus the handling and brakes during a test drive. But without an oil dipstick, for example, you’ll want to check to see if the car has a comprehensive service history and how many miles it has done too.  

The good news is that EVs have fewer components than cars with combustion engines, so there’s less to go wrong.  

If you’re thinking about buying a second-hand EV, we’ve done some of the research for you here to help with your decision.  

Advantages of buying a used EV 

Save money 

The cost to power an EV depends on the tariff you use, which is often determined by your location and electricity provider.  

You can use a car journey calculator to see how much switching to an EV could save you on your commute. 

But it's not just fuel you'll save money on either. Switching to an EV can help you save on congestion charges too

It's important to note that EVs are no longer road tax-exempt as of 1 April 2025. Check out our EV and hybrid tax guide to find out what you need to pay.

Greener  

Pure electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions, making them more eco-friendly when running than any petrol, electric or hybrid car. Less pollution means cleaner air and a healthier planet!

Purchase price   

While used EVs are often more expensive than used petrol or diesel cars, they are still cheaper than brand-new EVs. 

Reliability  

Electric vehicles are cheaper to maintain than petrol and diesel cars because they have fewer moving parts and there’s not as much wear and tear. 

Warranty  

Some battery packs on new cars have a warranty of eight years (e.g. BMW, Tesla and Nissan). This means you’ll still be able to benefit from the warranty with a second-hand electric car.  

Broadly speaking, if the battery's capacity drops below a certain percentage within its warranty window, it’ll be repaired or replaced. 

Comfort  

With no engine noise, EVs can offer a comfortable, relaxing driving experience. 

Simplicity  

There's no traditional manual gearbox in an EV, so it's just a case of accelerating and braking - like a conventional automatic car, but easier. 

Performance  

Thanks to the instant torque delivery of an electric motor, which is needed to accelerate the vehicle, EVs are surprisingly quick to pull away. That means they can perform better than some expensive performance cars. 

Disadvantages of buying a used EV 

Range anxiety  

EVs have been known to have a shorter range than petrol and diesel cars. But as time goes on, the range offered by new EVs is slowly increasing.  

But we’re not talking about new EVs here. Used EVs can have the combined issue of a shorter range than petrol and diesel vehicles. One of the reasons is because of battery degradation over time. 

Cardiff University automotive expert, Professor Wells, said: “The main unknown for second-hand EV buyers is the battery’s condition and how much capacity is left. 

However, long manufacturer warranties on battery packs help reduce some of this risk. Plus, as a battery pack has a high value, the end-of-life price of a second-hand EV is higher than a traditional petrol or diesel car.” 

Thankfully, the number of public chargers is increasing in the UK. 

Battery lease  

Check the battery pack is included if you’re buying a second-hand electric vehicle. 

Batteries on some older EVs (e.g. Renault Zoe) were leased to reduce the car’s initial purchase price. So you'll need to factor in an extra cost per month if your used EV has a leased battery, although it's more rare now.  

Purchase price  

Depreciation affects any vehicle, as all cars lose value over time. Whether that's from wear and tear, newer technology elsewhere, or otherwise.  

But electric cars (with their relatively high prices when new) have historically lost value at a higher rate. 

The cost of a brand-new EV is often a barrier that prevents drivers from making the switch from fuel to an electric car. 

As newer, competitively priced EVs go on sale and buyers see older electric cars on the roads, this could change. 

Charging time  

Whether you buy new or used, you’ll need to factor in time to stop and recharge on longer journeys. 

Maintenance  

If something goes wrong with your EV, you might have no choice but to go to a main dealer. That’s because many independent garages don’t specialise in electric vehicles - although this is starting to change.

Charging points  

Buyers of used electric cars suffer from the same infrastructure limitations as new EV buyers. 

The network of public chargers is growing, but if we all switched to electric this year, there wouldn't be anywhere near enough. Also, drivers living in flats or houses with no driveway are quite limited. 

Warranty  

Most new electric cars come with a generous battery warranty of around eight years. So far, there's no evidence that battery packs on older EVs degrade massively, although we know they lose some range with age. 

Interested to find out more about the world of EVs? Head to our EV resource hub for more handy guides and advice.