What is the Best Second-Hand Electric Car? (2024)
Find out which electric cars are the best to buy second-hand and which are the cheapest
Due to high demand and supply chain issues slowing down the production of new cars, more UK drivers are turning to the second-hand car market. If you want to buy an electric car, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t consider a pre-owned model.
Read on to find out why buying a second-hand electric car could be the best option for you, as well as which pre-owned models are the best and cheapest ones to buy.
Why Should I Consider Buying a Second-Hand Electric Car?
Brand-new electric cars are very expensive - even the cheapest will set you back around £20,000. On the other hand, second-hand EVs are more affordable. There are plenty of options available for less than £20,000. You can even buy a 2016 Nissan Leaf or Renault Zoe for less than £10,000.
The only downside is the lack of choice available. If you only have £10,000 to spend, your choices are pretty much limited to the Leaf or the Zoe. However, if you can stretch your budget to £20,000, there is a wider range of electric car deals - including some, 2020, 2021 and 2022 models.
With the problems the new car market has faced due to COVID-19, demand for second-hand cars is much higher. This means they are currently more expensive. We would expect this to drop throughout 2024.
How Reliable is a Second-Hand Electric Car?
You should always check for a full-service history when buying a used car to confirm its reliability, and an EV is no different. However, battery life is the main concern with older electric cars' reliability.
Electric cars are powered by lithium-ion batteries. These deteriorate with age and through the recharging process. This means they become less effective as they age (just like a smartphone battery).
However, EV batteries are often guaranteed to still hold 70% of their original capacity after 7 years. You should ask to see the car when it’s fully charged and check the information screen for any warnings about battery health. If the car you’re looking at is less than 7 years old, the battery guarantee should transfer, especially if you’re buying from a car dealership.
However, Nissan has said that the battery guarantee is not transferrable if you sell through a garage, motor trader, auction or similar company. on privately sold models.
This may also be true for other manufacturers, so make sure you ask about the battery warranty before you agree on a deal. Do not buy the car if the seller can't answer the question or you're not satisfied with their answer.
5 Best Second-Hand Electric Cars
We have found the best, affordable second hand electric cars on AutoTrader.co.uk. We have also provided deals and official reviews from WhatCar? to help you make an informed decision.
All second-hand car price ranges are correct as of June 2024 and are for illustrative purposes only.
Here are the 5 best second-hand electric cars you can currently buy for less than £20,000.
Nissan Leaf
Price Range - £3,000 - £20,000
Age Range - 2011 - 2020
Review
The Leaf is pretty good to drive, well-equipped and easy to live with (mainly thanks to a bigger boot than some competitors). However, it feels slightly cramped in the back, the driving position is slightly flawed and it is falling behind other models in its class.
Read the full WhatCar? review of the Nissan Leaf.
Renault Zoe
Price Range - £4000 - £20,000
Age Range - 2013 - 2022
Review
The Zoe offers very good value for money, excellent practicality and a longer range than many of its rivals. However, it is also slightly less comfortable than some of its rivals, has a worse driving position and some safety features aren't available on the entry level trim.
Read the full WhatCar? review of the Renault Zoe.
BMW i3
Price Range - £6,480 - £20,000
Age Range - 2013 - 2022
Review
The i3 is a fairly sporty car that boasts a high-quality interior and infotainment system as well as funky and different styling. However, it is quite expensive, impractical and many cheaper rivals travel further on a single charge.
Read the full WhatCar? review of the BMW i3.
Smart fortwo
Price Range - £5000 - £19,995
Age Range - 2018 - 2023
Review
The fortwo is the perfect size for an urban electric car: it's easy to park and fits through some of the smallest gaps - plus, it's very cheap to buy. However, it has very poor range, can be noisy at speeds and isn't very refined or practical.
Read the full WhatCar? review of the Smart fortwo.
Kia Soul EV
Price Range - £6,199 - £20,000
Age Range - 2015 - 2021
Review
The Soul is a very strong electric car, with an impressive range and a good level of equipment. However, you may find the ride a little firm and it is quite compact, so boot space is a little on the small side.
Read the full WhatCar? review of the Kia Soul EV.
Read More
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