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buying-a-used-electric-car-everything-you-need-to-know

<p dir="ltr">With the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel-engined&nbsp;cars fast approaching, it's perhaps not surprising that&nbsp;interest in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric cars</a>&nbsp;has grown enormously. However, despite the growing proliferation of new models of all types and sizes, buying an electric car new still costs a lot of money.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Fortunately, the explosion in sales of new examples&nbsp;means there are now many more electric cars in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">classifieds</a>&nbsp;and on&nbsp;used car forecourts. And, of course, buying secondhand means you can dip your toes in the future without necessarily spending a fortune.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">But if you are buying a used electric car, what should you watch out for? Here, we outline some of the things you should consider before making a purchase.&nbsp;</p>


Buying a used electric car: everything you need to know

<p>A pure electric car (also known as an EV&nbsp;or a BEV) is a vehicle that runs solely on electricity 100% of the time, using a rechargeable battery and an electric motor.</p>

<p>Despite the ongoing global supply shortages still affecting all new car sales, 191,000 EVs were sold in the UK last year (more than in the previous five years combined),&nbsp;with them accounting for 11.6% of the market. There are around 500,000 electric vehicles on our roads now&nbsp;and it’s predicted that this will have grown to 6.5 million by 2030. Sales of used electric cars increased by 5.1% in the first quarter of 2022.&nbsp;</p>


What is an electric car?

<p>This is the number one question you need to ask yourself before contemplating the purchase of a used electric vehicle. You’ll need to consider what you’re going to use your car for, and, with the UK's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/electric-car-charging-networks-rated/n23269">public charging infrastructure</a>&nbsp;still struggling to keep pace with the number of EVs on the road, how easily you’ll be able to charge it up.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Basically, if your mileage is moderate and you have easy access to daily charging, an electric car could well be for you. A typical used electric car can travel somewhere between 100 and 250 miles on a full charge, with some premium models extending this to around 300 miles.&nbsp;</p>


Will it fit into my lifestyle?

<p dir="ltr">The ideal setup is to be able to charge your car at home. You can plug your car into a domestic three-pin plug socket, but it will take some time to charge completely.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Better would be to invest in a 7.4kW<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/electric-car-charging-the-best-home-charging-solutions/n21685">&nbsp;home wallbox charger</a>, which should enable you&nbsp;to add around 50 miles of range in about two hours, meaning that a typical electric car would take around eight hours to charge from empty to full. What’s more, you’ll only pay for power at mains electricity rates – around 29p per kilowatt hour (kWh) at the time of writing.&nbsp;</p>


What are the charging options?

<p dir="ltr">The other&nbsp;option is using public charging points. You might&nbsp;need to sign up to a number of different apps, depending on&nbsp;which companies operate the chargers that you plan to use. There are also a plethora of apps that will help you locate one near you whether you’re at home or travelling around.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Most&nbsp;electric cars are compatible with the rapid 50kW chargers, which can add around 100 miles in just 35 minutes. There are currently around 32,000 public electric vehicle charging devices in the UK. Of these, though, just 5800 are rapid chargers.&nbsp;</p>


What if I can't charge at home?

<p dir="ltr">An electric car doesn’t have a gearbox with multiple ratios, but its 'Drive,' 'Neutral'&nbsp;and 'Reverse' pattern mimics a conventional automatic car, so anyone familiar with one of those will find it relatively easy. However, some&nbsp;EVs have more linear and swifter acceleration than their petrol and diesel counterparts, so inexperienced drivers could get into dangerous situations if&nbsp;they’re not used to having so much power on tap.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">Then there’s the matter of regenerative braking and ‘one-pedal’ driving. Most EVs harvest energy as they slow down, feeding it back into their batteries to help eke out their range. The side effect of this is that they decelerate quite rapidly when you lift your foot off the accelerator – in some cases so dramatically that the car can come to a complete halt without you&nbsp;needing&nbsp;to use the conventional brakes at all. This can also take some getting used to.&nbsp;</p>


What are the differences between driving an electric car and a conventional one?

<p>In a nutshell, these days in pretty much all the places you’d expect to buy a conventional petrol or diesel-engined car. You can buy from a franchised or an independent dealer or trader, privately, or via a number of internet car-buying sites, some of which will even deliver the car to you.</p>

<p>You can pay for it in the same way as you would any other car, too; you'll find cash, finance,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/hire-purchase-hp-explained-car-finance-guide/n19709">HP</a>&nbsp;and even&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/personal-contract-purchase-pcp-explained-car-finance-guide/n19714">PCP</a>&nbsp;and leasing options offered by many dealers.&nbsp;</p>


Where can I buy a used electric car?

<p>An EV doesn’t have an engine for you to worry about, but it does come with some crucial must-check points of its own. The most important is the issue of battery degradation. Just like the battery in a smartphone, over time the battery in an EV will lose some of its capacity to charge, and its potential range will be reduced.&nbsp;</p>

<p>You can check this by looking at the car’s range, as displayed on the digital dashboard readout, when fully charged, and comparing it with the official figures for the car. Note, though, that these readings aren’t always completely accurate, and that the&nbsp;figures can be affected by the weather as well as other factors –&nbsp;including how the car has been driven prior to your taking the reading.</p>

<p>As well as this, it’s worth bearing in mind that not all cars will indicate their maximum official range on a full charge even when new.&nbsp;On the whole, battery degradation will affect the range of the car more than it will the performance.</p>


What should I look out for with a used electric car?

<p>So far, reports indicate that electric car batteries&nbsp;are ageing better than originally predicted;&nbsp;it’s estimated that the average EV will lose around 20% of its battery capacity after eight years of use. It’s worth noting, too, that when they’re new, most electric cars have an eight-year battery warranty from the car manufacturer, and this generally guarantees it for 70% of its capacity. So if you're looking for a used EV up to this age, you should be fine.</p>

<p>Some older used EVs, such as early examples of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/leaf/hatchback/used-review/n823">Nissan Leaf</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/used-review/n817">Renault Zoe</a>, might&nbsp;also incur a monthly charge to lease the battery. If you're buying either of these models, it's&nbsp;worth investigating whether this applies to the car you're considering. Battery leasing&nbsp;can keep the purchase cost down, but it's wise to check whether the price of your used Zoe or Leaf includes it.</p>


How much are batteries likely to degrade?

<p>As with a conventionally powered car, you’ll need to check the V5C registration document and the service history of the car thoroughly. Pay attention to&nbsp;such details as the number of owners and the accuracy of the displayed mileage.</p>

<p>Next, check the general condition of the bodywork, the brakes, wheels, tyres and the 12-volt battery, as well as the quality of the interior and its fittings, and makes sure that all the electrical equipment inside&nbsp;is working as it should. Check the car&nbsp;comes with the correct number of keys. Look closely for dents and scrapes in the bodywork; also check panel fit. If the panels don’t line up properly, the car might have been in a collision and then poorly repaired.</p>

<p>In addition, your used electric car should come with all the leads and cables that it was specified with from new. Check that these are present and working properly and take a look at the car’s charging socket to make sure it is clean and in working order.</p>


What else do I need to look out for?

<p>Our advice would be to never buy any car – new or used – without first taking it for a test drive. Make sure you’re insured beforehand, either on your own insurance or by taking out one-day cover. Electric cars&nbsp;are, by their nature,&nbsp;generally&nbsp;quieter than petrols and diesels, so listen out for any unusual noises from the suspension or rattles from the car’s interior fittings. Check everything works as it should, including the electric windows&nbsp;seats, and the infotainment system.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If you're still interested in&nbsp;buying the car after your drive, invest in a car data check to confirm&nbsp;whether it is subject to any outstanding finance. A car data check&nbsp;will also tell you if the registration is the original one and whether or not the car has ever been involved in a major accident. There are several providers, including HPI, the AA, and the RAC.</p>


Should I take a test drive?

<p dir="ltr">As with your smartphone, fully charging or entirely depleting your EV’s battery can degrade it more quickly. Keeping the charge level between around 20% and 80% is recommended as a way of&nbsp;helping&nbsp;your battery to last longer. It’s why most manufacturers quote charging times to 80%, rather than to full.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">It’s worth noting, too, that the frequent use of rapid chargers can also have a detrimental effect on the life of EV batteries. If you’re charging at home, via a charger or a domestic socket, charge overnight when the temperature is lower. Another tip is to use the car as soon as you can after it has finished charging.</p>

<p dir="ltr">If your EV is going to sit around without being driven, or will only be used locally, don’t fully charge it first. Keep the battery around half full, as this is better for its long-term health.</p>


How can I extend my electric car’s battery life?

<p>Aggressive acceleration and hard use also speed up battery wear. It will also reduce the range between charges, so it’s much better to take things slow and steady. Avoid extreme temperatures if possible, too, as these can reduce the car’s range and battery performance.</p>


How can I change my driving to extend my electric car’s battery life?

<p>Data from out annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2021-what-car-reliability-survey/n23397">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>&nbsp;has allowed&nbsp;us to compare&nbsp;electric cars with their conventionally powered counterparts. In comparisons between rivals of similar price and proficiency, petrol and&nbsp;hybrid model comes out on top in the majority of instances.</p>

<p>With the exception of the current&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/leaf/hatchback/review/n17338">Nissan Leaf</a>, however, the electric cars looked at still proved very dependable, suggesting that there isn’t a significantly increased risk by going electric.</p>


Are electric cars more unreliable?

<p dir="ltr">Any car that's more than&nbsp;three years old must have an annual MOT test, which checks a car’s roadworthiness. You can check your potential purchase’s details instantly at www.gov.uk/check-mot-history, so you can see if the car has racked up lots of failures and advisories in recent years</p>

<p dir="ltr">In a study of 5230 EV&nbsp;MOT test results by our sister title<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/move-electric">&nbsp;Move Electric</a>, 87% of cars passed their MOT first time. This is a slightly higher success rate than&nbsp;What Car? found in its analysis of MOT records for petrol and diesel cars, with 84.46% of those aged eight years or less&nbsp;passing first time.</p>


Do electric vehicles have any problems with MOT tests?

<p dir="ltr">The good news here is electric cars have fewer mechanical parts to maintain than petrol and diesel models, so they should cost less to keep in perfect running order. On average, an EV motor has around 20 components, compared with the thousands of moving parts that are found in conventional engines. That means there’s no oil to change, filters to replace or cambelts to renew. However, although there may be fewer moving parts, you’ll still have to regularly check and change fluids and brake pads and discs, so regular servicing is vital.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">It’s worth doing your homework before you buy a used EV and finding out if there’s a suitably qualified dealer near you who can service and maintain the car, just as you would do with a used petrol or diesel car.</p>

<p dir="ltr">It’s also worth noting that electric vehicles come with a potentially dangerous high-voltage electrical system, and it requires suitably qualified automotive technicians to work on them. It is certainly not recommended that owners tinker with their cars themselves for this reason. The boom in sales of EVs, combined with a general shortage of automotive technicians of all sorts, has led to an urgent call to train up more.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter&nbsp;<a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a></strong></p>

<h2 dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/top-10-used-electric-cars/n23476">Read more: The&nbsp;top 10 best used electric cars&nbsp;&gt;&gt;</a></strong></h2>

<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars"><strong>Shop for a used electric car on What Car? &gt;&gt;</strong></a></h3>


Is servicing an electric car a problem?

<p dir="ltr">With the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel-engined cars fast approaching, it's perhaps not surprising that interest in <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric cars</a> has grown enormously. However, despite the growing proliferation of new models of all types and sizes, buying an electric car new still costs a lot of money.</p><p dir="ltr">Fortunately, the explosion in sales of new examples means there are now many more electric cars in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">classifieds</a> and on used car forecourts. And, of course, buying secondhand means you can dip your toes in the future without necessarily spending a fortune. </p><p dir="ltr">But if you are buying a used electric car, what should you watch out for? Here, we outline some of the things you should consider before making a purchase. </p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>What is an electric car?</strong></h3><p>A pure electric car (also known as an EV or a BEV) is a vehicle that runs solely on electricity 100% of the time, using a rechargeable battery and an electric motor.</p><p>Despite the ongoing global supply shortages still affecting all new car sales, 191,000 EVs were sold in the UK last year (more than in the previous five years combined), with them accounting for 11.6% of the market. There are around 500,000 electric vehicles on our roads now and it’s predicted that this will have grown to 6.5 million by 2030. Sales of used electric cars increased by 5.1% in the first quarter of 2022. </p>

<h3><strong>Will it fit into my lifestyle?</strong></h3><p>This is the number one question you need to ask yourself before contemplating the purchase of a used electric vehicle. You’ll need to consider what you’re going to use your car for, and, with the UK's <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/electric-car-charging-networks-rated/n23269">public charging infrastructure</a> still struggling to keep pace with the number of EVs on the road, how easily you’ll be able to charge it up. </p><p>Basically, if your mileage is moderate and you have easy access to daily charging, an electric car could well be for you. A typical used electric car can travel somewhere between 100 and 250 miles on a full charge, with some premium models extending this to around 300 miles. </p><h3><strong>What are the charging options?</strong></h3><p dir="ltr">The ideal setup is to be able to charge your car at home. You can plug your car into a domestic three-pin plug socket, but it will take some time to charge completely.</p><p dir="ltr">Better would be to invest in a 7.4kW<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/electric-car-charging-the-best-home-charging-solutions/n21685"> home wallbox charger</a>, which should enable you to add around 50 miles of range in about two hours, meaning that a typical electric car would take around eight hours to charge from empty to full. What’s more, you’ll only pay for power at mains electricity rates – around 29p per kilowatt hour (kWh) at the time of writing. </p><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>What if I can't charge at home?</strong></h3><p dir="ltr">The other option is using public charging points. You might need to sign up to a number of different apps, depending on which companies operate the chargers that you plan to use. There are also a plethora of apps that will help you locate one near you whether you’re at home or travelling around.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Most electric cars are compatible with the rapid 50kW chargers, which can add around 100 miles in just 35 minutes. There are currently around 32,000 public electric vehicle charging devices in the UK. Of these, though, just 5800 are rapid chargers. </p><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>What are the differences between driving an electric car and a conventional one?</strong></h3><p dir="ltr">An electric car doesn’t have a gearbox with multiple ratios, but its 'Drive,' 'Neutral' and 'Reverse' pattern mimics a conventional automatic car, so anyone familiar with one of those will find it relatively easy. However, some EVs have more linear and swifter acceleration than their petrol and diesel counterparts, so inexperienced drivers could get into dangerous situations if they’re not used to having so much power on tap. </p><p dir="ltr">Then there’s the matter of regenerative braking and ‘one-pedal’ driving. Most EVs harvest energy as they slow down, feeding it back into their batteries to help eke out their range. The side effect of this is that they decelerate quite rapidly when you lift your foot off the accelerator – in some cases so dramatically that the car can come to a complete halt without you needing to use the conventional brakes at all. This can also take some getting used to. </p><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Where can I buy a used electric car?</strong></h3><p>In a nutshell, these days in pretty much all the places you’d expect to buy a conventional petrol or diesel-engined car. You can buy from a franchised or an independent dealer or trader, privately, or via a number of internet car-buying sites, some of which will even deliver the car to you.</p>

<p>You can pay for it in the same way as you would any other car, too; you'll find cash, finance, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/hire-purchase-hp-explained-car-finance-guide/n19709">HP</a> and even <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/personal-contract-purchase-pcp-explained-car-finance-guide/n19714">PCP</a> and leasing options offered by many dealers. </p><h3><strong>What should I look out for with a used electric car?</strong></h3><p>An EV doesn’t have an engine for you to worry about, but it does come with some crucial must-check points of its own. The most important is the issue of battery degradation. Just like the battery in a smartphone, over time the battery in an EV will lose some of its capacity to charge, and its potential range will be reduced. </p><p>You can check this by looking at the car’s range, as displayed on the digital dashboard readout, when fully charged, and comparing it with the official figures for the car. Note, though, that these readings aren’t always completely accurate, and that the figures can be affected by the weather as well as other factors – including how the car has been driven prior to your taking the reading. As well as this, it’s worth bearing in mind that not all cars will indicate their maximum official range on a full charge even when new. On the whole, battery degradation will affect the range of the car more than it will the performance.</p><h3><strong>How much are batteries likely to degrade?</strong></h3><p>So far, reports indicate that electric car batteries are ageing better than originally predicted; it’s estimated that the average EV will lose around 20% of its battery capacity after eight years of use. It’s worth noting, too, that when they’re new, most electric cars have an eight-year battery warranty from the car manufacturer, and this generally guarantees it for 70% of its capacity. So if you're looking for a used EV up to this age, you should be fine.</p>

<p>Some older used EVs, such as early examples of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/leaf/hatchback/used-review/n823">Nissan Leaf</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/used-review/n817">Renault Zoe</a>, might also incur a monthly charge to lease the battery. If you're buying either of these models, it's worth investigating whether this applies to the car you're considering. Battery leasing can keep the purchase cost down, but it's wise to check whether the price of your used Zoe or Leaf includes it.</p><h3><strong>What else do I need to look out for?</strong></h3><p>As with a conventionally powered car, you’ll need to check the V5C registration document and the service history of the car thoroughly. Pay attention to such details as the number of owners and the accuracy of the displayed mileage.</p><p>Next, check the general condition of the bodywork, the brakes, wheels, tyres and the 12-volt battery, as well as the quality of the interior and its fittings, and makes sure that all the electrical equipment inside is working as it should. Check the car comes with the correct number of keys. Look closely for dents and scrapes in the bodywork; also check panel fit. If the panels don’t line up properly, the car might have been in a collision and then poorly repaired.</p><p>In addition, your used electric car should come with all the leads and cables that it was specified with from new. Check that these are present and working properly and take a look at the car’s charging socket to make sure it is clean and in working order.</p><h3><strong>Should I take a test drive?</strong></h3><p>advice would be never buy any car – new or used – without taking it for a test drive first. Make sure you’re insured beforehand, either on your own insurance or by taking out one-day cover. Electric cars are, by their nature, generally quieter than petrols and diesels, so listen out for any unusual noises from the suspension or rattles from the car’s interior fittings. Check everything works as it should, including the electric windows seats, and the infotainment system. </p>

<p>If you're still interested in buying the car after your drive, invest in a car data check to confirm whether it is subject to any outstanding finance. A car data check will also tell you if the registration is the original one and whether or not the car has ever been involved in a major accident. There are several providers, including HPI, the AA, and the RAC.</p><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>How can I extend my electric car’s battery life?</strong></h3><p dir="ltr">As with your smartphone, fully charging or entirely depleting your EV’s battery can degrade it more quickly. Keeping the charge level between around 20% and 80% is recommended as a way of helping your battery to last longer. It’s why most manufacturers quote charging times to 80%, rather than to full. </p><p dir="ltr">It’s worth noting, too, that the frequent use of rapid chargers can also have a detrimental effect on the life of EV batteries. If you’re charging at home, via a charger or a domestic socket, charge overnight when the temperature is lower. Another tip is to use the car as soon as you can after it has finished charging.</p><p dir="ltr">If your EV is going to sit around without being driven, or will only be used locally, don’t fully charge it first. Keep the battery around half full, as this is better for its long-term health.</p><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>How can I change my driving to extend my electric car’s battery life?</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">Aggressive acceleration and hard use also speed up battery wear. It will also reduce the range between charges, so it’s much better to take things slow and steady. Avoid extreme temperatures if possible, too, as these can reduce the car’s range and battery performance.</p><h3><strong>Are electric cars more unreliable?</strong></h3><p dir="ltr">Data from out annual <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2021-what-car-reliability-survey/n23397">What Car? Reliability Survey</a> has allowed us to compare electric cars with their conventionally powered counterparts. In comparisons between rivals of similar price and proficiency, petrol and hybrid model comes out on top in the majority of instances. However, with the exception of the current <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/leaf/hatchback/review/n17338">Nissan Leaf</a>, the electric cars looked at still proved very dependable, suggesting that there isn’t a significantly increased risk by going electric.</p><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Do electric vehicles have any problems with MOT tests?</strong></h3><p dir="ltr">Any car that's more than three years old must have an annual MOT test, which checks a car’s roadworthiness. You can check your potential purchase’s details instantly at www.gov.uk/check-mot-history, so you can see if the car has racked up lots of failures and advisories in recent years</p><p dir="ltr">In a study of 5230 EV MOT test results by our sister title<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/move-electric"> Move Electric</a>, 87% of cars passed their MOT first time. This is a slightly higher success rate than What Car? found in its analysis of MOT records for petrol and diesel cars, with 84.46% of those aged eight years or less passing first time.</p><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Is servicing an electric car a problem?</strong></h3><p dir="ltr">The good news here is electric cars have fewer mechanical parts to maintain than petrol and diesel models, so they should cost less to keep in perfect running order. On average, an EV motor has around 20 components, compared with the thousands of moving parts that are found in conventional engines. That means there’s no oil to change, filters to replace or cambelts to renew. However, although there may be fewer moving parts, you’ll still have to regularly check and change fluids and brake pads and discs, so regular servicing is vital. </p>

<p dir="ltr">It’s worth doing your homework before you buy a used EV and finding out if there’s a suitably qualified dealer near you who can service and maintain the car, just as you would do with a used petrol or diesel car. It’s worth noting that electric vehicles come with a potentially dangerous high-voltage electrical system, and it requires suitably qualified automotive technicians to work on them. It is certainly not recommended that owners tinker with their cars themselves for this reason. The boom in sales of EVs, combined with a general shortage of automotive technicians of all sorts, has led to an urgent call to train up more.  </p>

<p><strong>For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a></strong></p><h2 dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/top-10-used-electric-cars/n23476">Read more: The top 10 best used electric cars &gt;&gt;</a></strong></h2><h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars"><strong>Shop for a used electric car on What Car? &gt;&gt;</strong></a></h3>

<p dir="ltr">With the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel-engined cars fast approaching, it's perhaps not surprising that interest in <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric cars</a> has grown enormously. However, despite the growing proliferation of new models of all types and sizes, buying an electric car new still costs a lot of money.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Fortunately, the explosion in sales of new examples means there are now many more electric cars in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">classifieds</a> and on used car forecourts. And, of course, buying secondhand means you can dip your toes in the future without necessarily spending a fortune. </p><p dir="ltr">But if you are buying a used electric car, what should you watch out for? Here, we outline some of the things you should consider before making a purchase. </p><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>What is an electric car?</strong></h3><p>A pure electric car (also known as an EV or a BEV) is a vehicle that runs solely on electricity 100% of the time, using a rechargeable battery and an electric motor.</p><p>Despite the ongoing global supply shortages still affecting all new car sales, 191,000 EVs were sold in the UK last year (more than in the previous five years combined), with them accounting for 11.6% of the market. There are around 500,000 electric vehicles on our roads now and it’s predicted that this will have grown to 6.5 million by 2030. Sales of used electric cars increased by 5.1% in the first quarter of 2022. </p>

<h3><strong>Will it fit into my lifestyle?</strong></h3><p>This is the number one question you need to ask yourself before contemplating the purchase of a used electric vehicle. You’ll need to consider what you’re going to use your car for, and, with the UK's <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/electric-car-charging-networks-rated/n23269">public charging infrastructure</a> still struggling to keep pace with the number of EVs on the road, how easily you’ll be able to charge it up. </p><p>Basically, if your mileage is moderate and you have easy access to daily charging, an electric car could well be for you. A typical used electric car can travel somewhere between 100 and 250 miles on a full charge, with some premium models extending this to around 300 miles. </p><h3><strong>What are the charging options?</strong></h3><p dir="ltr">The ideal setup is to be able to charge your car at home. You can plug your car into a domestic three-pin plug socket, but it will take some time to charge completely.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Better would be to invest in a 7.4kW<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/electric-car-charging-the-best-home-charging-solutions/n21685"> home wallbox charger</a>, which should enable you to add around 50 miles of range in about two hours, meaning that a typical electric car would take around eight hours to charge from empty to full. What’s more, you’ll only pay for power at mains electricity rates – around 29p per kilowatt hour (kWh) at the time of writing. </p><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>What if I can't charge at home?</strong></h3><p dir="ltr">The other option is using public charging points. You might need to sign up to a number of different apps, depending on which companies operate the chargers that you plan to use. There are also a plethora of apps that will help you locate one near you whether you’re at home or travelling around.</p><p dir="ltr">Most electric cars are compatible with the rapid 50kW chargers, which can add around 100 miles in just 35 minutes. There are currently around 32,000 public electric vehicle charging devices in the UK. Of these, though, just 5800 are rapid chargers. </p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>What are the differences between driving an electric car and a conventional one?</strong></h3><p dir="ltr">An electric car doesn’t have a gearbox with multiple ratios, but its 'Drive,' 'Neutral' and 'Reverse' pattern mimics a conventional automatic car, so anyone familiar with one of those will find it relatively easy. However, some EVs have more linear and swifter acceleration than their petrol and diesel counterparts, so inexperienced drivers could get into dangerous situations if they’re not used to having so much power on tap. </p><p dir="ltr">Then there’s the matter of regenerative braking and ‘one-pedal’ driving. Most EVs harvest energy as they slow down, feeding it back into their batteries to help eke out their range. The side effect of this is that they decelerate quite rapidly when you lift your foot off the accelerator – in some cases so dramatically that the car can come to a complete halt without you needing to use the conventional brakes at all. This can also take some getting used to. </p><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Where can I buy a used electric car?</strong></h3>

<p>In a nutshell, these days in pretty much all the places you’d expect to buy a conventional petrol or diesel-engined car. You can buy from a franchised or an independent dealer or trader, privately, or via a number of internet car-buying sites, some of which will even deliver the car to you.</p><p>You can pay for it in the same way as you would any other car, too; you'll find cash, finance, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/hire-purchase-hp-explained-car-finance-guide/n19709">HP</a> and even <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/personal-contract-purchase-pcp-explained-car-finance-guide/n19714">PCP</a> and leasing options offered by many dealers. </p><h3><strong>What should I look out for with a used electric car?</strong></h3><p>An EV doesn’t have an engine for you to worry about, but it does come with some crucial must-check points of its own. The most important is the issue of battery degradation. Just like the battery in a smartphone, over time the battery in an EV will lose some of its capacity to charge, and its potential range will be reduced. </p><p>You can check this by looking at the car’s range, as displayed on the digital dashboard readout, when fully charged, and comparing it with the official figures for the car. Note, though, that these readings aren’t always completely accurate, and that the figures can be affected by the weather as well as other factors – including how the car has been driven prior to your taking the reading. As well as this, it’s worth bearing in mind that not all cars will indicate their maximum official range on a full charge even when new. On the whole, battery degradation will affect the range of the car more than it will the performance.</p>

<h3><strong>How much are batteries likely to degrade?</strong></h3><p>So far, reports indicate that electric car batteries are ageing better than originally predicted; it’s estimated that the average EV will lose around 20% of its battery capacity after eight years of use. It’s worth noting, too, that when they’re new, most electric cars have an eight-year battery warranty from the car manufacturer, and this generally guarantees it for 70% of its capacity. So if you're looking for a used EV up to this age, you should be fine.</p><p>Some older used EVs, such as early examples of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/leaf/hatchback/used-review/n823">Nissan Leaf</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/used-review/n817">Renault Zoe</a>, might also incur a monthly charge to lease the battery. If you're buying either of these models, it's worth investigating whether this applies to the car you're considering. Battery leasing can keep the purchase cost down, but it's wise to check whether the price of your used Zoe or Leaf includes it.</p>

<h3><strong>What else do I need to look out for?</strong></h3><p>As with a conventionally powered car, you’ll need to check the V5C registration document and the service history of the car thoroughly. Pay attention to such details as the number of owners and the accuracy of the displayed mileage.</p><p>Next, check the general condition of the bodywork, the brakes, wheels, tyres and the 12-volt battery, as well as the quality of the interior and its fittings, and makes sure that all the electrical equipment inside is working as it should. Check the car comes with the correct number of keys. Look closely for dents and scrapes in the bodywork; also check panel fit. If the panels don’t line up properly, the car might have been in a collision and then poorly repaired.</p>

<p>In addition, your used electric car should come with all the leads and cables that it was specified with from new. Check that these are present and working properly and take a look at the car’s charging socket to make sure it is clean and in working order.</p><h3><strong>Should I take a test drive?</strong></h3><p>advice would be never buy any car – new or used – without taking it for a test drive first. Make sure you’re insured beforehand, either on your own insurance or by taking out one-day cover. Electric cars are, by their nature, generally quieter than petrols and diesels, so listen out for any unusual noises from the suspension or rattles from the car’s interior fittings. Check everything works as it should, including the electric windows seats, and the infotainment system. </p><p>If you're still interested in buying the car after your drive, invest in a car data check to confirm whether it is subject to any outstanding finance. A car data check will also tell you if the registration is the original one and whether or not the car has ever been involved in a major accident. There are several providers, including HPI, the AA, and the RAC.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>How can I extend my electric car’s battery life?</strong></h3><p dir="ltr">As with your smartphone, fully charging or entirely depleting your EV’s battery can degrade it more quickly. Keeping the charge level between around 20% and 80% is recommended as a way of helping your battery to last longer. It’s why most manufacturers quote charging times to 80%, rather than to full. </p><p dir="ltr">It’s worth noting, too, that the frequent use of rapid chargers can also have a detrimental effect on the life of EV batteries. If you’re charging at home, via a charger or a domestic socket, charge overnight when the temperature is lower. Another tip is to use the car as soon as you can after it has finished charging.</p><p dir="ltr">If your EV is going to sit around without being driven, or will only be used locally, don’t fully charge it first. Keep the battery around half full, as this is better for its long-term health.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>How can I change my driving to extend my electric car’s battery life?</strong></h3><p dir="ltr">Aggressive acceleration and hard use also speed up battery wear. It will also reduce the range between charges, so it’s much better to take things slow and steady. Avoid extreme temperatures if possible, too, as these can reduce the car’s range and battery performance.</p><h3><strong>Are electric cars more unreliable?</strong></h3><p dir="ltr">Data from out annual <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2021-what-car-reliability-survey/n23397">What Car? Reliability Survey</a> has allowed us to compare electric cars with their conventionally powered counterparts. In comparisons between rivals of similar price and proficiency, petrol and hybrid model comes out on top in the majority of instances. However, with the exception of the current <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/leaf/hatchback/review/n17338">Nissan Leaf</a>, the electric cars looked at still proved very dependable, suggesting that there isn’t a significantly increased risk by going electric.</p><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Do electric vehicles have any problems with MOT tests?</strong></h3><p dir="ltr">Any car that's more than three years old must have an annual MOT test, which checks a car’s roadworthiness. You can check your potential purchase’s details instantly at www.gov.uk/check-mot-history, so you can see if the car has racked up lots of failures and advisories in recent years</p>

<p dir="ltr">In a study of 5230 EV MOT test results by our sister title<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/move-electric"> Move Electric</a>, 87% of cars passed their MOT first time. This is a slightly higher success rate than What Car? found in its analysis of MOT records for petrol and diesel cars, with 84.46% of those aged eight years or less passing first time.</p><h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Is servicing an electric car a problem?</strong></h3><p dir="ltr">The good news here is electric cars have fewer mechanical parts to maintain than petrol and diesel models, so they should cost less to keep in perfect running order. On average, an EV motor has around 20 components, compared with the thousands of moving parts that are found in conventional engines. That means there’s no oil to change, filters to replace or cambelts to renew. However, although there may be fewer moving parts, you’ll still have to regularly check and change fluids and brake pads and discs, so regular servicing is vital. </p>

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test </li> <li>Quick charging times and compatibility with the most ubiquitous types of public charging points </li> <li>Priced to be within the grasp of more than just the privileged few </li> <li>As with any car, ride comfort, practicality and ownership costs can’t be ignored</li></ul>

<p dir="ltr">We define an electric car as one that runs purely on battery power and has no tailpipe to puff out nasty chemicals.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The best of the breed offer sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test cycle.</p>

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Sales of new electric cars are booming, which means there's an ever-increasing number of temptingly priced examples on the used market. But what do you need to watch out for?

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Buying a used electric car: everything you need to know

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