HOW TO BUY THE BEST USED EV

Buying a used electric car isn't something to be scared of. Here are our tips on what to look out for

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THE STEADY GROWTH in sales of new electric vehicles (EVs) over the past few years means there are now many more used examples for sale in the classifieds and on used car lots. And as we've seen, buying second-hand means you can dip your toes into zero-emissions motoring without splashing out a fortune.

But if you are buying a used EV, what should you watch out for? Here, we outline some of the things you should consider before purchasing.

Where can I buy a used EV?

These days, EVs are sold 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, privately, or via several internet car buying sites. What Car?'s own online classifieds, for example, currently feature around 28,000 used EVs being sold by both dealers and private owners. You can pay in the same way as you would any other car, too; you'll even find PCP and leasing options offered by many dealers.

What should I look out for with a used EV?

The biggest potential issue with EVs is battery degradation. Just like the one in a smartphone, an EV's battery will lose some of its usable storage capacity over time, and the car's range will fall.

The simplest way to check this is by looking at the car's predicted range (usually displayed on the digital instrument panel) when fully charged, and comparing it with the official figures for the car. Bear in mind, though, that very few EVs can match the official figures in real-world use. Range can also be affected by air temperature and other factors, including how the car has been driven recently. This type of check is more about seeing if there are any larger-than-expected discrepancies.