What to Look for When Buying a Used Electric Car

Do you want to buy an electric car but not spend a huge chunk of your savings on it? One of the best ways to save money on your electric car purchase is to buy a used EV.

You can save thousands of pounds if you know how to choose a good secondhand electric car. Suppose you’re determined to spend as little as possible.

In that case, you must be ready to inspect the vehicle and all its documents before finalising your purchase.

Here are some tips on what to look for when buying a used electric car.

Your Guide to Buying an Electric Car

Driving an environmentally friendly vehicle helps reduce air and noise pollution a great deal. Imagine how awesome it would be if everyone drove an electric car, but the reality is that EVs won’t suit all drivers.

That’s why the first important question to ask is, “Is an electric car right for me?” If you only drive within the city and cover less than 200 miles daily, then an EV is a great choice for a new car.

Charging Points

Another crucial factor is your access to a charger or charging point at home, near your home or at your work’s parking spaces. 

If you drive long distances more frequently, you may want to learn more about electric cars with higher mileage capabilities and whether there are charging points available on your way to your destination.

Driving needs

The mileage range of electric cars continues to increase as EV technologies improve. However, you also need to be realistic about what car is right for your current driving needs.

Budget

Electric cars are more expensive than their petrol or diesel-fueled counterparts, although they are cheaper to run since electricity is a lot more affordable than fuel.

So, be sure to consider these factors before buying an electric car.  

What to Know Before Buying an Electric Car

If you’ve decided that an electric car suits your driving needs, that’s great!

As mentioned previously, electric vehicles can get quite pricey, so one way to cut spending on your purchase is to buy a used electric car.

Here are some tips to remember when you’re shopping for a secondhand EV. 

Check the Car’s Service History

Buying a used electric car is much like buying a conventional petrol or diesel car. You still need to give it a thorough inspection to make sure its condition is as advertised.

Start by checking the service history of the car. You may already know that EVs don’t need as much maintenance as their combustion engine counterparts since they have fewer moving parts.

However, like anything we use, EVs will still incur wear and tear. It’s crucial to know if the electric car has had regular servicing if any issues were found, and whether they’ve been fixed satisfactorily. 

Know Where to Service the Car

Usually, it’s not a big challenge to find a garage to service an electric car. But just to be sure, you might want to check with the dealership if they provide this service and, if not, where this can be done.

Even if electric cars require less maintenance than conventional vehicles, they still need to be checked regularly by an EV specialist.

Some of the major checks include the battery pack, electric motor, electric cabling, wheels, steering, brakes, suspensions, lights, and tyres. 

Know Where to Charge Your EV

Of course, before deciding to buy an electric car, it’s important to know the charging points where you can plug it in. If you want a home charger, then consider the cost of installing one.

You may also want to look into how much charging an electric car at home will add to your electric bill.

The good news is that the cost of charging an EV is far cheaper than topping up a typical car at a fuel station, so this isn’t something to get stressed about.

If you can’t charge at home, check if you can do so at your work’s parking spaces or if there are charging points near your residence. 

Should I buy an electric car?

The answer to this question really depends on how you use a car. For city driving and the occasional out-of-town road trips, an electric car would be wonderful to drive.

When you do decide to buy a used electric car, you might want to check if the battery is owned or leased.

Some electric car manufacturers had the batteries leased to make the purchase price of their cars more affordable.

Look for the phrase “battery owned” when shopping for a used EV. Otherwise, you can expect to pay around £50 monthly to lease the battery. 

Best Electric Car to Buy

What’s great about buying a used electric car is you can get a better car without spending more than what your budget allows.

For example, the price of a brand-new BMW i3 is around £34,000. But if you buy a used one, prices can go as low as £11,000. You get to save so much money with that purchase.

Another advantage of buying a used car is the modifications or upgrades it may have. You might just get a really nice infotainment system, alloy wheels, or premium tyres without having to pay extra! 

Here are our top picks of the most affordable electric cars you can choose from.

Is it worth buying an electric car?

Electric cars are cheaper to run than petrol or diesel cars. So, even if EVs are more expensive to buy, you’ll definitely save more money in the long run. If the electric car suits your driving needs, it’s surely worth buying one.

Not only will you be able to save money, but you will also reduce your carbon footprint by driving a zero-carbon emission vehicle. 🍃