What should I be checking when buying a used electric car?

With rising fuel prices, interest in used electric cars has never been higher. Recent data from AA Cars has shown that views of EV listings are up by nearly 50 per cent year-on-year in September as more people look to make the switch.

Driving an electric car can help to protect drivers from petrol and diesel price increases, and used examples make even better sense financially. While EVs do have fewer moving parts than a petrol or diesel car, there are still some things to check when looking at a used example. Let’s take a look at what you need to know.

Battery health check

That’s where a battery health check will come in. It’ll show you the battery’s status, and you’ll be able to compare its current capacity with what it offered when it was brand new.

Range

You can also check the car’s range. Ask the seller to charge the car to 80 per cent, and then compare the displayed range to the official range that it was offered with by the manufacturer.

This will give you a better idea of the type of real-world range that you’ll get if you buy the car. Just remember that colder weather could impact the amount of range displayed, so if you’re looking at a used EV on a particularly cold day, it might display less than what you’ll get during the summer.

Battery warranty

Nearly all electric vehicles come with some form of battery warranty. The usual standard is eight years, though there are different parameters as to what constitutes the need for a replacement – so check the car’s handbook or original documentation to find out more.

You can always ask the seller about the warranty, as well as any other protections which might be applied to the car’s systems. Some older electric vehicles were sold with a separate lease on the battery itself, so check whether this applies to the car you’re looking at too.

Charging system

Take a closer look at the car’s charging ports, too; are they damaged or corroded? A damaged charging port could be an expensive repair, so double-check that it’s all as it should be.

Cables

Less common is the three-pin charger which can plug the car into a conventional domestic socket. However, using these is less advisable as they can put additional strain on the energy supply of the house. Also, using these so-called ‘granny chargers’ will lead to an incredibly slow charge time, with a full top-up of a standard EV taking a few days when using this method.

Tyres

Check that the tyres have enough tread – the UK minimum is 1.6mm – and ensure that they’re properly inflated. Under-inflated tyres will seriously impact the range, so make sure that they’re just right.

Service history

Electric cars still need servicing, and though there are fewer things to check than on a petrol or diesel car, components still need reviewing on a regular basis by a trained engineer. Older EVs will still need an MOT each year, too.

Ask to see proof of previous services alongside any receipts for repairs or components. Some cars have a digital service manual, so ask to see this if it applies to the car you’re looking at.

Suspension and brakes

As with a petrol or diesel car, you’ll want to check that an electric car’s suspension and brakes are working as they should be. Listen out for any squeaks or rattles that come from the suspension – they’ll be easier to hear due to the lack of engine noise – and turn the steering wheel from side to side when stationary, as it’ll highlight any issues with the rack.

Make sure that the brakes stop the car in a smooth, progressive manner and test out the regenerative braking, too. This works by reversing the direction of the car’s electric motors, slowing the car down in the process. If you’re new to EVs, it’ll feel like the car starts slowing itself down when you lift off the accelerator, but make sure that it is doing this smoothly.