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Used electric cars
Most electric cars in the UK are bought second-hand. These guides cover the cars people search for most, with battery sizes, real-world range, warranty terms and typical asking prices.
Nissan Leaf
2011 to 2024 (first and second generation)
The cheapest way into an EV. No liquid battery cooling and CHAdeMO rapid charging; the 40 and 62 kWh cars make most sense.
Average asking prices about £3,500 (2015) to £13,100 (2024 cars)
Read the guide →Renault Zoe
2013 to 2024
Check whether the battery is owned (an "i" in the name on the V5C) or hired monthly. Many ZE40 cars cannot rapid charge.
About £4,400 (2014) to £12,800 (2023)
Read the guide →BMW i3 and i3s
2013 to 2022
Carbon-fibre body that can be costly to repair; range-extender versions have a small petrol engine. 120 Ah cars go furthest.
About £8,600 (2014) to £16,300 (2022)
Read the guide →Volkswagen e-Golf
2014 to 2020
A Golf that happens to be electric. The later 35.8 kWh cars give about 115 miles of real-world range.
About £8,900 (2018) to £10,600 (2020)
Read the guide →Kia e-Niro
2019 to 2022 (first generation)
The 64 kWh car covers about 230 miles, and any remaining 7-year warranty passes to the next owner.
About £14,700 (2019) to £16,000 (2021)
Read the guide →Hyundai Kona Electric
2018 to 2023 (first generation)
Check the 2021 battery recall work has been done. The 64 kWh car covers about 240 miles.
Listings from about £11,400 (all generations)
Read the guide →Hyundai Ioniq Electric
2016 to 2022
Very efficient. The early 28 kWh car rapid-charges faster than the later 38 kWh car.
Listings from about £8,000
Read the guide →Tesla Model 3
2019 to 2023 (before the late-2023 update)
Fast charging and long range. The warranty follows the car when the ownership transfer is completed through Tesla.
About £16,000 (2019) to £22,200 (2023)
Read the guide →Tesla Model S
2014 to 2021
Long range for the money, but many early cars are now outside the 8-year battery warranty.
About £16,000 (2014) to £19,400 (2021), with wide ranges
Read the guide →Jaguar I-Pace
2018 to 2025
Pre-2021 cars were recalled over a battery fire risk; the fix cuts usable capacity by 10%. Check the recall record.
About £12,600 (2018) to £28,300 (2024)
Read the guide →VW e-Up, Skoda Citigo e iV and Seat Mii Electric
2014 to 2022
Small four-seat city cars. The 2020-on cars with a 32.3 kWh battery cover about 125 miles.
About £8,000 to £11,000 (few listings)
Read the guide →Peugeot e-208
2020 to 2023
Rapid-charges well; cold-weather range is a weak point, and a heat pump is standard only from the late-2022 update.
About £10,900 (2020) to £14,100 (2023)
Read the guide →MG ZS EV
2019 to 2025
Long Range facelift cars cover about 225 miles; the 7-year/80,000-mile warranty transfers with full service history.
Listings from about £8,800 (all versions)
Read the guide →MG5 EV
2020 to 2025
A rare electric estate car with a 7-year/80,000-mile warranty from new.
About £9,500 (2021) to £16,800 (2024)
Read the guide →Battery health and the checklist
A battery's state of health (SoH) is how much of its original capacity it still has. Most manufacturers repair or replace a battery that falls below a set level, often 70%, within the warranty period. The car's own reading can be inaccurate, which is why independent tests exist. What a battery health report shows.
- Get an independent battery health (state of health) report, or ask the seller for a recent one
- Check how much battery warranty is left (years and miles from first registration) and whether it transfers to you
- For a Renault Zoe or early Nissan Leaf, check whether the battery is owned or hired
- Check recalls on GOV.UK and that any battery recall work has been done
- Check the MOT history and mileage on GOV.UK
- Check the rapid-charging plug (CCS or CHAdeMO) and that rapid charging is fitted at all
- Make sure both charging cables are with the car
- Ask for the service history: some warranties need servicing on time
- Test drive from a full charge and watch the range estimate and any warnings
- Remember the Electric Car Grant is for new cars only
See also Buying a used electric car: battery health and what to check. The Electric Car Grant applies to new cars only.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth buying a used electric car?
It can be: used EVs cost far less than new ones and are cheap to run if you can charge at home. Check the battery health, remaining warranty and charging equipment first.
Do used electric cars qualify for the Electric Car Grant?
No. The Electric Car Grant can only be claimed for new cars at the point of first registration (GOV.UK).
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