Used electric car: what to check before buying

A used electric car can be a good choice. Before buying, check more than mileage and bodywork: battery health, charging behaviour and vehicle history together offer a better basis for your decision.

Seven things worth checking

1. Battery SOH. Ask for a recent battery-health report and find out how it was produced and what its limitations are.
2. Charging. Inspect the charging port and cables. Where possible, test AC and DC charging as appropriate for the model.
3. Dashboard warnings. Note fault messages and request diagnosis if any are present.
4. Service and repair history. Ask about high-voltage components, software updates and manufacturer recalls.
5. Vehicle history. Check VIN, accident, ownership and mileage records where available.
6. Test drive. Assess regenerative braking, climate controls, power delivery and general driving behaviour.
7. Warranty and service options. Confirm remaining battery-warranty terms and access to suitable repair services.

What does a battery SOH check reveal?

SOH (State of Health) usually describes an estimated battery condition relative to a reference state. It is not a laboratory assessment of every component. Methods can produce different results, and SOH alone does not predict exact range.

Where available, cell voltages, temperatures, diagnostic codes and other BMS data provide additional context.

Questions to ask the seller

• When was the battery tested and by which method?
• Has the vehicle had charging, battery or high-voltage system repairs?
• Can you test charging and arrange an independent inspection?
• Does the manufacturer's battery warranty still apply, and under what conditions?

EV or plug-in hybrid?

Battery use and diagnostic access differ between BEV and PHEV models. Provide the exact model, year and battery variant before arranging a test.