There have been many headlines lately about the decrease in second-hand values of electric cars. This is bad news if you’ve recently bought a new one, but if you fancy a used electric car, perhaps as a second car, or even as your main car, this can just be music to your ears, because – after all – used EVs are currently on the market. cheaper than ever.
Yet the perception remains among a large segment of the buying public that EVs are expensive to purchase at any stage; though the truth is that many great electric cars are now selling for less than £20,000, and often substantially so. the potential dangers of the worst side of the market.
While battery degradation is always a concern for a used EV, these cars are still new enough to have almost all of their original battery capacity left; Some even come with part of the manufacturer’s warranty still valid.
So if you want to get into the electric car pool but don’t want to buy a brand new car, these are the models you can do it with.
Best budget EV: Volkswagen e-Golf (2014-2020)
With the rise of Volkswagen’s first dedicated EV, the ID.3, the old e-Golf has been somewhat forgotten, but now represents great value. Early examples with the smaller 24kWh battery pack are the cheapest and will likely last 60-70 real-world miles between charges, making them best suited for city trips or commutes.
Later examples don’t cost as much, and their 36kWh battery packs provide a more useful real-world range of around 185 miles. DC charging is still relatively slow by modern standards (peak is 40kW), but this is still enough to allow a 10 to 80 percent charge in just over half an hour.
Moreover, early indications suggest that the decline in VW’s battery capacity over time is very low. As part of Geotab’s survey of 6,000 electric cars, the e-Golf recorded one of the lowest battery degradation rates, with approximately 96 percent of its original capacity remaining after three years. Moreover, the e-Golf has been repeatedly rated as one of the most reliable electric cars in successive reliability studies. This makes it a great used EV to buy.
But the best thing about Golf is its relative normality. Apart from the powertrain, it looks and feels just like the petrol or diesel automatic Mk7 Golf, with all its practicality, quality and comfort. As a result, we think it has extra value over the first-generation Nissan Leaf, the only other EV of similar size and price.
Price to be paid: From £8,000
We found: 2018 e-Golf 36kWh, 61,000 miles, full service history, £10,500
I need to know: Although the e-Golf rates fairly well in terms of reliability, some early production examples experienced electrical problems with the battery control module; Irrelevant, prolonged use in ECO+ mode may cause the 12-volt battery to discharge.
Most used EV for entertainment: Mini Electric (2020-2023)
When Mini set out to create an electric car, it knew it had to maintain the brand’s reputation for driving pleasure. Fortunately, the Mini Electric is one of the most fun EVs out there, with a giggle-inducing driving experience that offers far more feel and feedback than most.
And it’s not just when the Mini Electric is on the move that it feels good. As with petrol and diesel-powered Minis, its flamboyant styling, retro interior and wide range of paint and trim finishes mean it’s both fun to look at and fun to be in, even when relaxing. 2023 What Car? It also has an excellent reliability record, ranking at the top of the electric car rankings in the competition. Reliability Research.
Of course, if practicality is your primary requirement, the Mini Electric isn’t the best choice here. It only comes as a three-door, and since the rear seats are narrow, getting your kids into child seats is a bit of a hassle. The trunk is also quite small, and real-world electric range of around 110 miles isn’t very great. But if you’re after a city tour that will make you smile, the Mini is hard to beat.
Price to be paid: From £12,000
We found: 2020 Mini Electric Level 1, 30,000 miles, full service history, £12,495
I need to know: Some Minis have been known to suffer strange electrical malfunctions caused by short circuits in the wiring loom. These are not easy to track down, but once found they are usually easy to fix.
Best for comfort: Citroën ë-C4 (2020-present)
The extra weight of the battery makes EVs more prone to skidding when cornering; To counter this, many manufacturers choose to install stiffer suspension, which can make electric cars feel quite bumpy.
But not Citroën. The French brand’s stated aim is to prioritize comfort, and as part of this it has ensured that the ë-C4’s suspension is as soft as possible. Combined with the luxurious “Advanced Comfort” seats that are standard on top models, the result is an EV that does a terrific job of isolating bumps in your rear end.
But doesn’t that mean it will spread everywhere? Yes, it’s true that the ë-C4 isn’t as precise or taut as its electric rivals; but with its surprisingly well-controlled body and plenty of grip, it doesn’t fall apart in corners either. It is also a useful family car with its hatchback trunk and five wide seats.
Price to be paid: From £14,000
We found: 2022 Citroën ë-C4 Shine 50 kWh, 18,000 miles, £14,999
I need to know: The entry-level Sense and Sense Plus versions are fairly poorly equipped and don’t offer enough discounts to make them worthwhile compared to the more luxurious Shine version.
Best for ease of use: Tesla Model 3 (2019-2024)
There’s a reason why the Model 3 has become one of the UK’s best-selling electric cars, and it’s not just the brand’s forward-thinking public image.
Climb aboard and there is no start button. As long as you have your key card in your pocket, simply select “Drive”, hit the gas and hit the brakes to stop. It’s that easy.
The huge central touchscreen contains all the car’s controls, so finding your way around can be a bit of a pain. But with that exception, driving the Model 3 is a conundrum. And most importantly, so does charging it.
Connect to Tesla Supercharger and connect your car. The two will communicate, initiate payment and bill your account; You won’t have to deal with apps or cards. Keep in mind that given the Model 3’s long range (even the Standard Range Plus can get you around 305 km on a charge in the real world), you shouldn’t have to use the Supercharger very often.
Price to be paid: From £17,500
We found: 2019 Model 3 Standard Range Plus, 33,000 miles, full service history, £19,995
Be careful: Generally speaking, Model 3s are better built than the larger Model S, but early cars still suffered from quality issues, so examine panel gaps carefully and look for tell-tale signs of problems, such as condensation on light units or error messages on the screen.
Best all-rounder (and our best buy): Kia e-Niro (2018-2022)
There’s a reason the e-Niro has long been our favorite electric car. Its combination of sensible size, impressive range, practical interior, comfortable ride, generous specification and decent handling made it a no-brainer for those looking for a modestly priced EV as their next family car.
These features remain valid and, with values falling recently, the e-Niro can now be had at very reasonable prices on the second-hand market.
Note that the e-Niro is also covered by Kia’s seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty – and given that it was introduced in 2019, this means every e-Niro will still have at least a two-year manufacturer’s warranty left over.
At this price, this makes the e-Niro an excellent all-rounder, which is why it’s our best recommended buy among second-hand EVs right now.
Price to be paid: From £15,000
We found: 2019 e-Niro First Edition 64kWh, 21,000 miles, full service history, £16,450
I need to know: Standard 12-volt batteries can be a bit weak, so they discharge easily, especially if left with the ignition on while the vehicle is not running; A faulty trunk switch can also drain the battery.
…and the second-hand electric car to avoid: Vauxhall Mokka E (2020-present)
On the surface, the Mokka E is the perfect electric car. It looks good, it’s nice to drive, and there are plenty of them around, which has helped keep values down and made it pretty affordable by EV standards.
But there are problems. For starters, its rear seats are more cramped than rivals like the Kia e-Niro. The trunk is also smaller.
But the biggest problem is that the Mokka E has earned a reputation for subpar reliability. It emerged as the least reliable electric car in 2023 Which Car? Reliability Survey with a dismal score of 61 percent. This is backed up by car owners’ internet forums, which are filled with stories of electrical problems, charging problems, range falling well below expected levels and even cars dying on the side of the road without warning, leaving their owners stranded.
Perhaps the Mokka E’s reliability will improve with the arrival of a new powertrain in 2024; but for now, their poor reliability record means these old cars should be avoided.