Has the idea of buying a used electric car intrigued you? Is it worth spending your hard-earned money on a second-hand electric vehicle?

If you're wondering, read on to learn whether it makes sense to buy a second-hand electric car, as well as what to look out for when shopping for one.

Is a Second-Hand Electric Car Right For You?

white Polestar 2 fully electric vehicle on street against brick wall

There are several reasons why you should consider buying a second-hand electric car. Whether it's because the initial purchase price is too high or you simply don't want to become locked into a monthly car payment, there are some great reasons for going this route.

At a time when the demand for these vehicles is only going to increase, and supply is already limited, buying a used EV can be a sensible choice.

It's important to note that we aren't advocating buying a second-hand electric car unless you know what you're doing or get help from an experienced person.

What Are the Pros of Buying a Second Hand Electric Car?

tesla car in a solar charging station

Some reasons why buying a pre-owned electric car can actually be a perfectly sensible choice include:

  • It may cost less than new. With the demand for these vehicles increasing and with some manufacturers already having more cars on order than they can deliver, prices will only increase.
  • These cars tend to be easy on their batteries and require very little maintenance. As such, they tend to have lower depreciation rates than regular cars.
  • The market for these vehicles is still quite small, so it may not be as big of a concern as with other pre-owned vehicles. As such, they are not likely to depreciate as fast.

While it certainly does have its share of disadvantages, buying a second-hand electric car can be very beneficial. That being said, you should only do so if you know what you're doing and have someone there who can help you.

What Are the Cons of Investing in a Second Hand Electric Car?

car mechanic fixing car

There are several things you need to be aware of when buying these pre-owned vehicles.

  • When shopping for a second-hand electric car, be sure to check whether it's still under warranty and, if so, how much time is left on it. If it isn't, you need to find out the transfer fee.
  • Look for any damage to the battery since this can be quite expensive to replace. Also, check if there are any recalls on the vehicle and whether they have been performed.

Take these factors into consideration when shopping for a second-hand electric car.

What Considerations Should You Make When Buying a Second-Hand Electric Car?

electric car charging

If you intend to buy one of these cars, make sure to take some precautions.

1. Find Out the Battery Condition

You can only see so much by looking at the body of a car. There are many things you can't see from the outside that could make a used electric vehicle a bad investment. For EVs, the most crucial is the battery. In fact, your biggest investment is the battery. And that's a biggie! So, you want to make sure you're not buying a vehicle with a battery that won't hold a charge.

Related: Electric Cars Aren't As Eco-Friendly As You Think. Here's Why.

Unfortunately, you can't just look at a battery and know how much life it has left in it. A battery could last a few years, or it could last a decade. The best way to know is to test it. If you can't do it yourself, you might have to hire an auto mechanic skilled in electric vehicles to do the testing. Another way to do this is to get the vehicle's service history. Or better still, request to see the car when it's fully charged. Then read what the information on the battery says about its health.

The bottom line is: to make certain to establish the battery state to know if you may need to replace it before proceeding with the transaction.

2. Car Range

Another thing to note before you take the plunge is the car range. Like new cars, used electric vehicles (EVs) are classified according to their range and can be broken down into two groups: long-range and short-range. The earliest EVs are typically short-range, traveling around 90 miles at full charge. On the other hand, long-range EVs can travel between 100-300 miles when fully charged. Tesla Electric cars boast over 370 miles when at full capacity.

electric-car-being-charged-1

Depending on your intended use, a low-range EV could just be right for you. If you commute long distances, an electric car with a long-range is the best option. However, if you're using an EV just for the school run and to pick up groceries, a short-range EV might do the job. Make sure to reflect on the range you need before settling for an electric car.

As the range gets higher, so does the price tag. But it depends on the brands too. The Nissan Leaf, for example, has a range of 124 miles. But the BMW i3, for example, has a range of 114 miles but is slightly more expensive than the Nissan Leaf. There are tips on maximizing your EV range, but it's always best to get one with a good enough range at standard use.

3. Battery Warranty

Almost all new electric cars come with a warranty for the vehicle and a separate one for the battery. A battery warranty covers 100,000 miles or eight years after the first purchase, depending on which comes first. If you're buying a second-hand EV through a private sale, you might want to check if the warranty applies to you. Get the vehicle identification number from the seller, and contact the automaker's customer service to be doubly sure the warranty is transferable to you.

4. Check for Electric Charger and Charge Time

One more thing that you need to check is the charger. This is one of the most important things that you need to look at because if the car has a charger, then you don't need to purchase another, so you can charge your electric car battery at home. With a charger in place, you need only to install a dedicated charging point for your vehicle. The replacement may come at a fair price, especially if you get utility providers that offer some discounts for charging equipment.

It is also essential to check the charging time. Some cars might need up to 20 hours to fully charge their battery, but some might need only a few hours. We have an earlier article covering everything you need to know about electric car charging speeds.

5. Get a Test Drive

Don't be fooled by the exotic look. Get your hands behind the wheel and get a first-hand drive test in your soon-to-be second-hand electric car. While you drive, listen for any unusual noises or vibrations. Check the working condition of the air conditioner. If your chosen model is still in the market, you might want to test drive a new one. This way, you'd know what driving should feel like in your second-hand vehicle.

Where Can You Buy a Used Electric Car?

Shopping for a second-hand electric car is pretty much like shopping for a used petrol car. There are two places to find an electric car that meets your expectations.

The first place is at car dealerships—both new and used car dealers. New car dealerships may offer electric vehicles in their certified pre-owned programs. Buying at such car dealerships, you are almost certain that the vehicles have been carefully inspected before listing them for sale. You will also have a warranty, but it's a used car warranty. So, it might not be as comprehensive.

Related: What Is a Hybrid Car? Here's What You Should Know Before Buying One

To begin your search, try looking up inventories of local dealers online to see what they have.

The second way is to buy a private sale. This is where you buy a car from an individual or small business willing to sell their car to you. You can search for a private sale on websites like eBay or Craigslist.

Be cautious, however, when dealing with these sellers. Don't share your personal information until you are buying and appending your signatures on the car papers.

Purchasing Your First Second-Hand EV

Electric cars are gaining popularity. More so than ever, people are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint, and electric cars are a core part of the solution. With a small budget and careful considerations of factors like battery life, car range, and warranty, you can take a bold step to purchase your second-hand vehicle.

With government and utility providers offering incentives for users, purchasing an electric vehicle (whether as new or used) would be a worthwhile long-term investment.