Second Hand Electric Cars

greenmotorist

What are the most critical factors to evaluate when assessing the long-term reliability and value retention of second-hand electric vehicles (EVs) compared to new models? Specifically, I'm interested in best practices for battery health assessment, implications of degraded range, software update roadblocks, and access to manufacturer warranties or official service networks for pre-owned EVs. Information on how different OEMs manage battery replacement costs and continued support for older models would also be appreciated.

electrojourney

One thing I’d add—when checking a used EV, see if the manufacturer allows transfer of things like DC fast charging eligibility or battery warranty to the new owner; some brands limit this (Nissan’s “no battery warranty transfer” for the early Leaf is infamous). Also, try to get the car’s update history, since missed software updates can brick certain features on older Teslas and VWs. It's super helpful if there's a service record showing regular battery and software checks!