by There have been plenty of headlines recently about the drop in second hand values of electric cars. That’s bad news if you’ve recently bought a new one, but if you want a second-hand electric car, perhaps as a second car or even your main car, it might just be music to your ears, because – as a result – EVs are currently used. cheaper than ever.
But there is still a perception among much of the buying public that EVs are expensive to buy at any time – even though the reality is that there are plenty of great electric cars now available for under £20,000, and usually substantially, without exposing you to. the potential dangers of the banger end of the market.
And while battery degradation is always a concern with a used EV, these cars are still new enough to have nearly all of their original battery capacity left; some even come with part of their manufacturer’s warranty still to run.
So if you’re looking to dip a toe into the electric car pool, but don’t want to shell out for a brand new one, these are the models to do it.
Best used budget EV: Volkswagen e-Golf (2014-2020)
With the rise of Volkswagen’s first dedicated EV, the ID.3, the older e-Golf has been forgotten, but is now a great value. The early examples, with the smaller 24kWh battery pack, are the cheapest, and are likely to manage 60-70 real-life miles between charges, making them best suited as run around urban or as a commuter.
Later examples don’t cost that much more, though, and their 36kWh battery pack provides a more usable real-world range of around 115 miles. DC charging is still relatively slow by modern standards, peaking at 40kW, but that’s still enough to allow a 10 to 80 percent charge in just over half an hour.
Additionally, there are early signs that VW’s reduction in battery capacity over time is very low. As part of a Geotab survey of 6,000 electric cars, the e-Golf recorded one of the lowest rates of battery degradation, with around 96 percent of original capacity remaining after three years. And on top of that, the e-Golf has been repeatedly rated as one of the most reliable electric cars in follow-up reliability surveys. So it’s a brilliant used EV to buy.
The best thing about the Golf, however, is its relative normality. Away from its powertrain, it looks and feels just like a Mk7 Golf petrol or diesel automatic – with all the practicality, quality and comfort that comes with it. As a result, we reckon it’s worth the extra over the only other EV of the same size and price – the first-generation Nissan Leaf.
Price to pay: from £8,000
We got: e-Golf 2018 36kWh, 61,000 miles, full service history, £10,500
Need to know: Although the e-Golf rates very well for reliability, some early production examples suffered from electrical issues with the battery control module; unrelated, extended use in ECO+ mode may drain the 12 volt battery.
Best used EV for fun: Mini Electric (2020-2023)
When Mini set out to create an electric car, it knew it had to maintain the brand’s reputation for being fun to drive. Happily, the Mini Electric is one of the most entertaining EVs, with a giggle-inducing driving experience that offers far more emotion and feedback than most.
And the Mini Electric doesn’t just feel good when you’re on the move. Like petrol and diesel powered Minis, its cheeky styling, retro interior and wide variety of paint and trim finishes mean it’s fun to look at and be in, even at rest. It comes with an excellent reliability record, too, having topped the table for electric cars in 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey.
Granted, the Mini Electric isn’t the best choice here if practicality is your primary need. It only comes in three-door form, and the rear seats are tight, so loading your offspring into child seats is a bit of a faff. The boot is also tiny, and the real-world electric range of around 110 miles isn’t huge. But if you’re after an urban run that will make you smile, the Mini is hard to beat.
Price to pay: from £12,000
We got: 2020 Mini Electric Level 1, 30,000 miles, full service history, £12,495
Need to know: Some Minis have been known to have occasional electrical glitches, caused by short circuits in the wiring loop. These are not easy to look for but, once found, are often easy to correct.
Best for comfort: Citroën ë-C4 (2020-present)
The extra weight of a battery makes EVs more inclined to roll when negotiating corners; To combat this, many manufacturers like to fit stiffer suspensions, which makes electric cars feel quite bumpy.
Not Citroën, however. The French marque’s stated aim is to prioritize comfort and as part of that it has ensured that the suspension in the ë-C4 is as smooth as possible. Combined with the “Advanced Comfort” seats that are standard on the top models, the result is an EV that does a great job of isolating bumps from your back.
But doesn’t that mean it’s all over the place? Well, it’s true that the ë-C4 isn’t as precise or tight as its electric rivals – but it doesn’t go to pieces in the hips either, with its surprisingly well-controlled body and plenty of grip. And with a hatchback boot and five spacious seats, it’s a practical family car, too.
Price to pay: from £14,000
We got: 2022 Citroën ë-C4 Shine 50kWh, 18,000 miles, £14,999
Need to know: The entry-level Sense and Sense Plus versions are pretty thinly equipped, and don’t offer enough of a discount compared to the extra Shine version to make them worthwhile.
Best for ease of use: Tesla Model 3 (2019-2024)
There’s a reason the Model 3 is one of the best-selling electric cars in the UK, and it’s not just the brand’s forward-thinking public image.
Get on board and there is no start button. As long as you have the key card in your pocket, you just need to select “Drive”, press the accelerator to go and press the brake to stop. It’s that easy.
All the car’s controls are in the huge central touchscreen so it can be a bit fiddly to navigate your way around. But with that exception, using the Model 3 is a doddle. And most importantly, so is charging.
Simply roll up at a Tesla Supercharger and connect your car. The two will communicate, initiate the charge and bill your account – no faffing around with apps or cards. Mind you, given the Model 3’s long range—even the Standard Range Plus can reach about 195 miles on a charge in real life—you shouldn’t need to use a Supercharger too often.
Price to pay: from £17,500
We got: 2019 Model 3 Standard Range Plus, 33,000 miles, full service history, £19,995
Look out for: The Model 3 is better built than the larger Model S, in general, but early cars still suffered from quality glitches, so carefully inspect panel gaps and look for telltale signs of issues like condensation in light units or error messages on the screen.
Best of all (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 neat handling made it a no-brainer for those looking for a modestly priced EV as their next family car.
Those attributes still hold true and with values having fallen recently, the e-Niro can now be had for sensible sums on the used market.
Don’t forget that the e-Niro is also covered by Kia’s seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty – and since it was introduced in 2019, that means every e-Niro will still have at least two years of warranty the manufacturer. left.
At this price, the e-Niro is a great deal, which is why it’s our best among the EVs currently in use.
Price to pay: from £15,000
We got: 2019 e-Niro First Edition 64kWh, 21,000 miles, full service history, £16,450
Need to know: Standard 12 volt batteries can be a bit weak, so drain easily, especially if the ignition is left on when the car is not running – a faulty starter switch can also drain the battery.
…and the used electric car to avoid: Vauxhall Mokka E (2020-present)
On the face of it, the Mokka E is a cracking electric car. It looks good, drives nicely and has plenty all around, which has helped keep values down, making it quite affordable by EV standards.
But there are problems. For starters, its rear seats are more cramped than those of rivals such as the Kia e-Niro. The boot is smaller, too.
But the bigger issue is that the Mokka E is developing a reputation for sub-par reliability. It came out as the least reliable electric car in the 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey with a shocking 61 percent score. Owners’ internet forums support that stance, replete with stories of electrical mishaps, charging issues, range falling well below expected levels and even cars dying without warning on the side of the road, which leaving owners stranded.
The Mokka E’s reliability may improve with the arrival of the new powertrain in 2024 – but for now, its poor reliability record means these earlier cars are best avoided.
