A comfortable small EV with a modern interior.
Watch out for: Range is modest, so make sure it suits your journeys. Check the charging cables are included.
6. Vauxhall Corsa Electric
A familiar small car in electric form, cheap to run.
Watch out for: Check battery health and that the charging cables are included.
Fun to drive and a good second car for town.
Watch out for: The range is short, so it suits local driving. Check battery health.
What to check on a used EV
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Battery health: ask for a battery health report, check the range shown when fully charged and compare it with what the car should do.
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Charging: test the car on a charger, and check the charging cables come with the car.
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Battery warranty: many EVs have a separate battery warranty. Check whether any remains.
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Tyres: EVs are heavy and can wear tyres faster, so check the tread.
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Finance and history: EVs are often bought on finance or leased, so run a finance check and check the history. Checks to run before you buy any of these
A good model can still be a bad car. Whatever you pick from this list, the history of the individual car matters more than the badge.
1.
Run the registration through a free vehicle check and make sure the make, model, colour and year match the advert. 2.
Read the MOT history for mileage that rises steadily and for advisories that keep coming back. See how to check MOT history. 3.
Check for outstanding finance, write-off and stolen markers with a full report before you pay anything.
4.
Match the V5C to the seller and to the VIN on the car. Our V5C guide shows what to look at. 5.
Take our free used car checklist to the viewing so you do not miss anything on the test drive. Frequently Asked Questions
Is a used electric car worth buying? It can be, especially if you can charge at home. Check the battery health and the real-world range for your journeys.
How long do EV batteries last? Most are designed to last many years, and many come with a separate battery warranty. Battery health varies by car, so check it on the one you are buying.
What is the cheapest used EV? Older Nissan Leafs are usually the cheapest, but they have a shorter range and the battery health needs checking carefully.
Can I check a used EV’s history? Yes. A vehicle history check covers finance, write-off and stolen records for electric cars just like petrol and diesel cars.
Which CarVerified report covers this?
The cars on this list are popular, which also makes them common on finance and common in insurance write-off records. Silver Plus adds the finance check, and Gold is the most complete report.
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Free check: start with the free vehicle check for the make, model, colour, year and MOT and tax status. •
Silver: the core vehicle history check. Finance is not part of Silver, but it can be unlocked separately. •
Silver Plus: adds the outstanding finance check, which matters on any car that may have been bought on PCP or HP. •
Gold: the most complete report, adding ex-taxi, salvage and valuation checks. See all our lists in best used cars UK, or go straight to the best used cars under £5,000, best used cars under £10,000, best first cars under £5,000, best automatic cars under £10,000, best family cars under £15,000, best reliable diesel cars, best reliable petrol cars, best used hybrid cars.