Generally, a used electric car is a relatively reliable vehicle. However, this does not relieve you of having to do certain checks before embarking on its acquisition. Indeed, the electric car is attracting an increasingly large public. But with a high purchase price for new, many motorists prefer to turn to the second-hand market. An excellent opportunity, provided you go about it the right way… We take stock in this article!
Pay attention to the battery
If you are wondering which second-hand electric car to choose, make your choice based on your needs in terms of space on board, number of seats or trunk volume. But in any case, you need to check its main organ, that is, the lithium-ion battery.
Like the majority of electric car owners, you will charge your vehicle from your home or workplace. Thus, at the time of sale, it is imperative that the seller provide at least one charging cable and in some cases several, for fast charging for example. If unfortunately it does not, you will have to refer to the manufacturer or the supplier in order to acquire these precious cables.
But it is an element that should alert you, because how can the seller recharge his vehicle if he does not have this equipment on the used car he wants to sell?
Then you must check the condition of the battery in relation to its age and the number of kilometers announced. Let’s say you want to buy a used Nissan Leaf electric car with 100,000 km on the clock and five years old. It is impossible for the battery to have the same level of autonomy as it left the factory. If so, move on, the seller is not honest in his ad.
In fact, it is difficult to know the precise state of the battery, unless you have the possibility of carrying out various tests. That is to say, to drive for a necessary period of time and over a long distance with the battery charged. The information you will collect is to be compared with the data directly provided by the manufacturer at the time of marketing. Then consider removing 20% battery life to set the actual value.
Once you have been able to perform this calculation, all you have to do is compare it with what you observed on the vehicle. But do not forget that after several years of use, the autonomy initially announced will be lower, the battery degrading naturally over the charges and discharges.
Another possibility is to issue a battery health certificate. Indeed, some companies have developed a specific box that plugs into the car’s OBD socket. Then, the data is sent to the company and it establishes a certificate allowing to know precisely the health of the battery of the electric car.
This is a particularly valuable document, whether on the buyer’s or seller’s side. Indeed, it is an additional argument for the seller to guarantee the reliability of his vehicle and sell it at the right price. For the buyer, it is a way of reassuring him with a reliable and independent analysis.
Check used electric car wear parts
Before buying a used electric car, another check is necessary, this time at the level of wearing parts. This is a traditional check as you can do on a thermal vehicle.
Check the quality of the brakes, the wiper blades or the tires. Continue your investigations by checking the serial number directly written on the registration card and the one present on the vehicle. It is also this same verification at the registration level.
Other checks are necessary such as ensuring that the technical control is up to date and that the vehicle is not pledged. To do this, it’s very simple! Go to the HistoVec government site to obtain a non-pledge certificate as well as additional information on the gray card.
If the maintenance book is present, do not hesitate to take a look at it to follow the regular maintenance of the car.
Is it risky to buy a used electric car?
Wondering how to properly buy a used electric car? First, you must check the elements mentioned above. This will give you a great starting point, but be aware that the market is full of great deals.
Indeed, you will be able to access perfectly affordable vehicles without delivery delays, as is currently the case if you buy a new model. But to avoid unpleasant surprises, you can’t rush headlong into the first electric car offer you spotted.
If this is the case, you are exposing yourself to potential major defects, whether in terms of the engine, wearing parts or the lithium-ion battery. However, if you have to change the battery of your vehicle, be aware that this represents a significant budget.
In conclusion
The second-hand electric car market is an excellent opportunity to reduce CO2 emissions and save money in use. But don’t forget to do all the necessary checks and if in doubt, it’s always better to abstain.