If you’re in the market to buy an electric vehicle soon, it’s likely tempting to consider a used car or van. After all, the upfront price will be cheaper than investing in a new machine outright. That said, there are a few things you need to consider if you’re serious about buying second-hand over fresh out of the lot.
Let’s break down the pros and cons of buying a used electric car to help you make a decision.
The pros
There are plenty of great reasons to get behind the wheel of a used EV, though not all of them might be too obvious! Here are the biggest pros to prioritise.
It’s cheaper to buy used EVs upfront
This is probably the most obvious benefit – the depreciation of vehicle values over time means you’re always likely to pay less for a used electric car than a brand new one.
It’s a great option if you’re keen to get into the EV game but don’t have access to much finance. If you have too poor a credit rating to borrow money for a new EV, too, buying a used option might be more accessible outright.
It’s more energy efficient
This is a great benefit for buying EVs outright, but it bears repeating for used vehicles. An EV is much kinder to the environment than traditional cars and vans, and you won’t have to worry about spending lots of money on gas.
You’ll simply need to find charging stations instead – which can be a caveat in some ways, but the cost savings are immediate.
It’s a smooth drive
Compared to many used traditional vehicles, second-owned EVs are still likely to offer you a smooth, efficient drive. There’s no combustion engine, making it much quieter and smoother to run – it’s a more refined experience all around when you’re out on the road.
EVs tend to feel more robust on the road thanks to battery placement, too – you’ll notice a marked difference if you’re switching from gas to electric.
Your insurance claims might be cheaper
While your premiums might not change if you buy a used EV, consider how much you might have to pay in excess if you need to make a claim.
A used EV is already depreciated in value compared to a brand new machine, meaning some carriers might not charge you as much for replacement fees if you need to make a switch.
This doesn’t always track, however, so make sure you check any premiums and excess costs your insurance provider offers as part of your policy.
The cons
Unfortunately, for as great as investing in a used EV can be, there are also a few downsides you should keep in mind. Here are a few points to consider before you go ahead and make a purchase.
There will be mileage on the clock
The biggest consideration for most second-hand motorists is how far their purchase has already travelled! For all an EV might seem as good as new and be a smooth drive, there’s still a chance that it’s already travelled hundreds or thousands of miles already. That means it’s likely to have picked up wear and tear.
Be careful to check the condition of any used EVs you intend to buy – otherwise, you could end up making a costly mistake.
The battery might be diminished
There’s always going to be a performance drop over time when it comes to battery performance. Therefore, when you buy a used EV, you can expect its battery to have already seen some action.
If your EV battery degrades by up to 5% every year, say, the older the machine, the closer the battery will be to burning out. Consider carefully the age of your machine and its various parts.
Technology might be outdated
Think carefully about technology, too. When you buy a used EV, there’s a risk that the technology it uses might get outdated within a few years. There’s that risk when you buy any EV – but the older the model you buy, the quicker it’ll go obsolete.
So, think carefully about buying used – is it more important to you that you buy an electric car that stands up to modern technology standards and supports you for the years ahead?
If so, you might do better investing in a brand new machine. However, there are still tons of great benefits to buying a used EV – and, here at Island Motors, we’ll connect you to a pre-owned machine that’s worth every penny.