Best Used EVs for less than £20,000

The used electric car market can feel like a bit of an unknown, mainly because it’s so new; the first mass-market EV, the Nissan Leaf, only arrived in 2010. But in little over a decade we’ve seen huge progress in the development of electric cars. With virtually every new release, battery capacity and electric car range goes up, bodystyle choice gets wider, prices come down relative to similar petrol and diesel cars, and more drivers switch to electric power. It means that there’s already a hugely diverse and appealing set of used EVs on the market. With a £20,000 budget you’ll easily be able to find something that fits your needs - a car that’s spacious, modern, cheap to run and packed with tech. Here are five great pre-loved electric cars to consider.

If you’re after something sensible and spacious, with good battery range and all the high-riding convenience of an SUV body shape, a used Kia E-Niro is a phenomenal buy. It’s arguably the least exciting thing on our list, but the value it offers is astonishing - and you have a lot of options with £20,000. You could get a higher mileage top-spec First Edition with a 64kWh battery - good for a 283-mile claimed range. Or, if you can live with a smaller battery and lower spec, a newer and lower mileage 39kWh version can be yours. Either way, you’ll still be well within Kia’s brilliant seven-year warranty.

It follows that one of the lowest priced new EVs on sale is also one of the best value used buys. But the main appeal of a used Fiat 500 Electric isn’t how much (or little) it costs - it’s one of the best city cars on sale, full stop. The cabin quality and the driving position are much improved over the petrol Fiat 500, and electric power makes it feel much nippier around town. Two battery choices mean you can choose to spend less money if you don’t need big range, but for less than £20,000 both options are available. The 24kWh version claims 118 miles, and the 42kWh version 199 miles. The latter is more convenient, of course, but a very low mileage (delivery mileage in some cases), showroom condition 24kWh example could be yours for this money.

Used Volkswagen ID.3 models are dropping below £20,000 now, which is a whole lot of electric car for a very reasonable outlay. Volkswagen has offered a wide range of trim, battery and power options for the car since it launched in 2020, but at this price you’re probably looking at a 58kWh battery model - a bigger battery is available. It should be enough though, with a 264-mile single charge rating (around 200 miles in real life), while all trim levels are well-equipped. Every ID.3 gets touchscreen infotainment, climate control and wireless phone charging, and generally it’s a very spacious and pleasant-to-drive family hatchback.

The e-C4 is already looking like amazing value as a used buy. It’s only three years old (released mid-2020) but used Citroen e-C4 models are hitting the market with low mileages and big discounts. We found a top-of-the-range Shine Plus model on a 71 plate with only 7,000 miles on the clock for a shade under £20,000. That’s about £15,000 less than its list price. It’s a really appealing car, too, with all the Citroen hallmarks of soft, comfortable ride quality, unusual styling and a quirky cabin, yet with the added refinement of a silent electric drivetrain. Plus the battery range is decent (217 miles quoted) and the running costs are cheap. Well worth a look.

This is the wildcard. Tesla’s first mass-market EV is a decade old now, but it still looks fantastic inside and out. It’s still not possible to get a Model 3 for less than £20,000, but a used Tesla Model S will give you more space and prestige, and the performance feels staggering. It’s not a risk-free option because at this money you’re looking at a high-mileage car that’s seven-to eight years old, and Tesla reliability can be hit and miss. But you might feel it a risk worth taking for something this quick, quiet and exotic.
If you need more inspiration, why not take a look at our list of the best electric cars, or find out more about how to charge an electric car with our helpful guide.