Used electric cars in 2026: Is it finally time to buy?

You can pick up a used electric vehicle for decent money now, but are you getting a reliable enough car for anything more than a second car or local runaround?
Second-hand electric cars are a big business these days. We recorded nearly a billion visits (981.9m) over 2025, and saw demand for used electric vehicles on our platform rising 28% compared to 2024. Within that, used electric cars accounted for over one in seven enquiries for used cars under five years old. They also sold faster than any other fuel type, so if you have an electric car you’re looking to sell – you have an audience right here.

• Battery health matters: electric car batteries degrade slowly and usually come with healthy warranties but check battery condition before buying.
• Used electric car supply is growing: More models are available on the market from a huge range of brands. • Prices can be low: Used electric cars can start under £5,000, though cheaper models often have shorter range and older tech. • Check the basics: Look at service history, charging cables/port, tyres, brakes and overall condition – just like any used car. • Running costs differ: electric vars typically have lower servicing costs but insurance may be slightly higher and public charging can be expensive.

Let’s start with the questions you’ll need to ask yourself, and ask of your car, to work out whether it’s right for you: will the battery need replacing? Does the charging cable work? How do I test drive it? How much does it cost to insure? That sort of thing.
Then consider how many miles you drive. The average UK car journey is about eight and a half miles, which most electric cars can handle. But if you often take longer trips, choose a car with a bigger range. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) could be another option as they take some of the range anxiety out of the situation.

Electric cars generally prove cheap to charge, efficient, and better for our overall air quality.
Used electric cars tend to be more affordable than new ones, and you can find a reasonably priced electric car that is less than five years old without much difficulty.

There are downsides, though.
Older electric cars with bigger batteries take longer to charge, and will need charging more often, so you may spend a fair amount of time at charging points unless you’re doing it at home. Your other running costs can add up too. Insurance is often higher (you can get a free insurance quote here), and while electric cars are cheaper to service, they can be more expensive to fix should something go wrong.

The reliability of a car depends on its make and condition, though the reliability score can give you a general idea.
Studies show electric vehicles are reliable, with fewer breakdowns than petrol or diesel cars. The batteries typically last 10-15 years or over 150,000 miles and many brands offer an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty. Check whether the warranty is transferable after a sale. That said, common issues include software glitches, charging port failures, and worn cables. We’d recommend getting a vehicle history check to confirm the car’s make, model and battery capacity, and other key information.

There’s a lot of anxiety about battery life, but plenty of studies have found electric batteries last a long time.
Battery health specialists Generational recently analysed over 8,000 batteries from pure electric and plug-in hybrids vehicles, and found the average battery health was 95 per cent across all vehicles tested. The analysis included vehicles up to 12 years old with up to 160,000 miles on the clock, and found mileage was not a reliable predictor of battery health, as vehicles with over 100,000 miles often returned battery health between 88 and 95 per cent.

Batteries typically degrade gradually with repeated charging cycles, so heavy charging can result in a battery that needs charging more often.
Having said that, electric car batteries can be used for several years. Most modern lithium-ion batteries are expected to last the lifespan of the vehicle, and many brands also offer an eight-year warranty on the battery alone. So, even if you do face issues, you’ll be covered in most instances.

There are several ways to test electric car battery health, including:
• battery diagnostics on a manufacturer-specific app (e.g. Nissan Leaf’s Leaf Spy) • estimating battery duration on a test drive, by seeing how much the battery level drops on your drive • using a battery testing kit - if your battery health check says the battery health is below 85%, request a discount. For more detail, you can learn more about battery health checks here.

There are more options on the used electric car market than ever. Some of the fastest-selling used electric cars over the past 12 months on Autotrader include:
• Vauxhall Mokka-e • Mercedes-Benz EQB • Peugeot E-208 • Vauxhall Corsa-e • Tesla Model Y • MG MG4 • Kia Niro • Tesla Model 3 • MG ZS • Volkswagen ID.5

You can find used electric cars on Autotrader for less than £5,000. You not guaranteed the best range or tech for that money, but it could make a decent run around or second car if you’re looking to try electric out for size.
Though still pricier than petrol and diesel cars, many used electric cars are cheaper than their counterparts and are selling faster, especially those three to five years old.

Much like a second-hand petrol or diesel, the best used electric car is the one that gives you the best value for money and best fits your driving style.
Finding the best one can take time, but that’s what we’re here for! Start with a list what you want and need from your car: your average mileage, your proximity to charging points, your daily drives. Add in your budget, then find the car that ticks the most boxes. You can use our expert reviews to see how the cars tested on the road, and see what they’re like to live with in our long-term reviews. You can learn more about electric cars, the latest releases, the charging infrastructure and the latest news in our electric hub.

Checking a second-hand electric car is similar to a second-hand petrol or diesel – you’ll need to check:
• The V5C registration and service history • Condition of the bodywork, brakes and wheels • The interior, tech and fittings – especially the electrical equipment • The condition of any cables and leads, and of the charging socket Take a test drive and listen for any unusual noises or rattles. Electric cars are quieter than petrol or diesel, so question anything that seems unusual. Here’s our guide to test driving an electric car.

Running a used electric car involves all the usual obligations and costs, including MOT, servicing, insurance, breakdown cover and the rest. To help you budget before you buy, here are the top things you need to know:

From 1 April 2025, electric car owners will be required to pay Band B VED – which is an annual cost of £10 in the first year and £180 in subsequent years under 2024-2025 tax rates. This will be backdated, so used electric cars will have to pay tax too.

Yes, all cars aged three and over (including electric cars) need an annual MOT.
A standard electric vehicle MOT will check that: • Steering, tyres, wheel and suspension all work correctly • Brake pads and discs are in good condition • Windscreens aren’t compromised by chips or cracks • Lights, wipers and other features all work • Rust hasn’t set in on any structural areas or mounting points for suspension, seatbelts or similar The only difference is that electric vehicle MOTs don’t need an emissions test.

Beyond the purchase price, you need to consider some additional ownership costs:
• Insurance: On average, electric vehicles insurance costs are 10-20% higher than petrol cars due to expensive battery repairs. • Maintenance and repairs: While electric vehicles require less routine maintenance (no oil changes, fewer moving parts), battery replacements can be costly. • Charging costs: Home charging can cost as little as 5p per mile, whereas rapid public charging can cost anything up to £1 per kWh. • Charging network subscriptions: Some public charging network providers require monthly fees, so factor these into long-term costs.