A used car expert has given an essential tip before purchasing a second-hand electric vehicle.
Failing to check the car’s range, especially in cold weather, can significantly reduce driving distance and lead to costly repairs, as low temperatures slow battery efficiency and increase energy needed for heating, defrosting and compensating for low tire pressure.
Martin Miller from the used electric vehicle dealership EV Experts has partnered with MOTORS in order to share advice for Brits looking to buy a second-hand electric car this winter.
He said: “To check the car’s range, start by asking your dealer to fully charge the car.
“While it’s being charged, visit the online EV database and find the real-world range that the car should achieve. Once fully charged, the car’s actual range should come close to aligning with the real-world range listed on the EV database.”
He said that the next on your check list should be taking the car out on a test drive.
The expert said: “Providing it is, reset the trip meter and take the car out for a test drive.
“The range should decrease by the distance you’ve travelled. For example, if you go for a 20-mile drive, the meter should go down by 20 miles.
“If it doesn’t, you need to ask some questions as this signifies there could be an underlying issue with the battery.”
Steven Edwards, motoring editor of MOTORS, said: “With a record number of used battery electric vehicles (BEVs) being purchased last quarter, it is evident there’s a growing demand for EVs in the second-hand market.
“While many people are familiar with the essential checks they must carry out before buying a petrol or diesel car, this often isn’t the case for used EVs.
“We want to empower those making the switch to go electric to make educated buying decisions and assessing the range of a vehicle is an integral part of this.”
Despite the cost of most electric cars falling dramatically, getting an EV battery replaced can be a particularly expensive experience.
In June 2024, the mechanic booking service BookMyGarage estimated that a replacement battery pack for would cost motorists an average of £7,235 before labour costs.
