Buying a used EV can be good value, but the battery is the most expensive component and its condition matters more than almost anything else. Here is how to check it.
1. Ask for a battery health report
Battery health is often expressed as state of health (SoH): the battery's current usable capacity compared with when it was new. Many cars show this in a menu, through an app, or via a service centre diagnostic report. Ask the seller for a recent report from an authorised service centre.
2. Check the warranty
Many manufacturers give EV batteries a long warranty, often covering a number of years or kilometres and a minimum capacity. Check whether the warranty is still valid, whether it transfers to a new owner, and what capacity it guarantees.
3. Review service and charging history
- Service records from authorised centres.
- Software updates applied.
- Any battery repairs or replacements.
- How the car was usually charged, if the seller knows.
4. Test drive and range check
- Charge the car fully and note the estimated range, then compare with similar cars.
- Watch the battery level during a test drive for sudden drops.
- Check for warning lights and error messages.
- If possible, test a fast charging session to confirm it works.
5. Inspect physically
Check the charging port for damage, look under the car for signs of impact to the battery pack, and ask whether the car has ever been in a flood.
| Good signs | Warning signs |
|---|---|
| Recent SoH report from an authorised centre | No battery report available |
| Valid, transferable battery warranty | Expired or void warranty |
| Regular service history | Gaps in service records |
| Range close to similar cars | Much lower range than expected |
Some loss of capacity with age is normal. What matters is how much, and whether the warranty still protects you.