Compare the best used electric cars

High quality electric cars from rated and reviewed dealers
Rated 4.5/5 from 61,527 reviews

Best second-hand electric cars in the UK in 2024

The car world is turning electric. There are plenty of sound reasons to make the switch, whether you’re concerned about local pollution, the wider environmental impact of petrol and diesel cars, or simply find the idea of lower running costs appealing.

There’s no getting away from the fact that new electric cars are pricey, though. Fortunately, the electric revolution is now in full swing and there are plenty more affordable examples to be found on the used market. Here are 10 of the best.

Tesla Model 3
2024
Outstanding EV Award

1. Tesla Model 3

9/10
Tesla Model 3 review
Battery range up to 436 miles
In the world of electric cars, no brand has the badge appeal of Tesla, with the excellent Model 3 the pick of its range. It might be the cheapest Tesla you can buy new, but it still feels pretty special inside, with its massive central display and minimalist design, though build quality is a long way off other premium brands.

Access to the Supercharger network, which owners regularly vote as the best charging network in the country, is another bonus. There are also ludicrously fast Performance versions, but even the lower-powered models are properly quick with an impressive range of around 250 miles. You could also consider the more practical Tesla Model Y, though because it’s newer used prices haven’t dropped too far yet.
Kia e-Niro

2. Kia Niro EV

8/10
Kia e-Niro review
Battery range up to 282 miles
With the Kia Niro EV covered by a seven-year, transferable warranty, every example on sale now will still be covered. They hold their value well so don’t expect huge savings over buying new, but you shouldn’t lose much to depreciation if you do buy one.

Don’t let the badge put you off, either. Kia has been knocking out some excellent cars in recent years, and the Niro EV is a perfect example of this. It’s well made inside and out, while also being one of the most efficient EVs you can buy, particularly on the motorway. Good to know with energy prices on the rise…
Hyundai Kona Electric (2018-2023)

3. Hyundai Kona Electric

8/10
Hyundai Kona Electric (2018-2023) review
Battery range up to 301 miles
Much like the Kia Niro EV (with which it shares much of its mechanical gubbins), the Hyundai Kona Electric is a great value proposition when new, which translates well to the used market. Again, it holds its value well so there aren’t huge savings to be had, but you shouldn’t be hit too hard by depreciation and its five-year warranty means many used models are still covered. It has a great driving position, impressive range between charges and a well-built cabin, but it’s not the most practical option.
Tesla Model S

4. Tesla Model S

8/10
Tesla Model S review
Battery range up to 396 miles
The Model 3 might be stealing the headlines these days, but it was the Model S that really put Tesla on the map. Here was the first premium electric saloon, years before the likes of BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz offered the same.

Early examples are now less than the cost of a new Model 3 and still feel posh and modern inside. The only caveat is that build quality is poor on many of these examples, so you need to go over the bodywork and interior fittings to make sure everything is well put together. It’s also worth noting that pre-2017 cars have free access to the Supercharger network, which could represent huge savings each year.
Nissan Leaf

5. Nissan Leaf

6/10
Nissan Leaf review
Battery range up to 239 miles
While many people consider the Tesla Model 3 and Model S to be electric vehicle game-changers, it would be unfair to overlook the Nissan Leaf in this discussion. Similar to the Zoe, it helped bring electric motoring to the masses through more affordable pricing than had typically been seen.

As one of the most popular EVs of the last decade, there are plenty of great examples to pick from in the used market. Budget allowing, you’re best going for the latest generation, introduced in 2017. The styling is less gawky and the batteries go further, particularly if you opt for the longer range e+ version that came along in 2019.
Renault Zoe

6. Renault Zoe

8/10
Renault Zoe review
Battery range up to 245 miles
With the Renault Zoe having been on sale since 2013, there are plenty of used examples to pick from, meaning early models are looking seriously affordable now. It’s small, so is best-suited to those who travel short distances in the city and don’t need much space for passengers and luggage.

It’s much more fun than your average petrol-powered city car, too, thanks to its nippy electric motor. If you’re looking at the cheapest Zoes, you can expect a range of less than 100 miles, but up your budget to the latest models and you can see more than 200 miles between top ups. Impressive for such a small car.

Early Zoes had a battery rental option, which starts at £49 per month. This is an extra expense you’ll have to pay, but it does mean if the battery capacity drops over time, you can replace it for free.
Jaguar I-PACE

7. Jaguar I-PACE

8/10
Jaguar I-PACE review
Battery range up to 291 miles
The Jaguar I-Pace has been on sale for a while now, but it’s no less head-turning than when it first came onto the market. Used examples are easy to find too, and at a major discount compared with new examples.

It’s another one of those EVs that burst onto the scene before being rather forgotten about. But we’re here to remind the world that this is a smart SUV that stands out from the crowd, while also being practical enough to offer a range in excess of 200 miles.

That said, owners have reported a drop in battery capacity to about 80% by 50,000 miles, but an eight-year battery warranty should keep your mind at ease.
BMW i3

8. BMW i3

8/10
BMW i3 review
Battery range up to 188 miles
If you’re looking for something that will stand out on the road, you can’t go wrong with a BMW i3. Despite being on sale since 2013, it’s still a striking-looking thing — and a great driving EV at that. Early examples had limited range, but as an affordable way to cover short town journeys you could do a lot worse.

The funky styling continues on the inside, which is more spacious than you’d expect from a car of this size. It looks and feels expensive, too. It’s a real shame the i3 was not the sales success it perhaps deserved to be, meaning used examples are a little trickier to come by than other cars in this list.

Between 2013 and 2018 the i3 was also available with a range extender version, which used the same motors and battery as the all-electric model with the addition of a small petrol engine to keep the battery topped up.
Peugeot e-208

9. Peugeot e-208

8/10
Peugeot e-208 review
Battery range up to 254 miles
Small electric cars have to have a small range, right? Wrong. Peugeot has managed to fit quite a big battery in the e-208 and, coupled with being pretty efficient, means an official range of 220 miles. Decent. The e-208 also looks cool and has a premium-feeling interior, but rear seat space in particular is quite cramped.
Volkswagen e-Golf

10. Volkswagen e-Golf

7/10
Volkswagen e-Golf review
Battery range up to 144 miles
Whatever your car buying needs, the Volkswagen Golf is probably on your shopping list. It does everything well while also managing to feel pretty premium without costing the Earth, so it’s no surprise to see the electric version – sold between 2014 and 2020 – on this list.

It’s spacious, practical and packed with traditional Volkswagen build quality, which all ensure that the VW e-Golf is worthy of consideration. With a real-world range of around 125 miles it’s ideal for zipping around town, but there’s no escaping the fact most alternatives will go significantly further on a charge.

Sell your car for what it's really worth

The free, easy way to get 5,500+ dealers all over the UK bidding on your car

Browse all electric cars

  •  

     
  •  

     
  •  

     

Advice about used electric cars

Used and second hand electric cars FAQ

Let’s start with all the usual used car stuff, such as going around the car’s exterior and interior looking for any damage and leaning towards examples with full service histories.

Electric vehicles tend to be comparatively heavy, and as a result can use tyres more quickly, so be sure to double check the rubber has a good amount of tread left. Also check with the owner what charging cables are supplied, as these can be expensive to replace. Research the battery warranty that comes with the vehicle, too. Some cover more than others, for example with the level of battery depletion that is deemed acceptable.

Speaking of which, battery degradation has long been a concern with EVs. All batteries, whether in a car or a smartphone, will lose capacity over time, and in the case of a car that means less range as they get older. Studies show that degradation shouldn’t impact range too much over the life of a vehicle, but when test driving older cars in particular, take a look at the battery’s state of charge and the predicted range on the display. If this is considerably lower than you’d expect when new it might be worth questioning the owner or simply walking away.

Generally electric vehicles are more reliable than a typical petrol or diesel car, so there shouldn’t be any concerns in that regard.

However, it’s important to consider how you plan to use the vehicle. If you drive quite a bit, it would be a good idea to avoid cars with low battery range, otherwise you’ll constantly be charging. This might be less of an issue if you can easily charge at home overnight, but will be more problematic if you rely on public chargers.

For pure low cost electric motoring, the Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe are two of the cheapest electric cars you can buy. The former is arguably the more appealing of the two, being a bit more practical.

If your budget can stretch to it, the MG ZS EV is also great value. Being the lowest cost electric SUV when new means that used prices also represent great value for money.

A used electric vehicle can make for an excellent purchase for those looking to cut their emissions and lower their running costs. However, it’s important to note that your money will almost always go further in a petrol or diesel vehicle – whether that means you’ll get a newer, more spacious or better-equipped model.

Electric cars are in-demand so prices are strong, which is good for avoiding big depreciation but can make it trickier to justify making the switch. But bear in mind the savings on running costs, including fuel itself, plus servicing, congestion and low-emission zones and Vehicle Excise Duty.

A used electric car can be any age, but the modern electric car revolution started around 2010 with the introduction of the Nissan Leaf. Most cheap electric cars will be from this era, but will typically be very low on range. Batteries degrade over time, so higher mileage models in particular might have lost some of their capacity, which is worth bearing in mind. However, concerns over this being a big problem have not turned out to be true.

Used electric car prices are currently quite high because there is a lot of demand in the market. New EVs tend to be more expensive than an equivalent petrol or diesel car anyway, which also affects used values. Prices will come down eventually, as more new cars are sold and then enter the used market so supply matches demand. However, it’s not entirely clear when EVs will hit similar prices to petrol and diesel models.