Best used electric cars
High quality electric cars from rated and reviewed dealers
Best second-hand electric cars in the UK in 2025
Brand-new electric cars often cost many thousands of pounds more than their petrol or hybrid counterparts. So what’s the solution? Well, buy a used one, of course! Depreciation on electric cars - the amount of value they lose over their lifetime - is steep, but what makes their original owners grit their teeth is actually fantastic for you as a used EV buyer, as it means more choice for less money.
And, with a few exceptions, you really don’t need to worry too much about buying a used electric car. You’ll hear horror stories about expensive replacement batteries and defective electrics - but the truth is, now that they’ve been somewhat mainstream for over a decade, EVs are proving to be pretty reliable beasts. They’re not perfect, but generally battery failure or extreme degradation is a rare occurrence - and car manufacturers all provide long warranties against this anyway.
And there are some real benefits to buying a used electric car over a petrol or diesel model of a similar price. First, there’s performance. Even small, cheap electric cars such as a Vauxhall Corsa-e offer instant acceleration and are very nippy around town - larger, more powerful ones such as the Porsche Taycan are positively rapid.
They’re also automatic by design, with no clutch or gearbox to worry about - many used automatic cars require expensive gearbox maintenance. If you want to or need to drive a two-pedal car, an EV is ideal.
Then there’s the possibility of reducing your running costs substantially. Electric cars are exempt from low-emission zone charges as well as London’s congestion charge. Plus, if you have the ability to charge your car at home overnight, using cheaper electricity rates, you could travel for pennies per mile. If you’re lucky enough to have solar panels, even better. The gap does narrow if you’re forced to use the expensive public charging network, though.
Nothing’s perfect though, and that includes used EV ownership. Older models, such as a used Nissan Leaf or an early BMW i3, don’t offer much in the way of range - expect about 100 miles between charges. Newer cars, or those with larger batteries such as a Kia e-Niro or Tesla Model 3, should get closer to 250 miles per charge, but if you’re a high-mileage driver then this may not be enough.
However, there’s a whole world of great-value and interesting used electric cars out there - and our expert road test team has recommended ten of the very best below.
If you’re more into the idea of a new EV, make sure you check out the latest models available on the government’s latest electric car scheme, which could save you thousands of pounds off the price of a new electric car.
1. Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model 3 reviewThere’s no denying what Tesla has done to make electric cars cool and desirable - and then it made cool, desirable cars accessible with the launch of the Model 3. It’s been a huge sales success for the brand, and that means that there are loads around to choose from with prices starting at around £12,000.
For an EV with a real-world 250 mile range, performance to rival many a sports car and a high-tech interior that still feels modern even several years on, that’s a real bargain. And Tesla interiors aren’t just futuristic - they also wear the miles really well, as evidenced by the number in service as taxis around big cities.
Tesla’s policy of constant, over-the-air software updates means that even a used Model 3 will have many of the same features that a brand-new one gets. In some ways, it’s also an improvement - the newer, updated car did away with things like the indicator stalk, where the old car retains this and is much easier to use as a result.
The Model 3 came with a four-year warranty from new which means that even the oldest of used examples will just be coming out of this period. And all of them have access to Tesla’s full Supercharger network, as well, which is one of the widest-ranging and most reliable fast-charging solutions out there.
Disadvantages? Well, the Model 3’s saloon boot means it’s not as practical a family car as it could be - you’d need the Model Y SUV for that - and even though it’s powerful and fast, it’s not that much fun to drive either. Don’t expect all used examples to come with Tesla’s headline ‘self-driving’ features, either - these were a seriously expensive option when new and many used models won’t have had it specified.
Tesla’s reliability record is pretty good, and it’s easy to book in servicing and maintenance through the Tesla app. Bear in mind that early models weren’t exactly built very well, though - so expect some inconsistent panel gaps, poor-quality paint finishes and maybe some shakes and rattles.
2. BMW i3
BMW i3 reviewThe BMW i3 looks like nothing else on the road. It was BMW’s first car designed from the ground up to be electric, and the German manufacturer didn’t do things by halves. Not only is there that wild styling, but scratch the surface and you’ll realise that it’s not like your common or garden EV in many other ways.
The i3’s construction made use of aluminium and CFRP - or carbonfibre-reinforced plastic. This lightweight and extremely sturdy material is ideal for EVs as it helps keep weight down and thereby improve the range. Futuristic materials were paired with a futuristic design - the i3 looks wild with its tall silhouette and dramatic rear-hinged back doors.
There were several versions of the i3 over its lifetime. The first models had a small battery and a maximum range of around 100 miles, but this was upgraded to around 120 miles in 2016 and 190 in 2018. There was also a ‘range extending’ model, named the i3 REx - this had a two-cylinder petrol engine and a tiny fuel tank which could give you hybrid running for the occasional longer trips.
All versions got the same minimalist and gorgeously-designed interior, though, with a real feeling of space - albeit not the largest back seats or boot. They were all fun to drive too.
The i3 was an EV that was ahead of its time - but as a result, they still feel modern even in 2025. There were a few recalls for safety and maintenance purposes, but generally the i3 was quite reliable. The oldest models are well out of warranty, though, so it’s definitely worth getting a battery health check before you buy just to make sure that you’re still going to get a usable range. Note also that any damage to that clever CFRP bodywork can be punitively expensive to repair, so make sure you’re getting a tidy model.
3. Porsche Taycan
Porsche Taycan reviewIf someone said they were going to show you a Porsche for £30,000, you might be expecting a decade-old, slightly ratty 911 or Boxster, or perhaps a less desirable Macan or Cayenne SUV. The truth is that if you want to go electric, you can pick up a four-year-old Porsche Taycan with low mileage and better performance than any of those cars for just over £30,000 - and prices are going down all the time.
Expensive, luxurious SUVs have seen extreme depreciation, which is sad for the original owners but great news for used buyers. It means you can live life as a Porsche owner for a fraction of the original cost, and enjoy one of the very best EVs out there.
The Taycan is an absolutely fantastic experience behind the wheel. It’s tremendously powerful, of course - even the most basic model will press you back in your seat if you put your foot down - but the real headline is that it drives like one of Porsche’s sports cars and not like a heavy, anodyne electric car.
Despite the reasonable purchase price, you’ll need to budget slightly more for running costs with a Taycan - things like the tyres and brakes will be quite expensive to replace, and servicing costs at a Porsche dealer are higher than at, say, a Nissan garage.
Reliability isn’t the strongest by EV standards, but most issues are based around things like the infotainment. Mechanically, the Taycan is pretty sound.
Real-world range of over 200 miles and super-fast charging thanks to the Taycan’s 800-volt underpinnings make it great for doing long distances, but the Taycan is rare among electric cars in that you’ll enjoy the country roads on either end just as much.
4. Volkswagen e-Golf
Volkswagen e-Golf reviewThe Mk7 Volkswagen Golf is already about as sensible as hatchbacks get, so it’s not too surprising that the electric version is a peach. You can distil it into one sentence - it’s like a Golf, but electric.
The specifications are pretty modest. A maximum claimed range of 186 miles - around 130 in everyday use - and a not-too-powerful electric motor mean this won’t challenge hot hatchbacks at the lights. However, what you do get is an EV that’s extremely relaxing to drive, won’t cost the earth to run and importantly to some drivers, doesn’t look much different from a regular petrol or diesel Golf.
It’s worth seeking out a post-2017 model, as the cars before this had smaller batteries. Look out too for versions that come with a heat pump, to improve efficiency in cold weather.
The e-Golf’s electric motor and battery are pretty reliable, and the rest of the car is similar to a regular Mk7 Golf - so you shouldn’t encounter too many problems, and any VW dealer will be able to sort them if they arise.
5. Kia e-Niro
Kia e-Niro reviewThe dumpy-looking Kia e-Niro may not be the most glamorous way to electrify your driveway, but it’s one of the best thanks to its reasonable price and cracking real-world range.
When equipped with the larger of its two battery options, the e-Niro offers a real-world 250 miles per charge - with a super-accurate range counter which takes the anxiety out of doing long trips.
The interior isn’t the most stylish, but it’s comfortable and practical. Likewise, the e-Niro won’t excite you on a country road, but it’ll do you great for trips around town and it’s terrific on a longer run.
And thanks to Kia’s seven-year warranty and good reliability record, any used example is likely to be in great condition.The e-Niro won’t excite you, but it’s a fantastically competent car and a great way to go electric with the minimum disruption.
6. Jaguar I-Pace
Jaguar I-PACE reviewJaguar’s all-electric future may have been in the headlines recently but that’s no reason to forget about its past. The I-Pace was its first and so-far only all-electric car and it was a seriously good offering with plenty of style, reasonable practicality and a touch of that Jaguar magic when you got it onto a good road.
The I-Pace’s cab-forward styling was a big departure from typical Jag styling but there’s no denying it looks good, and still fresh even several years on. Officially the I-Pace got 292 miles on a charge, but real-world efficiency was a way below that - still, expect about 220 miles between stops, more if you’re careful.
The interior is one area where the Jag shows its age - if you’re buying a pre-2021 model the touchscreen is slow and laggy. But you’ll forget about that when you hit the back roads - it’s powerful, handles corners brilliantly and even has some of the driver communication that’s missing from so many electric cars.
Reliability is a mixed bag, with many owners encountering small faults. You’ll certainly want a decent relationship with your local Jag dealer - but as ever, with no engine to worry about, there’s significantly less to go wrong.
Sharing its batteries, motors and mechanical underpinnings with the Volkswagen ID4 meant Skoda was already off to a good start with the Enyaq - then, it did what it’s best at, and made the interior roomier and much cleverer than its VW counterpart. The Enyaq is definitely the pick of used EVs from the Volkswagen Group, even if it’s not really the most stylish.
There aren’t any notable reliability quirks to deal with, nor have there been any safety recalls, so the Enyaq makes a sound purchase as a used car. It did only come with a three-year warranty, though, so it’s unlikely a cheap used example will still be covered - a shame.
There are a few battery sizes to pick from, plus a four-wheel drive model at the very top. This mullers your range, though, so seek out an ‘80’ model which should easily cover 250 miles or more on a full charge. You could also search for a ‘Lodge’ or ‘ecoSuite’ version, which get super-stylish interiors wrapped in fabric trim or eco-friendly leather. Both feel far posher inside than the equivalent - and more expensive - Volkswagen. They have bigger boots, too.
8. Nissan Leaf
Nissan Leaf reviewThe Nissan Leaf was the original mainstream electric car, and the Mk2 model of 2018 built on the success of the first model with a more stylish body and more mature interior. The battery size and range were pretty modest, but as a result if you just need a city runaround the Leaf is an absolute bargain - with early models available for less than £5,000.
The smaller battery was capable of 168 miles officially - around 120 in the real world - while the larger battery option managed 230 in testing and around 180 in reality. Bear in mind that neither model got a heat pump, though, and they charge through the older ChaDeMo standard - not all public fast chargers support this any more, which could be a problem if you do a lot of your charging out and about rather than at home.
Reliability is a Leaf strong point, with only sporadic problems reported with the fast-charging system a cause for concern. If the range suits you, this is a great used electric car.
9. GWM Ora Funky Cat/03
GWM Ora 03 reviewThe Ora Funky Cat - or recently renamed Ora 03 - is one of those cars that we didn’t rate too highly when it was launched, but as a used car it looks like a total bargain. Around £10,000 can get you into a two-year-old example, at which point it starts looking like a really compelling alternative to something like a Vauxhall Corsa-e.
The Funky Cat’s key appeal is its styling - it looks ace. It’s retro without being too much of a pastiche, and if you’re fond of cars like the Mini or Fiat 500 you’ll get on well with the Ora.
From a distance it looks like a small car but it’s only when you get close that you realise it’s really well-sized - there’s space in the back for tall adults, though the boot is tiny.
The cabin’s really stylish too - it feels high quality and comes in some fun colour combos, though the software isn’t always the quickest to respond. The driver assistance systems are a pain too.
There aren’t too many reported reliability issues, but some owners have reported difficulty getting car insurance - and software updates have to be applied by a GWM dealer, so check there’s one near you before you buy.
The MG4 is one of those fantastic examples of getting more than you pay for - even new, it was a bargain, yet it gave the Volkswagen ID3 a real run for its money. Well, used, they’re even cheaper - you can pick up a two-year-old car with negligible mileage for less than half of its price new.
All MG4s have plenty of space, plenty of power and are great fun to drive. The infotainment systems can be frustrating to use - but all versions get smartphone connectivity to bypass this, so it’s not that big a problem.
The only reason it’s not higher on this list is reliability. MG came bottom in the last two Driver Power owner satisfaction surveys, and while the MG4’s batteries and motors are reliable, many owners report electrical and software faults with their cars. At least the MG4 comes with a seven-year warranty - you might need to use it a fair bit.
Factors to consider when buying a used electric car
Range
Electric cars have made huge leaps in how far they can go on a charge in recent years - and this means that used models came before this. Check how far your potential purchase can go on a charge - not just the official figure, but look through owners’ forums and real-world data to see how many miles it can cover outside of structured testing. This should help you determine whether a used EV fits your lifestyle.
Charging
All used EVs can be charged at home with no issues, but some older models - particularly from Japanese manufacturers - will use the ChaDeMo standard for rapid public charging. This is an older kind of connector and support is being phased out as more chargers offer only the industry standard Type 2 connector instead.
Maintenance
EVs have fewer moving parts than petrol cars and require less maintenance generally - but that’s no excuse to neglect it. Make sure in particular that components like the tyres and brakes have been checked over and replaced if necessary.
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