Best used electric cars 2025
There's never been a better time to buy a used electric car. Whether you're after something small and nimble for the city or a family SUV for weekend trips, you'll almost certainly find a used EV that suits your budget and needs.
Sales of new electric cars continue to increase as manufacturers gear up for the impending ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. This has a knock-on effect on the used car market, with tens of thousands of secondhand EVs to choose from. Prices start from less than £3000, if you're prepared to put up with the limited range of some of the older models.
The majority of modern electric cars can offer between 200 and 300 miles of range at lower speeds with ease, meaning it is possible to use one and rely on public charging networks if you don't have off-street parking or a charging point where you live.
If you intend to use dual carriageways and motorways often it's worth paying more for high-end EVs, which are geared and tuned to be efficient at higher speeds. For example, a 52kWh Renault Zoe can genuinely reach 250 miles of range below 40mph – but at 70mph, that is more like 150 miles, a fact that Renault did not hide but often gets overlooked when buying an EV.
Here, we look at some of the best used electric cars you can buy right now.
Best used electric cars |
1. BMW i3 (2013-2023)
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- Compact car with impressive interior space
- Cutting-edge engineering unlike other cars at this price
- Efficient, but can be expensive to insure
Where most manufacturers simply swapped the fuel tank and engine for a motor and battery, BMW took a holistic approach when creating its first mass-produced electric car. To make an efficient EV, you need to make a light EV.
This means bypassing steel and going straight to the stuff supercars are made of - carbon fibre. The small, rigid body features pillarless doors – like a Mazda RX-8 – and while not 'mini', certainly makes the most of the interior space to create a versatile car.
The earliest models have a small battery, just 22kWh – but can still achieve 120 miles if the pack is in good health. To avoid range anxiety early i3s were available as the 'i3 REx', which features a 647cc scooter engine generator. This extends the range significantly, but also allows quicker pitstops when the charging bays are full.
In 2017 the battery was upgraded to 33kWh while 2019 models benefit from the largest i3 pack at 42.2kWh. With 193 mile range potentially available the i3 REx was no longer offered – instead, a faster, sportier i3 S option joined the range.
You'll find a used BMW i3 from around £5000 – with even the last models from main dealers remaining relatively affordable for the technology on offer. Watch out for accident damage, as the carbon fibre body and aluminium subframes are expensive to fix.
REx models need a good service history and evidence that they've been used and had fresh fuel relatively often, rather than just relying on the battery. And while the engine has a timing chain, it is not bulletproof. Overall we'd recommend buying a 2017-on i3 and avoid the REx.
2. Genesis GV60 (2022-on)
- Two-year old GV60s often half new price
- Upmarket trim, around 250 mile real-world range
- Refreshingly bold colours and trim
You don't need to wind back to small-battery Hyundai Ioniqs to get good value in a Korean EV. For nearly-new buyers the Genesis GV60 is something of a bargain, as the £54,000-up new car is available from £20,000 on the used market.
Go for one a couple of years old and you'll enjoy the balance of a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty. Like most cars the body warranty is longer and the high-voltage battery warranty is eight years.
Despite the Korean fashion boutique interior details and generous specification, the Genesis GV60 is a little cheaper than it's Hyundai or Kia platform-mates. The Kia EV6 does offer a longer warranty, but so far it looks like these are reliable, dependable cars that don't ask much in terms of maintenance.
Most used GV60s feature a 74.4kWh battery pack, and single motor with brisk rather than stunning performance. There is a dual-motor version with all-wheel drive while later models do offer a larger battery but there aren't many on the used market yet.
3. Polestar 2 (2021-on)
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- Volvo-esque Tesla Model 3 rival – afforable and upmarket
- New price from around £45,000
- Used examples from £12,000
Polestar is quite new to the market in terms of offering a range of cars, but with origins as Volvo's performance marque it represents solid – and very appealing – brand values. A modern assertive design hints at the same safety and quality you would expect from Volvo while the immense torque of electric power suits Polestar's brand aspirations. These are quick, purposeful cars in a market dominated by fast sprints and high-tech design.
There's a good reason to buy a used Polestar if you feel more confident with front-wheel drive – the single motor models swapped to rear-wheel drive (as did the related Volvo XC40 and C40) for 2024 models, regardless of battery pack.
You might be surprised to find that for £15,000, you'll be able to buy higher-mileage dual-motor AWD models as well as average-mileage single motor versions; the price difference is much smaller than when the cars were new.
Entry level Polestar 2s can achieve around 200 miles of real-world mixed driving, while the long-range and dual-motor variants can get closer to 300 miles even with stretches of motorway speed. Early models feature 64kWh standard range or 78kWh long range options, where later versions introduced 69kWh and 82kWh packs. Early single-motor models are also limited to 99mph, but are still capable of 0-62mph in 7.0 seconds.
4. Kia e-Niro (2018-2022)
- Affordable long-range EV, from £9000
- Seven-year warranty benefits newer models
- Efficient and easy to drive
Okay, the Nissan Leaf may have been the first mainstream electric car offered in the UK, but for many drivers the Kia e-Niro represents the first mainstream EV you could buy instead of a conventional equivalent.
That's because it was one of the earliest modes to offer a big battery and good efficiency at a competitive price. With 64kWh and a 204PS motor, the practical five-door SUV has enough power to move a family around without stress thanks to 451 litres of cargo space.
Arriving relatively late in the lifespan of the Hyundai Ioniq-based Kia Niro, the e-Niro was substantially restyled for the second generation in 2022, which looks strikingly different and modern by comparison. The technology underneath is much the same, however, so you're not missing out on range or performance by going for the older model.
While the earliest models will now be out of coverage for Kia's impressive seven-year, 100,000 mile warranty they may still have some battery cover left. For the last registrations there could be a few years remaining of cover – so look for a full service history and avoid ex-taxi or driving school examples.
5. Ford Mustang Mach-E (2021-on)
- Ford's first effective electric car for the UK
- Mustang name implies performance
- It's really a more stylish Kuga, fun, and cheap
Given the brand and relative rarity of the cars, you might not have realised that is possible to get a 91kWh, average-mileage three-year old Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range for around £17,500 - not much more than the higher-spec Dacia Spring.
For that, you get a potential range of 379 miles with the rear-wheel drive model and 341 with all-wheel drive. The 70kWh model can be found for a little less, with around 248 mile range, but at these prices there's little reason to buy anything other than the biggest battery model.
Forget the badge – this has almost nothing in common with the classic Ford Mustang or Ford's often V8-powered coupe and convertible. It's essentially a sportier Ford Kuga with a few Mustang-inspired design tweaks – including a two-tone 'bodycon' roof that hides an SUV tailgate within a coupe profile. You'll want the panoramic roof option if you have rear passengers often, as it's a bit dark back there without.
While the Ford Mustang Mach-E is about as offensive to old-school Mustang fans as the 2008 reboot KITT 3000 was to Pontiac Firebird fans, the brand isn't entirely out of place here. When launched it was one of the most fun electric cars to drive, with old-school rear-wheel drive antics possible if you really wanted it to be playful.
And like Michael Knight's famous car, the Mach-E is full of tech - including limited self-driving abilities. A premium model that is still over £55,000 new, a used Ford Mustang Mach-E for the price of a new entry-level EV with a third of the battery capacity is hard to ignore - particularly if your Route 66 is the long, charger-free A66.
6. Fiat 500e C (2022-on)
- Enjoy open-air drives in silence from £13,500
- Four-seater small EV is quick and efficient
- Convertible model avoids smallest battery option
Remember that period when every mainstream convertible car was offered with a clattering diesel option? Somehow, by the time silent, tailpipe-free electric power has become commonplace, the open-topped car is all but extinct.
So the little Fiat 500e C is a breath of fresh air for used EV buyers. This small electric car can usually be found for around £13,500 with average mileage. It pairs a 118PS motor with a 42kWh battery pack that's good for around 160 miles of mixed driving – officially, 199 miles.
It has four seats and while not a full convertible, like the original Fiat 500C the ragtop roof does wind all the way back including the rear window so rear passengers get more of a breeze than a traditional large sunroof.
When the sun's absent the conventional roof rails and door apertures have advantages too, especially as the cars get older. Performance off the mark is quick and handling is suitably enjoyable. You can even get a hot Abarth model with 155PS, though prices remain strong for these.
The larger battery of the 500e C allows rapid charging at 85kW, so longer drives should not be too difficult if you plan around suitable stops. However, this is a car that was made for urban life, where topping up at home can be timed to use cheap rates or solar, knowing that there's enough range that if you miss a session there's still plenty 'in the tank'.
7. Renault Zoe (2019-2024)
- 2019-on Zoe is an excellent all-rounder
- Rapid charging and 250-mile urban range
- Can be fussy about Type 2 charger wiring
Along with the Nissan Leaf, the Renault Zoe paved the way for affordable, mass-produced electric cars in Europe and Britain. It's the facelifted second-generation Zoe ZE50, introduced in 2019, that makes the most sense when buying a used electric car now that prices have fallen to around £6000 for average-mileage 2020 models.
As well as less chance of finding one burdened with a battery lease, unlike the earlier Zoe 22kWh and ZE40, the ZE50 series features a 52kWh battery and supports CCS rapid charging rather than the unreliable and problematic 43kWh AC rapid charging of the earlier Q210 models.
The bigger battery means 150 miles at motorway speeds and around 250 miles of urban driving – a role for which the Renault Zoe is very well suited, thanks to forgiving, comfortable suspension, good visibility and plenty of interior space with easy access.
You have a choice of R110 or R135 motors reflecting 109PS or 136PS respectively – the more powerful version is a couple of seconds quicker to 62mph, but most benefit is felt in the 50-70mph push for passing vehicles on motorways. There's little difference in efficiency when driven in the same way, but the R135 offers the flexibility to drain the battery faster for quicker progress.
8. MG 5 (2021-2024)
- A subtle, practical electric estate car
- Good ground clearance, conventional interior
- Excellent value nearly-new or used
MG has been at the forefront of the new wave of Chinese EVs joining the market, in part because it owns a historic British name, but also because parent company SAIC was already making cutting-edge electric models for the South-East Asian market.
Of those cars, the MG 5 is distinctive – partly for its effective long-range 61.1kWh battery, giving the low five-door estate a range of 250 miles. You can buy higher-mileage or damaged-repaired examples from £5000 – go up to £8000 and you'll find low-mileage pre-facelift models from dealers.
These are popular private-hire cars in London and Birmingham, so check any high mileage ones carefully for unrecorded damage or repairs. We'd stick to dealers and approved-used or warranted stock unless aiming to get the cheapest possible deal.
The large load area, low roof and overall ease of use make the MG 5 particularly appealing to anyone resisting the inevitable shift to every car being an SUV. That shift affects MG as well – after just four and a bit years on the market, the MG 5 has been replaced by the MG S5, which is an SUV. It does mean that the remaining nearly-new MG 5s on forecourts are impressively cheap, however. Particularly when you consider the seven-year, 80,000 mile warranty.
9. Porsche Taycan (2020-on)
- Get six-figure style for the price of a new Vauxhall Corsa
- Taycan Sport Turismo has a practical twist
- Fast, yet efficient EV is great value, if not cheap
One of the best things about electric cars is the relationship between power and efficiency. They consume relatively little energy unless moving and only what is needed to move – so an EV like the Porsche Taycan, with 90kWh of power in reserve, can be very efficient when driven at normal speeds.
You can expect over 300 miles at motorway speeds and ultra-rapid charging that uses the full capacity of the best chargers in the network. All this, and quality and style befitting a car that frequently costs over £100,000 after a few options.
While the regular Porsche Taycan has a small boot and can be found with rear-wheel drive and small battery, the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo and Taycan Cross Turismo offer a shooting brake style tailgate and folding seats along with a larger battery as standard.
On paper the increase in boot space is small, in real terms they're a lot easier to live with and can carry quite long items, making them very suitable for long weekends if there's only two of you. For passengers, the four-seater layout has a low roof, but impressive leg room front and rear.
For less than £35,000 you'll find Porsche Taycan Turismo 4S and rear-wheel drive Taycans with the larger 93.4kWh battery pack, which can approach a 300 mile range even with higher cruising speeds – but these are the bottom of the market, with repaired damage or high mileage.
The same budget will get the four-door Taycan with good history in the lower-power, 79kWh battery version, Look to Porsche dealers and you can find approved-used examples for less than £40,000 – still cheaper than many mainstream new EVs and at this stage, likely to lose less money as they've already taken the biggest depreciation hit.
10. Nissan Leaf Mk1 (2011-2018)
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- Original Nissan Leaf is a cheap intro to EVs
- Later models offer longer range
- Prices start around £2000 for short-range models
In 2011 Nissan launched the first mass-market EV for the UK, the Nissan Leaf, Perhaps unsurprisingly, these are now the cheapest used electric cars you can pick up, as it was produced for seven years before a second-generation arrived.
It's been generally reliable and is well understood by enthusiasts and specialists, who have found ways of upgrading, hacking and generally improving those early examples and keeping them on the road. In 2013 Nissan started making the Leaf in Sunderland for the European market.
Like any old car, buying at the cheapest end of the market is a commitment in terms of time and effort keeping it reliable. But if you're an enthusiastic DIYer or enjoy learning about new engineering and tech, a cheap Nissan Leaf is a safe bet.
The earliest Nissan Leaf has a small 24kWh battery and as the cars are approaching 15 years old, real-world range can be as low as 50 miles. Rapid charging is supported on CHAdeMO chargers, but the small battery means Type 2 Fast (7kWh) from a typical wallbox can easily provide a full charge within overnight low-rate periods.
In 2016, a 30kWh option improved range – but if you're looking at those, we'd aim for the second-generation Nissan Leaf that arrived in 2017. The 39kWh battery pushes range to around 140 miles, more in city driving.
Despite the older technology and low cost of the Leaf, they've proven reliable. It's a good choice if you do regular short trips and can charge at home or work. As with the Renault Zoe, beware battery-lease models with a fixed monthly cost attached – this early approach to making an EV affordable is terrible value now.
How much does a used electric car cost?
The earliest electric cars are now easily down into four figures. Nissan Leaf prices start from less than £2000, and used Renault Zoes aren’t much more. If you search hard, you may be able to find an early BMW i3 for less than £6000, but the best deals can be found from around £10,000 - where you can get longer-range, premium or relatively recent mainstream models and still save money against a short-range new EV.
How long does a used electric car last?
Electric cars can, theoretically, last much longer than petrol or diesel cars. The motors are simple, the transmissions are usually very basic, and they use regeneration to slow down which saves wear on braking components. They also don't have burnt oil and vapour to deal with. Most manufacturers provided extended battery warranties, but Nissan's long-term data suggests an EV battery could last 22 years. Specialists who can rebuild packs are relatively easy to find, so the chances are a used electric car will last as long as you care to maintain it - and won't feel quite as hopelessly worn out if previous owners have been less than diligent with oil changes.
Which used electric car is the cheapest to run?
As with traditionally-powered cars, the cheapest to run will be the one that is best suited to your needs. That means if you don't venture out of city or town driving, a small, light short-range EV will be better than one that's carrying a lot of wasted battery space. Likewise, if you regularly drive on motorways, get a fast EV, not just a long-range one. Cars such as the Porsche Taycan, Teslas, and Kia EV6 are built to compete with petrol and diesel cars in the same class. They're geared and tuned to be effective at 70mph, not just 30mph.
Ultimately the best way to make your EV economical to run is to pair it with solar panels and an EV-specific energy tariff, and schedule charing when it's cheap, rather than just before you need the car. Public charging car, in extreme cases, make even an efficient electric car as expensive to run as a 30mpg petrol model.
