The Used EV Buying Checklist: 10 Things to Check Before You Pay

The 10-point used EV checklist

1. Confirm it's a genuine full EV

Make sure it's a battery electric vehicle, not a plug-in hybrid. The free EV check confirms the fuel type from the DVLA record, along with ULEZ status and road tax.

2. Check battery health and expected range now

The most important check on any used EV. See how to check battery health, you want the expected real-world range now to be close to the original for the car's age and mileage.

3. Check degradation against age and mileage

A modest degradation estimate is fine; a big drop on a young car is a red flag. Our guide on what's normal sets the benchmark.

4. Check the remaining battery warranty

Confirm how many miles and months of battery cover are left, it can be worth thousands. See our battery warranty guide.

5. Review the MOT and mileage history

Check for advisories, failures and a consistent mileage trend. The MOT history check and mileage check expose clocking and heavy motorway use.

6. Sort out charging and cables

Confirm which cables come with the car, whether it can rapid-charge on DC, and, most importantly, that you can charge where you live. Home charging transforms EV ownership; relying only on public chargers changes the running cost.

7. Confirm the battery is owned, not leased

A few early EVs (notably some Renault Zoes) were sold with the battery on a monthly lease that transfers to you. Confirm the battery is owned outright, or factor the rental into the price.

8. Check recalls and software updates are done

EVs get battery-management and safety updates over their life. Ask whether outstanding recalls and updates have been completed, particularly on cars like the Hyundai Kona and Jaguar I-Pace.

9. Inspect tyres, brakes and condition

EVs are heavy and quick, so they can wear tyres faster; regenerative braking means brakes often last longer but can corrode from light use. Check tyre wear, kerb damage and the 12V battery.

10. Run a finance and write-off check

Finally, make sure the car isn't on outstanding finance, recorded as a write-off, or stolen. A vehicle history (HPI) check covers the provenance the battery check doesn't.

Do most of this before you view

Points 1-5 all run from the registration, so you can screen a car before spending an afternoon driving to see it. The Used EV Check bundles the EV-specific ones, battery health, expected range now, degradation, warranty remaining and MOT/mileage, into one instant report. Range data is powered by ClearWatt.