Buying used electric cars - with these tips you can do it!

Environmentally friendly, cheaper to maintain and quiet on the road: electric cars are becoming increasingly popular. But the high purchase price of electric vehicles deters many potential buyers. But does it necessarily have to be a new car? In this article, you will learn all the important information you need to consider when buying used electric cars.

New car or used car? This is a decision that many buyers find difficult. Because many have concerns about buying a used car. Reasons for this are, for example, unforeseen, expensive repairs or the lack of warranty. We have summarized all the important points that you should generally consider when buying a used car for you in our checklist.

Such concerns also arise when buying a used electric car. Especially since it is the first e-car for most buyers. There is a lot to be said for buying second-hand. Because by buying used, you can avoid the expensive purchase price and benefit from cheap maintenance due to the few wearing parts. Nevertheless, you should consider a few things when buying an electric car. In this article, we explain in detail what you should pay attention to when buying a used electric car.

Used electric car: will it meet my needs?

Before you decide on a used car, you should be clear about what requirements you have for your future vehicle. Are you planning to drive longer distances on holiday? Or do you use your car mainly for commuting? The answers to these questions are particularly relevant for the purchase of an electric car. While older e-car models are quite suitable for regular commuting, it makes sense to invest in a younger used model for longer journeys.

Also think about charging technology. This is crucial in terms of range, as it determines the charging speed. For longer distances with the electric car, it is essential to be able to charge the vehicle quickly. Basically, the charging process with direct current (DC) is slightly faster than with alternating current (AC). However, slower charging with AC power is better for the longevity of the battery. We therefore recommend that you only use fast charging with direct current on the go. Discover more tips to save battery.

Take a closer look at the battery

The battery is the heart of every electric car. If you are interested in an older e-car model, you should be aware that old batteries can only keep up with the newer ones to a limited extent. This applies in particular to the range of the electric car. Technological progress has improved the overall longevity of batteries. This is evident in the younger used electric cars, which have fewer problems with battery performance.

It is important to know that batteries slowly lose capacity during use. However, a higher mileage on the meter does not necessarily mean a lower battery capacity. This is because other factors, such as the charging habits of the previous owner, also play an important role. The decisive factor in terms of battery capacity is the number of charging cycles. Basically, the more often a battery is charged, the faster it ages. Electric cars with a longer range need to be charged less often and consequently their battery ages more slowly.

The battery in an electric car usually has a warranty claim. Before buying, be sure to check whether the warranty for the electric car is still running and what is covered. If you want to be on the safe side, you can have the battery checked at a brand-name workshop. There you can find out what state of health the battery is in. The term "State of Health" is a characteristic value that describes the aging status of a battery. This is given as a percentage of the nominal capacity. Our tip: take a test drive with the electric car. This way you can get to know your used model and check the battery capacity and possible performance at the same time.

Safe on the road: check the brakes of the used electric car

Before buying an electric car, you should check the brakes. Thanks to recuperation, the brake discs of electric cars are subjected to less stress, but this has the disadvantage that more rust can form on the brake discs. Therefore, make sure that the brake discs are in good condition before you decide to buy them.

Take a close look: check the tires of the used e-car

With an electric car, you can start off faster than with a combustion engine. The tires of an electric car are therefore also subjected to more stress and are consequently worn out more quickly. Be sure to check the condition of the tire tread before buying.

This is how the residual value of used electric cars develops

With the growing demand for electric cars, the demand for used electric cars is also increasing. This has a positive effect on the residual value of used electric vehicles. But the residual value depends on many other influencing factors. For example, the rapid technical development has a rather negative effect on the residual value. The older e-car models appear less attractive than new cars with the latest technology.

Eine genaue Prognose für den Wertverlust lässt sich nur schwer aufstellen. Das liegt vor allem daran, dass der Markt für gebrauchte Elektroautos noch relativ neu ist. Laut dem Autobewertungsdienst von Eurotax sind die Unterschiede beim Wertverlust zwischen Benziner, Diesel und Elektrofahrzeug jedoch gering. So beträgt der Wertverlust von Elektrofahrzeugen nach drei Jahren etwa 50,3 Prozent, wobei beim Dieselfahrzeug mit 47,2 Prozent und beim Benziner mit 50 Prozent Wertverlust gerechnet werden muss.

Alles Wichtige zum Kauf von gebrauchten E-Autos auf einen Blick

Der Kauf eines Autos ist eine grosse Investition und sollte daher wohlüberlegt sein. Damit dir die Entscheidung für das richtige Auto leichter fällt, haben wir dir in dieser Liste alle Faktoren zusammengefasst, welche beim Occasion-Autokauf beachtet werden müssen.

Beim Elektroauto solltest du zusätzliche Punkte im Auge behalten. Überprüfe insbesondere die Batterie sowie die Reifen und nimm den Allgemeinzustand des E-Autos gründlich unter die Lupe. Auch den Bremsen solltest du Beachtung schenken. Lass dir genügend Zeit für diese wichtige Entscheidung und mach dir Gedanken, auf welche Dinge du bei deinem zukünftigen Elektroauto besonders Wert legst.