Best Used EV Deals - December 2024

Buying a used EV has never been more affordable and there’s never been so much choice. We pick the best used electric car deals we’ve found online.

Electric cars continue to grow in popularity, but many buyers are put off by the high cost of a new EV. However, there’s never been a better time to buy a used electric car and save yourself thousands of pounds in the process.

As a relatively new technology, new EV buyers have tended to finance electric cars through PCP deals designed to entice early adopters, or run them as tax-efficient company cars.

But with thousands of those cars now up for replacement, the second-hand EV market is now swelling with cars coming off fleets with plenty of life left in their batteries, all being well maintained and sold at affordable prices.

In order to boost consumer confidence, most new EVs get eight-year warranties on their batteries, giving peace of mind if you buy a used version. Plus many models benefit from over the air (OTA) updates which can bring improvements not just to how infotainment systems look or function, but also to unlock battery range.

Add in the fact that you’d still benefit from the balance of the long warranty offered by the likes of Kia or Hyundai and buying a used EV isn’t the leap of faith it may seem.

To help, this page features our choices of the best pre-enjoyed electric cars for a range of drivers, plus the best deals we’ve found online on our favourite used EVs.

After more deals on new cars? Check out our round-up of all the best new car PCP deals around. Our pages on 0% APR deals and nearly new cars also regularly feature competitive prices on electric cars. If you're searching more widely, then check out our round-up of all the best new car deals around. 

Our pick of the best used EV deals

We've picked a range of top-selling used electric cars, from small hatchbacks to saloons and SUVs, all with significant savings:

Why are electric cars expensive?

Historically, petrol- and diesel-engined cars have cost less to buy new than their fully electric equivalents, because of the cost of batteries. However, the crossover point where electric cars are cheaper to produce doesn't look too far away. Vauxhall, for example offers deals on the Grandland and Corsa Electric that are comparable to the equivalent petrol powered versions.

It’s also important to take into account that recharging costs less than refuelling, there are vastly fewer parts on the EV that need servicing, and parts prices are coming down all the time.

From 1 April 2025, electric cars will cost the same to tax annually as petrols and diesels, while any cars over £40,000 new will also be liable for the additional premium VED car tax charge that's applicable from years two to five.

Should I finance or buy an electric car?

Both options offer the environmental benefits and lower running costs that make EVs tempting, but whether to finance or buy is generally dependent on whether you’re looking to buy new or used.

Taking out a finance deal on a new electric car helps cushion you from the sting of depreciation, and gives you the option of handing back your older electric car to upgrade to the very latest technology. Whether that’s sustainable, however, is another matter.

This pattern does mean that cars owned by fleets that have seen out a PCP or PCH agreement then offer good deals when they hit the used market, making them well worth a look, as long as shorter warranty on the battery doesn't phase you.

Which is the best used electric car?

The best used electric car depends very much on how you plan to use your car. For example, if you just need a small city car as a second vehicle for running errands, something with less range and space won't be such a priority as it would for a family looking to use their EV as their only car.

Then, once you've understand exactly how you will use your electric car it's then important to figure out your budget, bearing in mind that charging isn't free. Once you've narrowed that down, then finding the newest car that meets your needs with the fewest miles for your budget is smart, as that'll mean you get the most of the battery warranty to give extra peace of mind.

How long do EV batteries last?

An electric vehicle’s battery will easily last as long the engine in any comparable model with a petrol or diesel engine, provided the car gets regular use. However, replacement is generally required once a battery drops below 70% of its original capacity.

Makers of EVs generally offer and eight year or 100,000 mile warranty on the battery, typically guaranteeing that 70% capacity as a minimum, and will replace the battery if this isn’t met, assuming you have stuck to the terms of the warranty.