Battery and range
Ask for a battery health report before you agree a price. It shows how much charge the battery can still hold compared with when it was new. If the seller hasn't got one, ask a main dealer to test it.
The range on the brochure is a best-case figure. Cold weather, motorway speeds and heating all cut it. Work out your typical week and check the car covers it with some spare. Ask for a test drive on a route you know.
Many makers cover the battery separately from the rest of the car, for a set number of years or miles. Ask the seller for the battery warranty paperwork, check how much time is left, and confirm with the manufacturer that the cover passes to you. Don't rely on a verbal promise. For the rest of the buying steps, see our used car checklist.
Records and running costs
Start with the MOT history. A car needs its first MOT three years after registration, then every year, and computerised records go back to 2005. Read the defects from each test, from dangerous to advisory. Worn tyres close to the legal limit and worn or pitted brake discs are among the most common advisories, so check them before you agree a price. You can check it free with our MOT history check.
Compare the mileage at every MOT. A drop between tests is the classic sign of clocking. Selling a car without declaring that the mileage is wrong is an offence, and the average car in the UK covers about 7,100 miles a year, so a figure that looks out of step is worth questioning.
Check the car tax and ULEZ. Electric cars have paid car tax since April 2025, and tax doesn't transfer to a new keeper, so you must tax the car before you drive it. Electric cars always comply with ULEZ, so the London daily charge won't apply. Use our car tax calculator to check the band.
Charging
Check the charging cable before you hand over any money. Make sure the cable that came with the car is still there, and look it over closely. Look for cracks, fraying, scorch marks or a melted plug at either end. A damaged cable is a safety risk, so don't use it until it's been checked. Ask whether the seller still has the original cable and whether a spare came with the car.
Home charging needs its own check. If the seller charged at home, ask whether a home charger was fitted, who fitted it and whether it stays with the car or the house. Ask for the installation paperwork if they have it. You'll need a charger that suits how you plan to charge, so don't assume it will work at your address.
Ask how the car was charged day to day. If it was mostly on public chargers, ask whether the seller kept app records or receipts, and ask to see them. Frequent fast charging can wear a battery faster than slow charging at home. For more on what to check before you buy, see our used car checklist.