There have been a lot of headlines lately about the decline in second-hand values of electric cars. That's bad news if you've recently bought a new one, but if you fancy a used electric car, perhaps as a second car or even as your main car, it might be music to your ears, because - as a result - used electric cars are currently cheaper than ever before.
Yet the perception persists among much of the buying public that electric cars are expensive to buy at any stage - although the reality is that there are now plenty of brilliant electric cars available for under £20,000, and usually significantly so, without exposing you to the potential dangers of the banger end of the market.
And while battery degradation is always an issue with a used EV, these cars are still new enough to have almost all of the original battery capacity remaining; some even come with part of the manufacturer's warranty still in effect.
So if you want to dip a toe into the electric car pool but don't fancy a brand new one, these are the models to do it with.
Best budget used EV: Volkswagen e-Golf (2014-2020)
With the emergence of Volkswagen's first dedicated electric car, the ID.3, the older e-Golf has been somewhat forgotten, but now represents great value. Early examples, with the smaller 24 kWh battery pack, are the cheapest and are likely to travel 60-70 real-world miles between charges, making them best suited as a city tourer or commuter.
Later examples don't cost that much more, though, and their 36 kWh battery pack offers a more useful real-world range of around 115 miles. DC charging is still relatively slow by modern standards, peaking at 40 kW, but that's still enough to get a 10 to 80 percent charge in just over half an hour.
Furthermore, there is early evidence that the decline in a VW's battery capacity over time is very low. As part of Geotab's study of 6,000 electric cars, the e-Golf recorded one of the lowest rates of battery degradation, with around 96 percent of its original capacity remaining after three years. And what's more, the e-Golf has been repeatedly rated as one of the most reliable electric cars in successive reliability surveys. That makes it a brilliant used EV to buy.
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The best thing about the Gulf, however, is its relative normality. Apart from the drivetrain, it looks and feels just like an automatic Mk7 Golf on petrol or diesel - with all the functionality, quality and comfort that entails. As a result, we believe it's worth the extra cost, compared to the only other electric car of comparable size and price: the first-generation Nissan Leaf.
Price to pay: from £8,000
We found: 2018 e-Golf 36 kWh, 61,000 miles, full service history, £10,500
Must know: Although the e-Golf scores very well in terms of reliability, some early production examples suffered from electrical problems with the battery control module; unrelated, extended use in ECO+ mode may drain the 12-volt battery.
Best Used EV for Fun: Mini Electric (2020-2023)
When Mini started developing an electric car, it knew it had to uphold the brand's reputation for driving fun. Fortunately, the Mini Electric is one of the most entertaining EVs, with a giggly driving experience that offers far more feel and feedback than most.
And it's not just on the road that the Mini Electric feels good. As with petrol and diesel Minis, its bold styling, retro interior and wide variety of paint and upholstery finishes make it as fun to look at as it is to be in, even at rest. It also has an excellent reliability record, having competed in the What Car? ended at the top of the electric car rankings in 2023. Reliability research.
Admittedly, the Mini Electric isn't the best choice here if functionality is your main requirement. It only comes in three-door form and the rear seats are cramped, so loading your kids into child seats is a bit of a hassle. The trunk is also quite small, and the real-world electric range of around 110 miles isn't huge. But if you're looking for an urban ride that will make you laugh, the Mini is hard to beat.
Price to pay: from £12,000
We found: 2020 Mini Electric Level 1, 30,000 miles, full service history, £12,495
Must know: Some Minis are known to suffer from strange electrical faults caused by a short circuit in the wiring harness. These are not easy to trace, but once found they are often easy to correct.
Best in comfort: Citroën ë-C4 (2020-present)
The extra weight of a battery makes EVs more likely to flop around when cornering; To combat this, many manufacturers like to use stiffer suspension, which can make electric cars feel quite bumpy.
But not Citroën. The French brand's aim is to prioritize comfort and as part of this it has ensured that the suspension in its ë-C4 is as supple as possible. Combined with the plush 'Advanced Comfort' seats that come standard on top models, the result is an EV that does a great job of isolating bumps from your rear end.
But doesn't that mean it rolls in all directions? Well, it's true that the ë-C4 isn't as precise or as tight as its electric rivals - but it doesn't break down in corners either, with surprisingly well-controlled body roll and plenty of grip. And with a hatchback trunk and five spacious seats, it is also a practical family car.
Price to pay: from £14,000
We found: 2022 Citroen ë-C4 Shine 50kWh, 30,000km, £14,999
Must know: The entry-level Sense and Sense Plus versions are quite sparsely equipped and don't offer enough of a discount compared to the more luxurious Shine variant to make them worthwhile.
Best for ease of use: Tesla Model 3 (2019-2024)
There's a reason why the Model 3 has become one of the best-selling electric cars in Britain, and it's not just down to the brand's progressive public image.
Climb aboard and there's no start button. As long as you have the key card with you, simply select 'Drive', press the accelerator to go and press the brake to stop. It's so easy.
The huge central touchscreen contains all the car's controls, which can make it difficult to find your way around. But with that exception, using the Model 3 is a breeze. And most importantly, so is charging.
Simply roll up to a Tesla Supercharger and plug in your car. The two communicate, initiate charging and bill your account - no hassle with apps or maps. Mind you, given the Model 3's long range - even the Standard Range Plus can go about 195 miles on a charge in the real world - you wouldn't need to use a Supercharger too often.
Price to pay: from £17,500
We found: 2019 Model 3 Standard Range Plus, 53,000 miles, full service history, £19,995
Beware of: Model 3s are generally better built than the larger Model S, but early cars still suffered from quality issues, so inspect panel gaps carefully and look for telltale signs of problems such as condensation in light units or error messages on the screen.
Best all-rounder (and our best buy): Kia e-Niro (2018-2022)
There's a reason why the e-Niro was our favorite electric car for a long time. The combination of a sensible size, an impressive range, a practical interior, a comfortable ride, generous specifications and a neat drive made it a no-brainer for those looking for a modestly priced EV as their next family car.
Those qualities remain valid and with values having plummeted recently, the e-Niro is now available for very reasonable prices on the second-hand market.
Don't forget that the e-Niro is also covered by Kia's seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty - and considering it was introduced in 2019, that means every e-Niro still has a minimum two-year manufacturer's warranty. other.
At this price, that makes the e-Niro a brilliant all-rounder, which is why it's currently our recommended best buy among used electric cars.
Price to pay: from £15,000
We found: 2019 e-Niro First Edition 64kWh, 33,000km, full service history, £16,450
Must know: Standard 12 volt batteries can be a bit weak and thus discharge easily, especially if the ignition is left on while the car is not running. A faulty trunk switch can also drain the battery.
...and the used electric car to avoid: Vauxhall Mokka E (2020-present)
At first glance, the Mokka E is a great electric car. It looks good, it's fun to drive and there are plenty of them around, which has contributed to the drop in values, making it quite affordable by EV standards.
But there are problems. For starters, the rear seats are tighter than those of competitors like the Kia e-Niro. The trunk is also smaller.
But the biggest problem is that the Mokka E is developing a reputation for sub-par reliability. In the What Car? of 2023 it emerged as the least reliable electric car. Reliability survey with a dismal score of 61 percent. That view is supported by owners' internet forums full of stories of electrical problems, charging problems, range well below expected levels and even cars dying without warning on the side of the road, leaving owners stranded.
Perhaps the Mokka E's reliability will improve with the arrival of a new powertrain in 2024 - but for now its poor reputation for reliability means these earlier cars are best avoided.
