7 tips for buying a used electric car

Complete vehicle documentation (service book), inspection for visible damage to the body or test drive: this is all you need to look for when buying a used car - whether it is a car with an internal combustion engine or an electric car.

There are other important parts in an electric vehicle that require special attention. The battery is important, but not the only item to check before purchasing. You can find out what aspects to consider when buying a used electric vehicle in the review below.

1. Battery and power supply

The heart of an electric car is the battery, which is also the most expensive component. With the number of kilometers traveled or the number of charges, its capacity decreases - and hence the mileage with one charge. For this reason, the customer must insist on the latest possible service documentation. This is the only way to determine the condition of the battery and whether it has lost most of its capacity due to frequent heavy discharge.

It is also important that new generation electric vehicles are usually equipped with a quick charging system as standard. In older models, this had to be paid extra. Always check that it is integrated.

It should also be noted that the batteries are currently rated for a service life of about 10 years. Therefore, older models may require a later battery replacement. And this is a huge cost factor.

2. Charging cable

The charging cable is often underestimated: if it is defective (or missing), then there is no environmental plaque / chip. Therefore, in the sales contract it is important to indicate which charging cable is included in the delivery of the vehicle, as well as in what condition it is.

3. Brakes

The main focus of the braking system is on brake discs: due to recuperation (energy recovery), they wear out more slowly than in fuel engines, but due to less use they are also more likely to corrode. This is why it is important to take a close look at the brake discs before buying.

4. Tires

They wear out much faster in electric vehicles than in combustion models. There is a simple reason for this: a higher starting torque. This is why it is highly recommended for electric vehicles to pay special attention to tread depth and tire damage.

5. High voltage electronics

The high voltage orange cables are not always visible, but if you can see them, do not touch them! However, one glance is always worth it, because injuries, such as from rodents, can be especially dangerous (and expensive).

6. Air conditioning / heat pump

Not only for heating the car, but also for increasing the mileage, a heat pump is important, which consumes significantly less energy for air conditioning. If the heat pump is not integrated, this significantly reduces the running time in winter. The heat pump was not standard on older models, so be sure to test it before purchasing.

7. Service book

When buying a used car, it is imperative that you have a well-kept service book. But it's also especially important when buying an electric vehicle so that the (sometimes long-term) battery warranty can be covered.