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 consider when buying any used car - whether it is a car with an internal combustion engine or an electric car.

There are other important details about the electric car that require special attention. Many will say that the most important thing is the battery, but not the only part that you need to check before buying.

This review discusses other important aspects that should be considered when buying a used electric car.

1. Battery and power supply

The heart of an electric vehicle 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, consequently, the mileage on one charge. For this reason, the buyer should insist on providing the most up-to-date service document. This is the only way to determine the condition of a battery and determine if it has really lost much of its capacity due to frequent deep discharge.

It is also important that next-generation electric vehicles are usually equipped with a quick charge system as standard. In older models, you had to pay extra for it. Always check that the car has this function.

It should also be noted that the batteries are currently designed for a service life of about 10 years. For older models, battery replacement may be required. And this is a huge factor affecting the cost of the vehicle.

2. Charging cable

The importance of a charging cable is often underestimated. It is important that it is functional and consistent with this model. For this reason, it is important to indicate in the sales contract which charging cable is included in the purchase of the car, as well as in what condition it is.

3. Brakes

The main attention in the brake system is given to brake discs: due to the recovery system (conversion of kinetic energy into electricity) they wear out more slowly than in conventional machines. But due to their lower use, corrosion may appear on them. That is why a careful inspection of the brake discs is important before buying.

4. Tires

The opposite is true for tires: they wear out much faster in electric vehicles than in models of internal combustion. There is a simple reason for this: a higher starting torque. That is why for electric vehicles it is strongly recommended that you carefully monitor the tread depth and tire damage.

5. High voltage wires

Orange high voltage cables are not always visible, but if you see them, do not touch them! However, a visual inspection may reveal some defects - bends to break or insulation damage. If you do not pay attention to this, you will have to seriously spend money on the purchase of a new kit.

6. Air conditioning / heat pump

The heat pump is important not only for heating the car interior in the winter. It is also necessary for heating a cooled battery so that it does not discharge so quickly. Many older electric vehicles were not equipped with such a system.

If the heat pump is not built-in, this leads to a reduction in the distance that the car can travel on a single charge in the winter. The heat pump was not standard on older models, so be sure to check before buying.

7. Service book

When buying a used car, a service book about maintenance and timely replacement of important parts will tell more about the condition of the car than the previous owner. Its presence can guarantee that the car is really in order, and how much is left before the warranty period for the battery.