Should I buy used EV?

Bigwheels1111

I know it's not flash or huge spec, but a Dacia spring, max EV can be purchased new for just under 10k brand new, only do 100/110 miles max.

facade

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82172903#Comment_82172903

I have one, great little car for town & commuting, will happily do 70 plus on a motoway/dual carriageway (at the cost of range).

Advantages are that it is small (so you can manoeuvre it around and park it easily), Dacia extend the warranty to 7 years if you have the annual service, a proper handbrake with drums on the rear (no corrosion problems) and it has a large boot.

Disadvantages are the seats are very uncomfortable after an hour, poor legroom in the back (because of the large boot) higher insurance costs than you expect, low safety rating (mainly because of the small size)

It will easily charge from a granny charger (with an EV rated 13A socket) from empty to full overnight.

westv

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82173013#Comment_82173013

I can't imagine a small size is relevant to a low safety rating. I'm guessing it's more to do with less safety tech and cheaper build quality. I may be wrong there though.

facade

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82173237#Comment_82173237

Modern behemoths have doors well over 6" thick so the accident happens a long way from the occupants, the Spring has ones like on an old mini, but made of thinner metal.

Monstrously huge cars with tiny cabins simply have so much more material to absorb impact energy and deflect it from the passengers.

Bandy2023

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82171431#Comment_82171431

I've been in EVs since 2016, had quite a few of different brands / wheels driven / performance.

No evidence of increased tyre wear compared with ICE cars I had before.

I put one back just last month, Michelin cross climates I put on it from new as we get snow here.

It was at 23000 miles and 5mm and 3.5mm on them respectively.

It's a myth

Bandy2023

There's some serious bargains to be had in used EV land.

Saw a lovely looking Ford Mustang Mach-E for £16k the other day, only 56K miles and 96% battery health certificate.

That's a lot of metal and kit for £16k…..friends have one that's 4 years old and zero issues.

Martyn1981

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82172087#Comment_82172087

Funny you should mention a Leaf, as the £12k budget made me think of one too.

That should get you a low(ish) mileage late 2024 39kWh model. Good for 100+ miles at worst in winter, and 150+ in the summer.

These vehicles were sold/cleared on mass as pre-reg, before the new model was launched. Typically sold pre-reg (with 0-10miles on the clock) for £17k. I bought one in Dec 2024.

So under £12k from a dealership (check Autotrader), after haggling, for ~10k miles or less, could be possible.

Check it was pre-reg, as that will explain why there are two previous owners, not one.

Herzlos

I was thinking more along the lines of a 2012 24kWh Leaf for about £2k and stick the other £10k in savings.

Like this one for £1250: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609035699733

I'm of course the requirement of fancy features (which I'd argue isn't that important given how little time the OP will spend in it) and keeping it a long time. Newer would satisfy those better but I think it's hard to pass up a virtually free car.

Mildly_Miffed

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82173607#Comment_82173607

There's a bit of both.

https://www.euroncap.com/assessments/dacia/spring/0910/

But the impact protection rating has changed many times over the years, and those mediocre results would have been perfectly respectable a decade or two ago.