The growing market for electric cars also has a positive effect on the supply of used electric cars. If you have some flexibility with the f...
The growing market for electric cars also has a positive effect on the supply of used electric cars. If you have some flexibility with the features and color of your electric car, you can save some money by choosing a used electric vehicle. Below you will find out what you should pay attention to when buying a used electric car.Buying a used electric car: basic purchasing criteria
Basically, when buying a used electric car, you should pay attention to the same aspects as when buying a used combustion engine:
- Check the car carefully inside, outside, and underneath for damage. Also, take a look under the hood.
- Check all vehicle documents for completeness. In addition to the vehicle certificates parts 1 and 2, ideally, there is also a service booklet that gives you information about inspections and maintenance work that has been carried out.
- Take the car for an extensive test drive. Above all, test the brakes to ensure they are working properly and, if possible, drive on an uneven road to detect any rattling noises. It is best to take a second person with you as a passenger who can also pay attention to the car's peculiarities during the test drive.
- Check the tires for sufficient tread depth and any damage.
- Pay attention to whether the general inspection is still valid or when it expires.
Used electric car: Is the range correct?
Before you buy a used electric car, you should think about the minimum range the vehicle should have so that it meets your needs. If you only want to use your used electric car to travel to work and back with a total distance of no more than 50 kilometers, you have almost free choice, as even the first electric cars can offer this range - even in winter weather conditions. If you want to drive 100 km or more in one go with your electric car, you should choose a newer generation electric car.
However, you shouldn't just take the manufacturer's information about the range of an electric car and take it for granted. The actual range depends on the power consumption of the electric vehicle - and this can vary greatly. Your own driving behavior, the outside temperature, the weather conditions, and the use of heating and air conditioning influence the electricity consumption and thus the range of the electric car. In addition, the range decreases as the battery life increases. Ideally, you can test drive a used electric car thoroughly before buying it so that you can get a good impression of its actual range.The right charging technology for electric cars
In addition to the range, the charging technology is also a crucial purchasing criterion for a used electric vehicle. The charging technology plays a key role in determining how flexibly you can use your electric vehicle. If an electric car can be charged quickly with DC direct current, it can be used again for longer journeys in a relatively short time - depending on the charging capacity, sometimes after just 30 minutes. However, if the car does not yet have a quick-charging function, the charging process can take several hours to build up a usable range again. For longer journeys, it is important that the used electric car can be recharged as quickly as possible if you do not want to plan breaks of several hours in between.
In addition, before buying an electric car, you should clarify where you can charge the car. You may mostly charge the vehicle at home or at your employer's while you are in the office. If you use an electric car frequently
If you have to charge at public charging stations, you should allow for slightly higher operating costs. The tariffs at public charging points are often a little more expensive than, for example, the electricity tariff at home.
Have the electric car battery checked
The battery is the most expensive component of an electric car - so it is important to check its condition carefully before buying the car. Because the battery wears out over time and depending on use. The more charging cycles a battery has already had, the greater the wear and tear. The seller of the electric car should be able to prove the condition of the battery as accurately as possible. The battery of an electric vehicle is checked during regular inspections and maintenance and the results are recorded in test reports and the service booklet. If the seller can show all test reports, this is an indication that the battery is in good condition.
In order to reduce the risk of a damaged or low-performance battery, the ADAC, for example, also offers a manufacturer-independent and neutral battery battery check for electric cars.
Pay attention to the manufacturer's warranty
Before buying an electric car, you should also pay attention to whether the manufacturer's warranty is still valid or not. Depending on the age of the vehicle, there are different guarantee regulations: The first electric cars usually had a guarantee on the drive battery for five years or 100,000 kilometers. However, manufacturers now tend to offer a guarantee of eight years or 160,000. The manufacturer's warranty for electric cars applies if the remaining capacity of the electric car falls below a limit specified by the manufacturer. If the warranty has already expired when you buy a used car, you as the buyer have to pay for a low-performance battery yourself.
Promotion of electric cars when purchasing and leasing
If you buy or lease a used electric car, you can secure subsidies from the government. Since January 1, 2023, the state has been paying up to 4,500 euros when purchasing an electric vehicle, depending on the gross list price. When leasing you can receive funding of between 2,500 and 4,500 euros. However, the funding depends on a few conditions: For example, the used electric car must not have been registered for longer than 12 months and have a maximum mileage of 15,000 kilometers. In addition, no funding must have been applied for in advance for this car.Electric car: purchase or use of a company car?
If you are employed, it may be worth asking your employer about an electric company vehicle instead of buying a car. An electric company car offers savings potential as a monetary benefit, especially when it comes to taxes. Because more advantageous regulations will also apply to electric cars and hybrid vehicles in 2023: the 0.25 percent rule applies to purely electric company cars when it comes to taxation for used and new cars. According to this regulation, only a quarter of the gross list price serves as the basis for taxation. For comparison: For combustion engines, the 1 percent rule applies to used and new cars, where 1 percent of the gross list price is used as the basis for taxation.
Conclusion: Buy a used electric car
If you pay careful attention to details such as the general condition of the vehicle, the condition of the battery and the actual range of the car when buying a used car, you can save money with a used electric car and enjoy your electric vehicle. Government subsidies can also help you finance your electric car. Once you have purchased the electric vehicle, you are independent of expensive fuel prices and at the same time, you are doing something good for the environment - especially if you charge your electric car with green electricity.
