The sales of used vehicles hit record highs in 2021, and the demand for pre-own options is still rising. Looking at the zero-emission side, the most popular EV makes and models include the Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, and Teslas based on the buying data. If you are looking to buy a used electric vehicle in Canada, you will see more and more used EV options are now available in the used market. Buying a used electric vehicle can be a bargain as used EVs tend to keep great values. That’s especially true for popular names like Tesla which usually retain great resale value. If you are thinking to buy a used vehicle in Canada, here are some tips so you won’t regret buying a used vehicle.
1. Run a battery check
First thing first, when it comes to buy a used electric vehicle, the state of its battery is the most important thing to check. The thing is, the number of miles driven isn’t always able to reflect the health of the battery. A used EV’s battery degrades based on a number of factors, which include the operating temperature, the way the battery charges, or overcharging. Also, keep in mind that EVs’ batteries are not made the same, some makes, like Tesla, make stronger batteries than others. At Carnex, we do a full diagnostic on all our electric vehicles. From the high voltage battery pack that drives the car to the 12-volt battery that powers the electronics, everything is looked after and your EV purchase will be worry-free.
2. Consider where you’ll be driving
Buy a used electric vehicle, you will also need to think about the weather factor, as cold or hot weather has a negative effect on battery life. The best temperature range for electric-car batteries is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, extreme heat or extreme cold can reduce the range. Keep in mind that weather and climate can affect your battery performance. In Canada, where we have a long winter in most of the provinces, electric vehicles batteries are less effective and have a shorter range during the cold weather. So you need to make sure you buy a used electric vehicle that has sufficient battery range when the temperature drops.
3. Check the warranty
Most of the battery warranty coverages run for 160,000 kilometres or eight years after the initial purchase, whichever comes first. If you are buying a used electric vehicle that’s a newer model and still under warranty, you may potentially get a replacement battery if the battery has been degraded enough to qualify for a replacement. You can try to find a vehicle that still has a valid manufacturer’s warranty and also remember to check if the warranty is transferable.
4. Consider resale value
As we just discussed, the battery range is a key factor in determining the resale value of a used electric vehicle. When buying a used electric vehicle, it’s important to understand diminished battery performance will have a direct impact on the value of a used electric vehicle. While some automakers make better batteries than others; for example, Tesla’s batteries can hold up more than 90% of their full capacity after driving 320,000 kilometres, which means the battery degradation is less of an issue, and that’s one of the reasons that a used Tesla holds a higher resale value. The higher the battery range a used electric vehicle can hold, the more likely it is to hold its value at the best in the resale market.
5. Consider how to charge your EV
This is an important step when it comes to buying a used electric vehicle, as you will absolutely need a charging station to recharge your EV. You may use public chargers if your location allows you to do so, or plug your EV directly into a wall outlet which will take significantly longer to recharge. These aren’t the most convenient options or it takes longer to recharge time. While the public chargers aren’t as common as gas stations, you need to decide if installing a charger at home is an option that works for you.
6. Shop at speciality dealers
With more and more used electric vehicle options available on the market. Buy a used electric vehicle from a dealership or privately are both worth looking into. Shop at dealerships that specialize in electric vehicles will allow you to get more information about the battery stats, charging recommendations, and general EV expertise. While buying directly from the owner means you will need to find your own financing and potentially deal with more uncertainties. Shop smarter for the right used electric vehicle online at Carnex.ca, your speciality EV dealer that opens for online shopping 24/7.
7. Think ahead
EVs are not the same as gasoline cars, you cannot travel with an EV with a depleted battery. If you plan to buy a used electric vehicle with an older battery in order to save some money upfront, it’s likely you will need to pay for a battery replacement. Manufacturers like Tesla or Nissan, are able to set up a battery replacement or sell you a new battery. Remember to consider the cost of a new battery and also the cost of the service and labour if you decided to go with a used EV that has an old battery.
Learn more about the benefits of buying from Carnex. We believe that all clients deserve to know the good and bad of what they’re buying. Because we wanted to know these when we bought cars. That’s why at Carnex.ca, we will proudly display every detail every step of the way. Browse all the best cars, automobile buying tips, auto insurance, young drivers, driving techniques, auto industry trends from Carnex Blog.
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