How to check a used EV battery before you buy

Last updated 2026-10-20

1. Identify the exact battery. Many models were sold with several pack sizes and, for Tesla, different chemistries/cell suppliers – and these age differently (e.g. Model 3 after >100,000 km: 93.3% average for LFP vs 88.2–89.8% for Panasonic packs, Carla AB).
2. Know what's normal. Use the model pages here. As a general rule of thumb ADAC expects at least 92% at 50,000 km, 88% at 100,000 km, 84% at 150,000 km, 80% at 200,000 km (ADAC). By age, the UK median is 93.5% at 4–5 years and 85.0% at 8–12 years (Generational).
3. Get an independent test of that car. Within the same model, AVILOO found SoH can differ by up to 13.5 percentage points between cars at similar mileage (AVILOO GmbH). Mileage alone is a poor guide: Generational found younger high-mileage cars often beat older low-mileage ones (Generational).
4. Check the battery warranty that remains – most UK terms run 8 years with a 70% capacity threshold, but mileage caps and thresholds differ (see each model page; Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf are different). Buying an MG, BYD, Polestar or other Chinese-brand EV? See the Chinese EVs battery guide.
5. Ask about charging history and use (taxi/private hire use can shorten warranties, e.g. Hyundai: 5 years / 100,000 miles, Hyundai Motor UK).
6. Use the result to negotiate. AVILOO estimates a 46 km real-world range gap between the best and weakest Model Y at 150,000 km (AVILOO GmbH).