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How to check a used Kia e-Niro or Niro EV battery before you buy (UK)
Published · Last updated · based on 12 sourced e-Niro / Niro EV data points and 21 sources
Independent tests suggest the e-Niro's battery wears slowly, and it's one of the best-scoring used EVs in dealer data. Two things still catch buyers out. The car's own battery figure often reads 100% when an independent test doesn't, and a 2026 recall covers first-generation cars built between May 2020 and March 2022. Here's how to check both, and what a normal result looks like.
All e-Niro figures with method and date: used Kia e-Niro battery data. Going to a viewing? Make a printable list of questions for the seller.
1. Work out which Niro it is
| Version | Battery (usable / gross) | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| e-Niro 64 kWh first generation, about 2019–2022 | 64.0 / 67.5 kWh (gross estimated) | 294 cells, NMC622 chemistry. Most of the independent data on this page is for this version. | EV Database, [2] |
| e-Niro 39 kWh first generation | 39.2 / 42.0 kWh (gross estimated) | 180 cells. We have no independent data for this battery yet. | EV Database |
| Niro EV 64.8 kWh second generation, 2022 on | 64.8 kWh | New body. Not part of the 2026 battery recall. | Ny Teknik / Riddermarks Bil, electrive.com |
Battery sizes and cell counts from EV Database (UK listings, checked 2026-10-27). Gross figures are EV Database estimates.
2. Check the 2026 battery recall (campaign 261261)
Kia has recalled first-generation e-Niro cars built between 19 May 2020 and 18 March 2022: 14,117 cars worldwide, 11,331 of them in Europe (electrive.com, reported 2026-08-06). The EU Safety Gate alert explains the reason. The battery management system (BMS) may not detect micro-shorts between cells, which could cause overheating and a fire while the car is parked or charging (European Commission Safety Gate). The fix is a BMS software update and a battery inspection, and if damage is found the whole battery is replaced free (electrive.com).
UK position: when we downloaded DVSA's full recall file on 2026-10-27, it listed no e-Niro high-voltage battery recall and no campaign 261261. The one e-Niro entry, R/2023/121, is about a coolant leak in the power electronics unit (EPCU), not the battery (DVSA). The Safety Gate alert names Ireland but not the UK (European Commission Safety Gate). That doesn't tell you whether a UK car is affected, so:
- Run the free GOV.UK recall check on the registration (GOV.UK).
- If the car was built in the recall window, ask a Kia dealer to check the VIN for open campaigns, including 261261. Imported cars from Ireland or the EU are worth checking in particular.
- Ask for the paperwork. If the battery was updated, inspected or replaced, the invoice or job card shows what was done and when.
3. Don't rely on the car's own SoH figure
Owners read the e-Niro's SoH with an OBD app such as EVNotify, or get it from a Kia dealer (GoingElectric forum, [2]). Owners in one German forum thread say Kia's value tends to stay near 100% for a long time (GoingElectric forum). In another, posters doubt the OBD reading is accurate (GoingElectric forum). UK AVILOO certificates that print both numbers show the gap:
| Car | Mileage | Car's own (BMS) SoH | AVILOO SoH | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niro EV 64.8 kWh, UK car (another) | 5,158 mi | 94.0% | 95.5% | Car360 |
| e-Niro 64 kWh, UK car | 32,016 mi | 100.0% | 97.4% | Car360 |
| Niro EV 64.8 kWh, UK car (fourth) | 34,745 mi | 100.0% | 97.8% | Car360 |
| Niro EV 64.8 kWh, UK car | 43,366 mi | 100.0% | 97.5% | Car360 |
| e-Niro 64 kWh, UK car (another) | 48,573 mi | 97.0% | 94.8% | Car360 |
| Niro EV 64.8 kWh, UK car (third) | 50,004 mi | 100.0% | 97.3% | Car360 |
The car's figure was higher on 5 of 6 certificates, and it read 100% on 4 cars that AVILOO put at about 97–98%. These are single cars, not a study, but a 100% reading on a car with tens of thousands of miles proves very little. AVILOO works out SoH with its own algorithms rather than copying the car's number (AVILOO GmbH). Ask for an independent test, or for a recent certificate with the odometer shown. Prices are on our buying guide, and how to read a battery health certificate explains each field.
4. Compare the result with what's normal
| Group | Mileage | SoH | Sample | Source (date) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niro EV 64.8 kWh | avg 45,762 km ≈ 28,435 mi | 98.1% | n=82 average | Ny Teknik / Riddermarks Bil (2026-06-18) |
| e-Niro 64 kWh | avg 84,685 km ≈ 52,621 mi | 96.2% | n=207 average | Ny Teknik / Riddermarks Bil (2026-06-18) |
| e-Niro 64 kWh | >100,000 km ≈ 62,137 mi | 97.3% | multi-car average of cars above 100,000 km | Carla AB (2026-07-08) |
| Niro EV 64.8 kWh, UK car (another) | 8,301 km ≈ 5,158 mi | 95.5% | n=1 AVILOO | Car360 (2026-03-27) Single car (n=1). Published mileage 5,158 miles. Car's own BMS SoH on the same certificate: 94%. |
| e-Niro 64 kWh, UK car | 51,525 km ≈ 32,016 mi | 97.4% | n=1 AVILOO | Car360 (2026-01-16) Single car (n=1). Published mileage 32,016 miles. Car's own BMS SoH on the same certificate: 100%. |
| Niro EV 64.8 kWh, UK car (fourth) | 55,917 km ≈ 34,745 mi | 97.8% | n=1 AVILOO | Car360 (2026-08-25) Single car (n=1). Published mileage 34,745 miles. Car's own BMS SoH on the same certificate: 100%. |
| Niro EV 64.8 kWh, UK car | 69,791 km ≈ 43,366 mi | 97.5% | n=1 AVILOO | Car360 (2026-03-09) Single car (n=1). Published mileage 43,366 miles. Car's own BMS SoH on the same certificate: 100%. |
| e-Niro 64 kWh, UK car (another) | 78,171 km ≈ 48,573 mi | 94.8% | n=1 AVILOO | Car360 (2026-03-18) Single car (n=1). Published mileage 48,573 miles. Car's own BMS SoH on the same certificate: 97%. |
| Niro EV 64.8 kWh, UK car (third) | 80,474 km ≈ 50,004 mi | 97.3% | n=1 AVILOO | Car360 (2026-03-31) Single car (n=1). Published mileage 50,004 miles. Car's own BMS SoH on the same certificate: 100%. |
| e-Niro 64 kWh (MY2020, reg. 11/2021) | 23,000 km ≈ 14,292 mi | 99.8% | n=1 owner-reported | GoingElectric forum (post dated 2022-11-27) Owner-reported, n=1, 2022-11-27. Mostly 4 kW home charging. Owners in the thread note Kia's SoH value often stays near 100% for a long time. |
| e-Niro 64 kWh (built 03/2021) | 30,000 km ≈ 18,641 mi | 97.8% | n=1 owner-reported | GoingElectric forum (post dated 2023-08-17) Owner-reported, n=1, 2023-08-17. Owner had read 96.2% with EVNotify a month earlier. Mostly 11 kW home charging. |
| Niro EV (one car) | 40,000 km ≈ 24,855 mi | 100.0% | n=1 owner-reported | GoingElectric forum (post dated 2026-03-04) Owner-reported, n=1, 2026-03-04 ("almost 40,000 km"). Other posters in the thread doubt that the OBD SoH is accurate. |
Riddermarks and Carla report AVILOO tests done by Swedish dealers. Single cars (n=1) are examples, not averages, and owner-reported figures are the car's own readings. Every row is also on the e-Niro data page.
- The Kia e-Niro topped Carla's 2026 Swedish ranking of battery health after more than 100,000 km (97.25% average). (Carla AB)
- Riddermarks found 99.6% of the 64 kWh cars it tested above 90% SoH, so an independently tested e-Niro below 90% would be unusual. Ask why, and compare it with other cars.
- As a rule of thumb for all EVs, 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).
- For a quick estimate at a given mileage, use the battery health estimator.
5. Check how much battery warranty is left
Kia UK: EV battery covers a minimum capacity of 70% for 84 months / 100,000 miles (cars registered up to 31/12/2023) or 96 months / 100,000 miles (registered from 01/01/2024), whichever comes first. 26MY-on terms: 80% for 60 months/60,000 miles and 70% for 96 months/100,000 miles. The warranty transfers to each new owner as long as it hasn't expired. (Kia UK, checked 2026-10-27)
- For a car registered up to the end of 2023, the 7-year limit has already passed if it was first registered before October 2019. Check the first registration date on the V5C, not the model year.
- The threshold is 70% of original capacity. Cars in the data above are far from it, so the warranty is a safety net rather than a likely claim.
- Our battery warranty checker works out the time and mileage left (Registered up to 31 Dec 2023: 7 years / 100,000 miles, 70%; Registered from 1 Jan 2024: 8 years / 100,000 miles, 70%).
Also see: general used-EV battery checklist · questions to ask an e-Niro seller (printable) · Hyundai Kona Electric battery check & recalls · Kona Electric battery data · Kia EV6 battery data · all models compared.
Sources used on this page
21 sources · 12 data points: 3 from non-AVILOO methods, 9 measured with AVILOO tests.
- Large test datasets (2 sources, 3 data points): Ny Teknik / Riddermarks Bil, Carla AB
- Single-car tests (6 sources, 6 data points): Car360, [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]
- Owner-reported (3 sources, 3 data points): GoingElectric forum, [2], [3]
- Manufacturer (1 source): Kia UK
- Other (specs, guides, news, surveys) (9 sources): electrive.com, European Commission Safety Gate, DVSA, GOV.UK, EV Database, [2], [3], AVILOO GmbH, ADAC
Owner-reported and listing values are single cars (n=1) read from the car, an app or an OBD tool – useful examples, not averages. Range-retention figures (Recurrent) measure range, not capacity. Full details: methodology & all sources.
We are not paid by the battery-test providers mentioned on this page. Links marked "paid link" in the "Useful products and services" box are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Get this specific car tested
We are not paid by these test providers. How we make money.
Model averages can't tell you about the car in front of you. An independent battery test (typically a short OBD plug-in test, some remote) gives an SoH figure and often a certificate you can use when negotiating.
- AVILOO – Independent OBD-based battery test (FLASH / Premium) with certificate; available via partners in the UK and EU.
- Generational – UK OBD plug-in test with certificate (SoH, range, remaining warranty, cell balance); sold through dealers and independent mobile testers.
- Moba – Postal OBD kit: you run the test yourself and post the box back for a digital battery certificate (Europe – check vehicle support and delivery country).
Prices change – check the provider's site. Provider names are used for identification only.
Useful products and services
- Charging cable: check that the car comes with its charging cable(s) at the viewing. If one is missing, replacements are sold separately: e-Niro charging cables at EV King paid link.
- Tyres: check tread depth and wear at the viewing. To price replacements, search by the size printed on the tyre wall: car tyres at Tyres UK paid link.
- Parts and tools: wiper blades, bulbs, 12V batteries and tools for the car you buy: GSF Car Parts paid link (UK).
Some links are paid links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This never changes the battery data we show (disclosure).
FAQ
Is the Kia e-Niro battery recall (campaign 261261) a UK recall?
Kia's campaign 261261 covers first-generation e-Niro cars built between 19 May 2020 and 18 March 2022: 14,117 cars worldwide, 11,331 of them in Europe (electrive, 2026-08-06). The EU Safety Gate alert lists measures in Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Norway and several other countries. When we downloaded DVSA's recall file on 2026-10-27, it did not list an e-Niro battery recall or campaign 261261. If the car was built in that window, ask a Kia dealer to check the VIN for open campaigns.
What does the e-Niro battery recall fix involve?
According to electrive, the battery management software is updated (about 30 minutes) and the battery is inspected. If damage is found, the whole battery is replaced free of charge, which can take up to 6 hours. The second-generation Niro EV (2022 on) is not affected.
Can I trust the SoH figure an e-Niro shows on an OBD app?
Treat it as the car's own estimate. On 6 UK AVILOO certificates that also printed the car's own figure, the car's number was higher than AVILOO's on 5 and read 100% on 4. Owners on a German forum also say Kia's figure tends to stay near 100% for a long time. An independent test is the better guide.
What is the Kia e-Niro battery warranty in the UK?
Kia UK: EV battery covers a minimum capacity of 70% for 84 months / 100,000 miles (cars registered up to 31/12/2023) or 96 months / 100,000 miles (registered from 01/01/2024), whichever comes first. 26MY-on terms: 80% for 60 months/60,000 miles and 70% for 96 months/100,000 miles. Kia says the warranty transfers to each new owner as long as it hasn’t expired.
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