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How to check a used VW ID.3 or ID.4 battery before you buy (UK)

Published 2026-10-29 · Last updated 2026-10-29 · based on 45 sourced ID.3 and ID.4 data points and 23 sources

The ID.3 and ID.4 share the same platform, battery family and warranty, and both have large published test datasets. This guide covers how to tell which battery a car has, the UK battery recalls from 2025–2026, the 8-year warranty, and how to compare a test result with tens of thousands of tested cars.

All figures with method and date: used ID.3 battery data · used ID.4 battery data. Going to a viewing? Make a printable list of questions for the seller (ID.3, ID.4).

1. Identify the battery

EV Database listings, checked 2026-10-29. Each battery size was sold in several model years; the table shows one listing per size. All are NMC batteries on a 400 V system.

Trim names changed over the years, so go by the battery size on the V5C, the advert or the service book, not the badge. A health figure only means something when you compare it with data for the same battery.

2. Check the battery recalls

When we downloaded DVSA's recall file on 2026-10-28, it listed four high-voltage battery recalls for the ID.3 and ID.4 (DVSA):

• R/2026/150 (12 March 2026, ID.3): some battery cells may lose charge faster than normal (increased self-discharge) because of a production fault, and the yellow warning lamp may come on. The affected modules are checked and replaced if needed; until then the car may only be charged outdoors and up to 80%. It lists 2,260 UK ID.3s built between 24 October 2022 and 25 April 2025.
• R/2026/397 (14 October 2026, ID.3 and ID.4): batteries from a certain supplier may have components that don't meet VW's standards, and in rare cases the battery may overheat at a high charge level. Until the car has been checked, it should only be charged to 80%, and warning stickers go on the car. It lists 604 ID.3s built 12 September 2022 – 15 May 2024 and 55 ID.4s built 21 November 2022 – 29 October 2024.
• R/2026/398 (14 October 2026, ID.4): the same issue; a workshop reads a diagnostic log and lifts the 80% limit if the battery is normal, otherwise the affected modules are replaced. It lists 24 ID.4s built 15 January – 17 September 2024.
• R/2026/046 (29 December 2025, ID.3): a battery module may not meet quality standards, which could cause noticeable range loss, the warning lamp or overheating; modules are checked and replaced. It lists 2 ID.3s built July – October 2023.

Run the free GOV.UK recall check on the registration (GOV.UK). If the car is affected, ask whether the work has been done and for the dealer's record. A car that is still limited to 80% will show less range on a test drive, and a battery test taken before the repair may not reflect the battery after it.

3. Check the battery warranty

Volkswagen UK covers the high-voltage battery of every ID. model for 8 years or 100,000 miles from first registration (whichever comes first): if a VW authorised repairer measures less than 70% of the original energy content, it is repaired or replaced. The warranty passes to later owners. (Volkswagen UK, checked 2026-10-29; Volkswagen UK)

• The warranty runs from handover to the first customer or first registration, whichever is earlier. The 70% is measured by a Volkswagen authorised repairer, not by a third-party test.
• A warranty repair brings the battery back to at least 78% of its starting energy content up to 3 years or 40,000 miles, 74% up to 5 years or 60,000 miles, and 70% up to 8 years or 100,000 miles, depending on the car's age and mileage when it is diagnosed (Volkswagen UK).
• VW's terms exclude loss caused by unauthorised work on the battery, not charging or maintaining it as the owner's manual says, fire, or excessive water such as pressure-washing the battery.
• Volkswagen says an Approved Used electric VW gets a multipoint check and a battery health certificate (Volkswagen UK). If you're buying from a VW dealer, ask for it.
• Our battery warranty checker works out the time and mileage left (All ID. models (UK): 8 years / 100,000 miles, below 70%).

4. Get an independent reading

A VW workshop can read the battery's health with its diagnostic tool (ODIS), and owners read the battery's energy content with OBD apps. Owner reports in our data include 3 VW workshop or dealer readings, for example 92.0% on an ID.3 Pro Max 58 kWh (11/2021) at 24,309 km (meinID.com VW ID Forum wiki, n=1); 91.0% on an ID.4 (4.5 years old) at 70,000 km (Bolidenforum.de, n=1); 87.0% on an ID.4 1st Max 77 kWh (06/2021) at 105,069 km (meinID.com VW ID Forum wiki, n=1). On one ID.4 in a German forum thread the dealer reported 91% and an AVILOO test of the same car showed 93% (Bolidenforum.de).

Different methods give different numbers, so compare like with like: an AVILOO result with AVILOO data, a VW reading with VW readings. AVILOO calculates SoH with its own method rather than copying the car's figure (AVILOO GmbH). Ask for the software version and update history – ADAC noted range stayed nearly constant thanks to efficiency updates even as capacity fell. (Volkswagen Newsroom) Test options and prices are on our buying guide, and how to read a battery health certificate explains each field.

5. Compare the result with what's normal

AVILOO medians are the middle value of tested cars at that mileage; the band shows where the central 99% of cars fall. Riddermarks and Carla are averages from dealer tests.

• One car over 220,000 km: ADAC's long-term ID.3 Pro S, often charged to 100% and rapid-charged, measured 96.0% at 21,749 km and 89.0% at 220,158 km (≈136,800 mi), with AVILOO Premium tests (±3 points) (ADAC). It is a single car, but it shows a slow, steady decline rather than a sudden drop.
• At 150,000 km the central 99% of tested cars ran from 85.0% to 95.7% (ID.3) and 83.4% to 94.9% (ID.4), so a good model average doesn't guarantee a good car.
• 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).
• Compare both with other models on the battery degradation chart, or get a quick estimate with the battery health estimator.

Single cars reported by owners and testers (n=1)

Single cars measured with different methods (owner OBD readings, VW workshop tests, AVILOO, DEKRA, TÜV, Moba). They show the spread, not an average. Every row is also on the ID.3 and ID.4 data pages.

Also see: general used-EV battery checklist · EV battery glossary · Hyundai IONIQ 5 battery check · battery problem after buying: your rights (UK) · all models compared.

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.

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