Guide and tips
Car purchases are rarely spontaneous, especially in times of geopolitical uncertainty and the mobility transition. The future belongs to electric cars, while combustion engines are being phased out. As new electric vehicles are expensive, the used car market for electric cars is becoming increasingly important.
Hardly anyone buys a car on the spur of the moment, but rather with careful consideration. Especially in times of geopolitical uncertainty and in the face of what is probably the biggest mobility revolution since the invention of the petrol engine: the era of the combustion engine is coming to an end and the future belongs to electric vehicles. However, as brand-new electric vehicles are comparatively expensive, one area is becoming increasingly important: the used car market for electric cars!
But the question arises: is it a good idea to buy a used electric car?
When it comes to buying a second-hand car, in addition to the general tips on used cars for electric cars, there are additional and sometimes even fundamentally different aspects to consider.
Even experts cannot accurately assess the condition of a battery by visual inspection alone. Philipp Wollenweber from TÜV NORD explains the process and the important aspects:
The battery is the heart of an electric vehicle, and failure is considered a total economic loss. A new battery, including installation, can quickly become as expensive as a used mid-range car. Many people worry about this when considering switching to an electric car.
One solution: repair instead of replace! In most cases, it's not the entire battery that's broken. A battery consists of several modules and it is often enough to replace the damaged ones - which is of course cheaper.
Manufacturer warranties for electric cars are becoming increasingly generous: the time frame is often eight years, during which a battery performance of usually 70 to 80 per cent is guaranteed. As a rule, the warranty is vehicle-related. However, some manufacturers require a waiver of claims if the car goes on the used car market.
Even the best battery is useless if the charging technology does not work or the charging options are limited. The following points should therefore be clarified before buying a used electric vehicle:
The brakes of electric cars can be problematic, as defects are often found during general inspections. This is due to recuperation, which recovers kinetic energy during braking and reduces the load on conventional brakes. This can reduce the friction coefficient of the brake pads and cause rust. Drivers of electric cars should therefore regularly brake hard to heat up the brake system and avoid such problems. When buying a used electric car, it is important to check the brakes carefully, as a new set can be expensive.
Since 2020, there have also been subsidies for used electric vehicles. However, with many restrictions and only until the end of 2024:
Wallboxes for the home are currently (July 2023) no longer subsidised nationwide by the KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau). However, some federal states and local authorities do offer support. It may therefore be worth researching this.
In addition, owners of electric vehicles can earn several hundred euros a year with the greenhouse gas reduction quota (GHG) bonus. It is a reward for the fact that electric vehicles do not emit anyCO2 into the environment locally. Although the bonus decreases year on year in line with the improving energy mix, it is to be paid out until at least 2030.
The greenhouse gas reduction quota (GHG quota) is a climate protection instrument of the German government to gradually reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector. Since 2022, private households, businesses and fleet operators have also been able to apply to the Federal Environment Agency for the GHG quota.
Until now, used electric cars were rather rare and expensive compared to vehicles with combustion engines. Although the supply is still limited, the market is changing. In the coming months, more leased cars will enter the market. On the other hand, electric cars are likely to be increasingly offered from private ownership, as the average holding period for passenger cars in Germany is around ten years and electric vehicles have stepped out of their niche since around 2012.
Stronger new car sales are also always a positive signal for the corresponding remarketing of the existing fleet.
When buying a used electric vehicle, it is important to consider electric-specific criteria in addition to the usual vehicle checks:
There is currently no state subsidy for the purchase of used electric cars. The environmental bonus was discontinued on 18 December 2023 and no new applications can be submitted since then.
However, the German government is planning to introduce a new purchase premium from 1 January 2026, which will also apply to used electric vehicles. A subsidy of up to 4,000 euros is planned for vehicles with a net list price of less than 45,000 euros. Households with a gross annual income of up to 45,000 euros are eligible for the subsidy. This measure aims to make the switch to electromobility more socially equitable.
Please note that the exact details and conditions of the subsidy have not yet been finalised. It is advisable to follow the latest information on official websites such as the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection or the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA).
The value stability of used electric cars is currently limited. According to current data, the residual value of a three-year-old electric car averages 50.3% of the new price, which represents a significant decline compared to 61.5% at the beginning of 2023. By comparison, petrol and diesel cars in the same age category continue to achieve residual values of over 60%.
Some models, particularly from the luxury segment, have suffered even greater losses in value in recent years. For example, the residual value of a Jaguar I-Pace up to four years old fell by more than €23,000 between January 2022 and December 2024.
This rapid decline in value is influenced by several factors:
However, this also represents an opportunity for buyers: the current market offers attractive prices for used electric cars. Vehicles from former company fleets are particularly recommended, as they are often well maintained and still come with manufacturer warranties.
