Where Can I Buy a Used Electric Car?
If you want to save money on your electric car purchase, then you might want to consider buying second-hand. Many drivers who want to go green and drive an environmentally friendly vehicle are often discouraged by the high price of electric cars. But it is possible to drive a zero-emission EV without having to spend a big chunk of your savings. Read on if you want to know more about where to buy used electric cars in the UK.
Used Car Dealership
Before visiting a used car dealership, do some research and think about the makes and models you like. You can easily do this online. This step gives you an idea of the price range of certain electric cars and will help you in setting your budget for the purchase. Now, the next step is to know which used car dealerships you want to visit. If you’re not sure, you can also rely on the internet by using search terms like “ used electric car dealers near me” or “best used electric car dealers + your city”. Check out the price you can expect to pay for a used electric car.
Once you’re at the dealership, you might be overwhelmed by your options. It’s important to keep in mind that you should not to make any rash decisions because this is one big purchase, and you’d want to make the right choice for your needs. If you’ve narrowed down your choices, schedule a test drive. Any car can look beautiful and elegant, but a test drive will tell you if it’s in good working condition and if it’s the right fit. But don’t stop there. Perform a thorough check on the used electric car before the purchase. In case you’re not sure how to do this, it would be a good idea to hire an EV auto mechanic to perform the inspection.
Online Used Car Market
One of the great things about shopping online for a used electric car is you’re not limited to the dealership in your town or city. This means you have a wider range of options and better chances of finding used EVs at more affordable prices. It’s completely possible to shop for a car online, make the payment, and then have the car delivered to you. You never have to set foot in the physical showroom if you don’t want to. But it would be a good idea to go and view similar models first if you can.
If you haven’t done this before and you’re worrying about how secure this transaction will be, know that the UK has strong laws on consumer protection for online car buyers. If there are any issues, you have the right to return the car and get a full refund because of a money-back guarantee on this type of online purchase. Of course, you can avoid all the hassle of this process by looking for the most trusted online used EV sellers. Check the reviews, the terms and conditions, warranties, and other important details.
A downside of buying a used electric car online is you won’t be able to test drive it if the showroom’s far away. But generally, online sellers check and inspect the cars thoroughly before delivering them to buyers. You can expect that a reputable online car seller has inspected all parts of the car, from the paintwork to the mechanical parts, history, documents, etc. Also, with a money-back guarantee, you have a certain period to test the car and make sure that you’re happy with your purchase. Take advantage of that so you know for certain that it has no issues that would compromise your safety.
Private Seller
Buying a used electric car from a private seller is perhaps the best way to save money on the purchase. It’s typically easier to haggle with a private car seller than with a dealership, and that’s just one of its many advantages. However, you still have to be careful because you will not be getting the same level of protection as a consumer, in the way you would if you buy from a dealership.
So, what’s the first step in finding a used EV that’s being privately sold? You may see lots of ads in local newspapers, noticeboards in supermarkets, or even on social media posts or motoring forums. You can still search online using terms like “used electric car for sale near me”. This will give you thousands of results, so you may want to be more specific in your search terms. Try to add the type of car you’re looking for and the city you’re in.
When looking at the ads for used electric cars, it’s important to check that the essential details are there, such as make and model, engine name and size, trim level, standard equipment and other features, number plate year identifier, type of paint finish and colour, MOT details, service history, where you can view the car, contact information, asking price, and clear photos of the vehicle.
The car should be viewed at the private seller’s home, where the address matches the V5 logbook of the car. If the vendor doesn’t do this, simply walk away because it won’t be a good deal for you. Make sure that the car is within the property of the vendor because some fraudsters would wait on the pavement just outside the property to trick you into thinking that they can legitimately sell the car. Ask for proof of identity and car documents that you can check to ensure that all details about the car and the owner match. An honest seller wouldn’t mind providing all this.
And last but not least, and very importantly, make sure you perform a full HPI check on the vehicle so that you know it doesn't have outstanding finance. Read more about HPI Checks before buying a car.
Is it worth buying a used electric car?
If you want to save money on an electric car purchase, buying a used one is the easiest route to take. However, you have to be careful every step of the way. Whether you’re buying from a used car dealership, online car market, or private seller, you need to be on guard and prepared, so dishonest sellers won’t take advantage of you. This means doing extensive research, being thorough on all the necessary checks on the car and its documents, and also practising your bargaining skills. It will take more time, energy, and effort, but if you are willing to do all this, then you will definitely save a lot of money. 👍😀
