What Buyers Need to Know Before Purchasing Used EVs

Used electric vehicles are suddenly the most searched category in Australia’s second-hand car market, and the timing is no coincidence. Fuel costs have crossed thresholds that are genuinely changing purchase behavior. The used EV segment was already building momentum well before prices at the pump became a daily grievance. Pickles, one of the country’s largest automotive auction platforms, has seen triple-digit growth in EV-related searches over the past month alone.

Second-hand EVs accounted for a small slice of overall used car sales in 2025. Their growth rate of nearly 65% year-on-year left every other category behind. Close to half a million electric vehicles are now registered on Australian roads. Corporate and government fleets that electrified early are turning over their vehicles, putting well-maintained, low-mileage EVs onto the market at significant discounts to their original prices.

Depreciation has created real opportunities for buyers interested in used electric cars. Dr Chris Jones, former head of the National Electric Vehicle Association, has been tracking the used EV market closely. Fleet returns typically carry remaining warranty and arrive priced well below their original cost, he said.

Models that originally sold for around $60,000 are available in the $31,000 to $38,000 range with low odometer readings. Values could move unpredictably given current demand, he noted, but cheaper new models entering the market will eventually push resale prices lower.

Battery condition is the question most prospective buyers lead with, and the data is more reassuring than many expect. A large-scale review of used EVs by Pickles found average battery capacity above 90% after 120,000 kilometers (74,500 miles) of driving. Dr Jones attributed that durability to intensive manufacturer investment in battery management systems.

Longevity, he said, was always going to be the test of whether consumers would trust the technology. An independent battery health assessment can be completed in minutes for around $250, with mobile services available.

Warranty coverage is worth examining carefully before committing to a used EV purchase. A significant number of newer models remain covered under factory warranties that transfer to subsequent owners. Battery-specific coverage typically extends longer than the general vehicle warranty. Specifics vary by brand and model year.

When buying privately, Dr Jones recommended asking the seller about charging habits and how often fast-charging was used. Keeping batteries below full capacity regularly can extend longevity on certain battery types.

Dr Jones was characteristically blunt about the overall case for used EVs. He said the persistent fear of battery failure in second-hand EVs does not reflect how these cars have actually performed in the real world. Electric motors, he added, have proven similarly robust, with very few moving parts and limited failure modes beyond catastrophic electronics.

For most Australian families running multiple vehicles, he argued, the case for electrifying at least one has become very difficult to counter.

While the discussion above centered on the Australian auto market, similar trends are likely to become apparent in other major global markets like the U.S. where electric vehicle makers like Lucid Motors (NASDAQ: LCID) are based.

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