Used-EV buying checklist
A used EV is often the cheapest way to drive electric — provided the battery is healthy.
Battery health (SoH)
Ask to see the State of Health (app, diagnostics, or a dealer report). Below ~85% SoH everyday range drops noticeably. More in the battery guide.
Charging history
Frequent fast-charging to 100% stresses the cells more. Ask about the typical charging pattern.
Warranty
Battery warranties usually run 8 years / 160,000 km to ~70% remaining capacity. Check the time left and whether it transfers.
Software & recalls
On the latest software? Any open recalls? Both are free to check.
Known model-year issues
25 documented model-year issues, the same list the car pages use — each with source and check date. "Covered" means a recall or warranty extension applies; checking by VIN is still on you.
Audi
ImportantHigh-voltage battery — cell defect, fire risk (KBA 14367R)Audi e-tron GT · reg. 2020–2023 · covered
Check: Check by VIN whether action 931A/931B (KBA 14367R) has been done. The facelift (built from March 2024) is outside the build window.
Source checked on 26 Sept 2026 · autoservicepraxis (12/2024) + kfz-betrieb (11/2024)
ImportantHigh-voltage battery — cell-module voltage loss, fire riskAudi E-tron 50 / e-tron 55 / e-tron Sportback · reg. 2018–2022 · covered
Check: Check by VIN whether action 93U9/93V2 (KBA 013462) has been done. Watch for loss of range or power; charge to 80 % max until checked.
Affected cars we show: Audi e-tron Sportback 55 S line quattro (2020–2022) · Audi e-tron 55 quattro (2020–2022)
Source checked on 26 Sept 2026 · auto motor und sport + autoservicepraxis (Audi e-tron Rückruf 93U9/93V2)
Citroen
ImportantBattery control unit — loss of drive (recall)Citroen ë-C4 / e-Berlingo · reg. 2022 · covered
Check: For model year 2022, check by VIN whether action JPD (KBA 012467) has been done.
Source checked on 26 Sept 2026 · auto motor und sport (Stellantis-Rückruf, 01.03.2023)
Cupra
ImportantHigh-voltage battery recall (KBA 16269R)Cupra Born · reg. 2022–2024 · covered
Check: Check by VIN whether recall 93S4 (KBA 16269R) has been done.
Affected cars we show: Cupra Born 150 kW - 58 kWh (2021–2024) · Cupra Born 170 kW - 77 kWh (2022–2024)
Source checked on 26 Sept 2026 · ADAC (Rückruf VW/Cupra, 25.03.2026)
DS
ImportantBattery control unit — loss of drive (recall)DS 3 E-Tense / Crossback · reg. 2022 · covered
Check: For model year 2022, check by VIN whether action JPD (KBA 012477) has been done.
Source checked on 26 Sept 2026 · auto motor und sport (Stellantis-Rückruf, 01.03.2023)
Ford
ImportantHigh-voltage main contactor overheats — loss of driveFord Mach-E · reg. 2020–2022 · covered
Check: Check by VIN whether action 23S56 (replacement of the high-voltage battery junction box) has been done — not only the earlier software update 22S41.
Source checked on 26 Sept 2026 · amz.de (Ford-Rückruf 23S56, 10/2023) + electrive (Erstrückruf 06/2022)
Hyundai
ImportantICCU failure (E-GMP)Hyundai Ioniq 5 · reg. 2021–2023 · covered
Check: Check the build date, and by VIN whether the ICCU recall was done (software update, part replaced where needed; US campaigns NHTSA 24V-204 and 24V-868). Some early cars that only got the software fix have failed again.
Source checked on 27 Sept 2026 · electrive (DE-Garantieverlängerung, 17.04.2026) + NHTSA 24V-204/24V-868 (Bauzeiträume)
ImportantICCU failure (E-GMP)Hyundai Ioniq 6 · reg. 2022–2024 · covered
Check: Check the build date, and by VIN whether the ICCU recall was done (software update, part replaced where needed; US campaigns NHTSA 24V-204 and 24V-868). A car built in 2024 can have either version — the build date decides.
Source checked on 27 Sept 2026 · electrive (DE-Garantieverlängerung, 17.04.2026) + NHTSA 24V-204/24V-868 (Bauzeiträume)
ImportantHigh-voltage battery — fire risk (KBA 16242R)Hyundai Kona Electric 39 / Kona Elektro 39 / Kona Electric 64 / Kona Elektro 64 · reg. 2018–2023 · covered
Check: Check by VIN whether recall 61D004 (KBA 16242R) has been done; for cars built up to 03/2020 also the earlier action 01D076 (KBA 010314) and whether the battery was replaced then (workshop record).
Affected cars we show: Hyundai Kona Electric 64 kWh (2021–2023)
Source checked on 26 Sept 2026 · ADAC (Rückruf Kona Elektro, KBA 16242R) + auto motor und sport (Rückruf 2021)
NoteICCU failure (E-GMP) — early buildsHyundai Ioniq 5 N · reg. 2024 · covered
Check: Check the build date (data sheet / VIN): built up to 04/2024 → check by VIN whether the ICCU recall was done (software update, part replaced where needed); built from 05/2024 → revised ICCU.
Affected cars we show: Hyundai IONIQ 5 N (2024–)
Source checked on 27 Sept 2026 · electrive (DE-Garantieverlängerung, 17.04.2026) + ADAC Autokatalog (Ioniq 5 N ab 03/24)
Jaguar
ImportantHigh-voltage battery — fire risk (recall)Jaguar I-Pace · reg. 2018–2023 · covered
Check: Check by VIN which battery recalls have been done (including H441; later H459/H471/H570) and whether a charge limit is active or the battery has already been replaced. Ask for the service history.
Affected cars we show: Jaguar I-Pace EV400 S AWD (2018–2020)
Source checked on 26 Sept 2026 · fahrzeug-karosserie.de (Vogel, KBA-Angaben, 07/2023)
Kia
ImportantICCU failure (E-GMP)Kia EV6 · reg. 2021–2023 · covered
Check: Check by VIN whether the ICCU recall was done (software update, part replaced where needed; US campaigns SC302/SC327). Some early cars fixed by software only have failed again.
Source checked on 27 Sept 2026 · electrive (DE-Garantieverlängerung, 17.04.2026) + NHTSA 24V-200/24V-867 (Bauzeiträume)
ImportantHigh-voltage battery — fire risk (KBA 16831R)Kia e-Niro · reg. 2020–2022 · covered
Check: Check by VIN whether recall 261261 (KBA 16831R) has been done and whether the battery assembly was replaced.
Affected cars we show: Kia e-Niro 64 kWh (2020–2021)
Source checked on 26 Sept 2026 · electrive (e-Niro-Rückruf 08/2026) + autoservicepraxis
Mercedes
ImportantSteering — water ingress (recall)Mercedes EQC · reg. 2019–2021 · open
Check: Check by VIN against the steering recall (harness replacement).
Affected cars we show: Mercedes EQC 400 4MATIC (2020–2023)
Source checked on 22 Jul 2026 · InsideEVs / car-recalls.eu (EQC Lenkungs-Rückruf)
ImportantHigh-voltage battery — fire risk, battery replacement (KBA 16136R)Mercedes EQA / EQB · reg. 2021–2024 · covered
Check: Check by VIN whether the new battery (KBA 16136R) has already been fitted. A software-only state (14775R) means throttled rapid charging and reduced capacity until the swap — allow for it on the test drive / charging test.
Affected cars we show: Mercedes EQA 250+ (2024–2026) · Mercedes EQA 350 4MATIC (2024) · Mercedes EQB 250+ (2024–2025) · Mercedes EQB 350 4MATIC (2024–2025)
Source checked on 26 Sept 2026 · ADAC (Rückruf EQA/EQB, 25.02.2026)
Nissan
ImportantFire risk when DC rapid charging (recall)Nissan Leaf · reg. 2019–2022 · open
Check: Check by VIN against the recall and ask for the fix status; until then charge on AC only. US campaign (RCAK-25V655) — check the German/KBA status specifically.
Affected cars we show: Nissan Leaf 40 Acenta (2018–2019) · Nissan Leaf 62 e+ Tekna (2019–2024)
Source checked on 22 Jul 2026 · InsideEVs (Leaf DCFC-Brand-Rückruf)
NoteBattery degradation (passively cooled)Nissan Leaf · reg. 2011–2024 · open
Check: Have the state of health / remaining capacity measured (not just the bars on the display) — most important on early 24 kWh cars (2011–2015). Check 2019–2022 cars by VIN against the rapid-charging fire recall.
Affected cars we show: Nissan Leaf 40 Acenta (2018–2019) · Nissan Leaf 62 e+ Tekna (2019–2024) · Nissan Leaf 24 (ZE0) (2012–2013)
Source checked on 22 Jul 2026 · Recurrent / RechargeD (Leaf-Degradation)
Opel
ImportantHigh-voltage battery — fire risk (LG cells)Opel Ampera-e · reg. 2017–2020 · covered
Check: Ask for proof that the battery modules were replaced under the recall (workshop invoice / VIN check with Opel). A car with the software fix only still has the charging limit.
Affected cars we show: Opel Ampera-e (2017–2018)
Source checked on 26 Sept 2026 · electrive (11/2020) + ecomento (Ausweitung 08/2021, Modultausch)
ImportantBattery control unit — loss of drive (recall)Opel Corsa / Mokka / Combo · reg. 2022 · covered
Check: For model year 2022, check by VIN whether action KEG has been done.
Affected cars we show: Opel Mokka Electric 50 kWh (2021–2022)
Source checked on 26 Sept 2026 · auto motor und sport (Stellantis-Rückruf, 01.03.2023)
Peugeot
ImportantBattery control unit — loss of drive (recall)Peugeot e-208 / e-2008 / e-308 / E-partner · reg. 2022 · covered
Check: For model year 2022, check by VIN whether action MDY (KBA 012475) has been done.
Source checked on 26 Sept 2026 · auto motor und sport (Stellantis-Rückruf, 01.03.2023)
Porsche
ImportantHigh-voltage battery — cell defect, fire risk (KBA 14389R)Porsche Taycan · reg. 2019–2023 · covered
Check: Check by VIN whether the battery action has been done (module check/swap) and whether the improved battery diagnostic software is installed. The facelift Taycan (built from March 2024) is outside the build window.
Source checked on 26 Sept 2026 · autoservicepraxis (12/2024) + kfz-betrieb (11/2024)
Renault
ImportantEuro NCAP 0 stars (2019+ facelift)Renault Zoe · reg. 2020–2024 · open
Check: Buy knowingly: the safety level is low by design (0 stars). There is no fix — if safety is a priority, consider an alternative.
Affected cars we show: Renault Zoe ZE50 R135 (2019–2024) · Renault Zoe ZE50 R110 (2019–2022)
Source checked on 22 Jul 2026 · Euro NCAP / InsideEVs (Zoe 0-Sterne-Retest 2021)
Tesla
ImportantSuspension — recallTesla Model 3 / Model Y · reg. 2019–2022 · open
Check: Check by VIN against the suspension recalls. Originally US campaigns (NHTSA 21V912 and others) — ask for the German/KBA status specifically; the affected parts are the same worldwide.
Affected cars we show: Tesla Model Y Maximum Range AWD (2022–2025) · Tesla Model Y Performance (2022–2025) · Tesla Model Y RWD (2022–2025) · Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD (2021–2023) · +3 more
Source checked on 22 Jul 2026 · RepairPal / Autoblog (Tesla Aufhängungs-Rückrufe)
NoteHeat-pump valve (Octovalve) sticksTesla Model 3 / Model Y · reg. 2021–2022 · open
Check: Check that the software update (22V026) is installed, and test the heating in the cold. Pre-2021 cars (resistive heating) are not affected.
Affected cars we show: Tesla Model Y Maximum Range AWD (2022–2025) · Tesla Model Y Performance (2022–2025) · Tesla Model Y RWD (2022–2025) · Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD (2021–2023) · +1 more
Source checked on 22 Jul 2026 · InsideEVs / Consumer Reports (Tesla Wärmepumpen-Rückruf)
VW
ImportantHigh-voltage battery recall (KBA 16271R)VW ID.3 / ID.4 / ID.5 / ID. Buzz · reg. 2023–2024 · covered
Check: Check by VIN whether recall 16271R (module check + software, module swap where needed) has been done.
Affected cars we show: VW ID.3 GTX Performance (2024–2026) · VW ID.4 Pro (2024–2026) · VW ID.4 GTX 4MOTION (2023–2025) · VW ID.5 GTX 4MOTION (2024–2026) · +2 more
Source checked on 26 Sept 2026 · ADAC (Rückruf VW/Cupra, 25.03.2026) + auto motor und sport (KBA-Zeitraum)
Total cost, not sticker price
Judge it on true total cost — not just price. Use the TCO calculator on any vehicle page.
Continue with real numbers: Cheapest EVs by total cost · Filter all cars · Compare models