Best used electric cars 2024

As electric cars become more commonplace, there’s a wider choice of second-hand models available. Here’s our pick of the best used electric cars right now

By Craig Cheetham Mar 11, 2024

Electric cars are rapidly becoming a common sight in the UK car market, with public acceptance and greater availability meaning prices are finally heading towards more affordable levels. 

This means it’s possible to get hold of increasingly good-value used car deals – with some of the oldest EVs on the market now around a decade old and available for a fraction of their original cost.

A combination of a wider choice of affordable new electric vehicles, even more affordable second-hand ones and increased range-per-charge figures make them a realistic prospect for more motorists, while an improved charging network is also helping to accelerate sales. 

There’s now a whole range of electric cars on the market that are capable of covering more than 200 miles from a single charge, but bear in mind that these are often the more recent models and with older used vehicles, the overall range will be shorter. Whatever you’re looking for, here are the best used electric cars available right now.

Kia Soul EV

Best used electric car for affordability
Our pick: Kia Soul EV
Read our full Kia Soul EV review

While you won’t find huge numbers of the Kia Soul EV on the used market thanks to its limited production and small sales in the UK, it’s well worth a look if you fancy a practical, inexpensive and cheerful used electric car. 

We love its bold, friendly styling and its practical interior, while equipment levels are decent. It gets heated leather seats, a reversing camera and an eight-inch touchscreen as standard. There’s plenty of space for the family, too, with only a small drop in practicality compared to a combustion-engined Kia Soul

Officially, the Kia Soul EV can travel 132 miles between charges, but it will be more like just over 100 miles in the real world. That’s a low range compared with more modern rivals, but will still suit many drivers. It’s been around since 2014, too, so there are older and cheaper models available compared with newer used electric cars.

   

Nissan Leaf

Best used electric car for familiarity
Our pick: Nissan Leaf 40kWh Acenta
Read our full Nissan Leaf review

The Nissan Leaf is the world’s most popular electric car, so there’s no shortage of choice on the used market. What’s the appeal? Part of the reason is that Nissan stole a march on the competition. Launched in 2010, the original Nissan Leaf had broad appeal, practicality and a reasonable price on its side.

The second-generation Nissan Leaf arrived in 2018 and delivered improvements in just about every department, so it’s this version that we would recommend. There are two batteries available - a 40kWh version that’s good for 168 miles, and a 62kWh Nissan Leaf e+ that offers a claimed 239 miles. Standard equipment includes a full suite of safety systems, an eight-inch touchscreen media system with sat-nav, climate control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

If you want a cheaper Nissan Leaf, then the Nissan Leaf 2010-17 model is worth a look, but bear in mind that it has a range of less than 100 miles in its earliest guises.

   

Hyundai Ioniq Electric

Best used electric car for all-round versatility
Our pick: Hyundai Ioniq Electric Premium
Read our full Hyundai Ioniq Electric review

The Hyundai Ioniq arrived in 2016, with the firm claiming it was the world’s first car to be planned from the start with three electrified engines – self-charging hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric. Of interest here is the Hyundai Ioniq Electric, specifically the updated version launched in 2019.

Thanks to a battery upgrade from 28kWh to 38.8kWh, the Hyundai Ioniq Electric is able to deliver a range of 194 miles. Using a 100kW fast charging station, the battery can be charged to 80% in less than an hour.

There are two versions: Premium and Premium SE. Both offer a generous level of standard equipment and are backed by an excellent unlimited-mileage five-year warranty. The Hyundai Ioniq Electric is far from exciting and some of the interior plastics feel a little low-rent, but it’s reasonably practical and pleasant to live with. The 38.8kWh model came with upgraded tech, including a larger 10.3-inch display, which makes it worth the extra outlay.

     

Volkswagen e-Golf

Best used electric car for hatchback functionality
Our pick: Volkswagen e-Golf 35kWh
Read our full Volkswagen e-Golf review

If you want your electric car to blend in to the crowd, the Volkswagen e-Golf is the car for you. It’s based on one of the world’s most popular cars so most onlookers would be hard-pressed to notice its green credentials – assuming it doesn’t have a charging lead plugged in, of course.

With the arrival of a new Volkswagen Golf in 2020 and the brand introducing a range of ID-badged electric models, there are now good deals to be found on the old Volkswagen e-Golf. It’s a sensible electric car at a sensible price.

With plenty to choose from, you get what’s essentially a standard Volkswagen Golf with a slightly smaller boot – due to the electric tech needed – and a range of 144 miles. It’s not quite as impressive as the Volkswagen ID.3 (which indirectly replaced the Volkswagen e-Golf), but it’s a lot cheaper.

  

BMW i3

Best used electric car for upmarket urban motoring
Our pick: BMW i3 120Ah
Read our full BMW i3 review

If the Volkswagen e-Golf is an electric car for shrinking violets, the BMW i3 is one for those who like to make a statement. Even today, well over a decade since launch, the BMW i3 looks futuristic.

It’s a similar story on the inside, with the BMW i3 showcasing a cutting-edge cabin finished with a range of recycled materials. It even features a pair of rear-hinged back doors.

Throw into the mix the fact that the EV is as fun to drive as a conventional BMW and you’ll see why it remains a favourite, even though it first appeared in 2013. It’s a tad more expensive than some of the other options on this list, but that’s less of an issue if you’re buying used. Go for a more recent version with the 120Ah battery for the best range – a touch under 200 miles according to official statistics, although more like 150 miles in the real world.

  

MG ZS EV

Best used electric car for outright value for money
Our pick: MG ZS EV Excite
Read our full MG ZS EV review

The MG ZS EV was one of the best-value electric cars when it made its debut in 2019, but with a range of around 170 miles, its appeal was more limited than some larger, more expensive rivals.

That all changed in 2021 with the introduction of a new long-range model. An increased range of up to 273 miles making it far more appealing for those who cover higher mileages. Build quality took an upswing with the facelift, too, transforming the MG ZS EV from an also-ran to a genuinely appealing contender.

Now those facelifted cars are available on the used market and they’re competitively priced. What you’ll get is a compact SUV for the price of a small car and one that comes with a generous level of standard equipment. If your budget doesn’t stretch to one of the newer models, don’t discount the old ones. They’re still competent and great value for money.

   

MINI Electric

Best used electric car for city slickers
Our pick: MINI Cooper Electric SE
Read our MINI reviews

If you want to look cool around town while also benefiting from zero tailpipe emissions and low running costs, there are few cars as effective at the job as the MINI Electric. 

Launched in late 2019, the battery-powered MINI featured the same electric power system as sister company BMW’s i3, which initially used a 32kWh battery and a 183PS motor, giving decent enough acceleration around town and a range of broadly 120 miles. While this was lower than some rivals, the MINI Electric was focused on city drivers and the smaller battery kept costs down.

You’ll get into a MINI Electric for well under £20,000 these days and there are few electric cars that are as fun to drive, thanks to the fantastic chassis and steering. Later models have an improved range of 144 miles, while the very latest version, introduced in 2023, claims 194 miles of range.

   

Audi e-tron

Best used electric car for image
Our pick: Audi e-tron 55 quattro
Read our full Audi e-tron review

Today, there’s an e-tron version of many of Audi’s models, but the German brand’s first all-electric car was badged as simply the Audi e-tron and was a medium-sized SUV, which offered sparkling performance and assured handling.

This was down to the firm’s quattro four-wheel-drive technology, which in the Audi e-tron came courtesy of an electric motor on each axle, giving a power output of up to 410PS. The output depends on whether you go for the 50 or the 55 version, with the more basic 50 offering a still lively 315PS. 

The Audi e-tron 50 has a 65kWh battery pack and the Audi e-tron 55 has an 84kWh unit, giving an overall range of 193 and 249 miles respectively. Used examples are in demand, but the car has been around long enough now for depreciation to have kicked in, meaning there are some pretty tempting bargains to be found. It's now been rebadged as the Audi Q8 e-tron.

      

Jaguar I-Pace

Best used electric car for driver appeal
Our pick: Jaguar I-Pace HSE
Read our full Jaguar I-Pace review

It won multiple awards when it made its debut in 2018 and although the Jaguar I-Pace’s 234-mile range may not sound as impressive today as it once did, the fact that you can buy one for less than a third of its original list price might. 

For that you get a devilishly quick and beautifully executed luxury SUV, packed with technology and comfort features. It’s a brilliant car to drive and you’ll never tire of its blistering performance. 

The difficulty is finding one. It was very expensive when new and was launched at a time where demand for electric models wasn’t as high as it is today, so early examples are few and far between. You can choose between HSE (luxury) and R-Dynamic (sports) trims, although the latter has a much firmer ride.

    

Smart EQ Forfour

Best used electric car for the city school run
Our pick: Smart EQ Forfour Pulse Premium
Read our Smart reviews

If you’re in the market for a small electric car that’s as inexpensive as possible then the Smart EQ Forfour is well worth a look. It shares its electric system with the Smart EQ Fortwo, but is a little larger and heavier, meaning it has a slightly smaller range of just under 100 miles. 

That means it’s no good for long journeys, but as an efficient small car for the school run or for pottering around the city, it has loads of appeal. The Smart EQ Forfour uses an 82PS electric motor between the rear wheels, with a 17.6kWh battery pack housed under the floor making it surprisingly spacious – compared with most city cars, it has decent cabin space and even larger teenagers will be comfortable in the back. 

Standard equipment levels are good with alloy wheels, rear parking sensors and a Smart Media System with Mirror Link and Android Auto on all models.