Is buying a used electric car worth it?
While used EVs can offer lower running costs than their internal combustion engine counterparts and access to newer technology, it’s important to understand what used EV ownership might look like beyond the forecourt.
From battery health and charging to reliability and repair costs, there are several important factors worth considering before you buy a used EV.
As more used EVs enter the second-hand market, here at Warrantywise we’re beginning to build a clearer picture of their long-term reliability. While the market is still relatively young, our repair data provides an early indication of the issues drivers may encounter, with these trends likely to evolve as more EVs age and accumulate mileage.
Whether you’re buying your first electric car or simply weighing up the pros and cons, this guide answers the questions drivers ask most. Using emerging repair data, expert insight and practical advice, we’ll help you understand what to expect from used EV ownership and make a more informed buying decision.
Will my EV battery fail?
While EV drive battery (high-voltage battery, the one that actually makes the car move) failures often attract the most attention, our data indicates that electrical, charging and suspension-related components appear more frequently in repair requests.
That’s not to say EV drive battery failures don’t happen. While they didn’t feature among our top 5 most common repair requests, the average repair request for an EV drive battery in our data was £6,435.38, highlighting the potential cost when issues do arise.
For drivers considering a used EV, our data suggests reliability isn’t defined by a single component. Understanding what these components do, along with both their average and highest recorded repair costs, can help build a clearer picture of long-term EV ownership.
What are the 5 most common EV repairs and their costs?
The most common EV repair requests in our dataset span electrical, charging and suspension systems, highlighting the broad range of components that can require attention over time.
| Position | Failure area | Failure part | Average repair request (cost) | Most expensive repair request (cost) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical system | Sensors | £809.59 | £3,270 |
| 2 | Electrical system | Central locking mechanism | £899.44 | £4,056.82 |
| 3 | EV | Onboard charger | £2,158.75 | £10,454.98 |
| 4 | Suspension | Wishbones | £1,229.64 | £4,118.65 |
| 5 | Electrical system | Auxiliary battery (12v/48v) | £532.94 | £986.15 |
What should I look out for when buying a used EV?
One of the clearest findings from our data is that EV reliability is not defined by a single component, nor are the most common repair requests necessarily EV-specific. While concerns about EV battery (drive battery) failures often feature prominently in discussions about EV reliability, these did not appear among our five most common repair requests.
Instead, the following systems and components appeared more frequently in our repair request data:
- Sensors
- Central locking mechanisms
- Charging systems
- Suspension components
- Auxiliary battery (12v/48v)
As more EVs age and accumulate mileage, these repair trends are helping to build a clearer picture of long-term ownership and the potential repair costs.
Like any used vehicle, it’s worth checking the overall condition of these systems alongside the vehicle’s battery health and service history if you are planning an EV purchase in the near future.
For those who already own an EV and are planning to keep it beyond the manufacturer warranty period, this may also include considering whether an EV extended warranty is right for them.
“It’s still early days for EV repair data, but some interesting trends are starting to emerge. While EV battery failures often receive the most attention, our repair data suggests they’re only part of the story. We’re seeing a broader range of electrical, charging and suspension-related components requiring repairs, highlighting the importance of understanding the overall ownership experience rather than focusing on a single component.”
EV drive battery performance:
While drivers may understandably be concerned about EV battery-related issues, our data suggests they are not amongst the most common EV repair requests.
£6,435.38
The average cost of an EV drive battery repair request in our dataset.
Key takeaway:
EV drive battery repairs did not feature among our most common EV repair requests.
What this means:
EV drive battery failures aren’t the most common EV repair request, but they can be among the most expensive.
Although EV drive battery repairs did not appear among our most common repair requests, the average repair cost in our dataset is £6,435.38.
Our data suggests that while drive battery repairs remain an important consideration for EV owners, other components are more likely to require attention over the course of ownership.
This may be reassuring for drivers concerned about major EV battery failures, although the potential costs involved still make battery health an important consideration when buying a used EV.
What are EV battery (high-voltage) warranties?
Many EV manufacturers provide a warranty for the vehicle’s drive battery during the early years of ownership. Once this warranty comes to an end, drivers may wish to consider how they would manage the cost of any future battery-related repairs.
Warrantywise offers optional EV battery (high-voltage battery) support in our EV Plan, while EV battery support is listed as standard with our EV+ Plan. You can read more about our EV warranties here.
What is listed in a Warrantywise EV warranty?
For some motorists, an EV extended warranty can help to manage the cost of ownership once manufacturer support has ended. Warrantywise offers two dedicated EV warranty plans, providing different plan levels depending on your vehicle’s age and mileage.
EV Plan
For vehicles up to 15 years old and under 150,000 miles.
- Drive battery (optional addition)
- Parts are replaced in pairs
- Car hire
- Onward travel & expenses
- Plan begins from day 1
- Diagnostics
EV+ Plan
For vehicles up to 4 years old and under 40,000 miles.
- Drive battery
- Parts are replaced in pairs
- Car hire
- Onward travel & expenses
- Premature failure
- Diagnostics
- In-car entertainment
Our plans are designed to provide support throughout the EV ownership experience.
Are EV repairs more expensive than petrol and diesel?
Comparing EV repair costs with petrol and diesel cars isn’t a like-for-like comparison. EVs use different technologies and specialist components; while labour rates, parts availability and repair complexity can all influence repair costs.
Our data shows that the average EV repair cost increased by 10.7% between 2024 and 2025. This may reflect a combination of factors, including:
- Inflation
- Increased demand
- More EVs entering the market
As the used EV market continues to mature, repair costs may also be influenced by:
- Vehicle age
- Repair complexity
- Parts availability
- Labour requirements
Industry estimates suggest specialist EV labour rates are often higher than those charged for petrol and diesel vehicles, reflecting the additional training and equipment required:
| Vehicle type | Typical independent labour rate |
|---|---|
| Petrol & diesel | £55-£95 per hour |
| Electric vehicle | £70-£140 per hour |
Summary: EV hourly rates are typically 27%-47% higher than ICE (internal combustion engine) rates, based on figures from Garages and Recovery.
As the EV market continues to develop, specialist labour is likely to remain an important factor influencing repair costs, particularly where advanced skills and equipment are required.
What happens when the manufacturer warranty ends?
Many EVs on UK roads are still relatively young. However, as increasing numbers reach five to seven years old and beyond, repair patterns are likely to evolve as mileage accumulates and ownership periods increase.
This shift is already being reflected in the growing used EV market, with Warrantywise recording a 68.2% increase in EV extended warranty sales between 2024 and 2025.
This doesn’t mean EVs become unreliable once their manufacturer warranty ends. However, as vehicles move beyond manufacturer support, drivers may wish to consider how they would manage the cost of unexpected repairs.
How can an extended warranty support EV drivers?
As more EVs move beyond their manufacturer warranty periods, drivers may begin to consider how they’ll manage the cost of unexpected repairs.
While our data suggests EV drive battery-related repairs are less common than many drivers might expect, insights show that a wide range of electrical, charging and suspension-related components may require attention over time.
For some EV owners, an extended vehicle warranty can help manage the financial impact of unexpected repair bills once manufacturer support has ended. It can also help to simplify the repair process, with Warrantywise working directly with garages wherever possible.
Speak to one of our friendly warranty experts to find out whether an EV warranty could be right for your electric vehicle. Start your quote online today or call our team on 0800 001 4990.
EV FAQs.
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Sensors, central locking mechanisms, on-board chargers, wishbones and control arms are among the most common EV repair requests in Warrantywise data.
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Drive battery related repairs didn’t appear in our most common EV repairs, although they can be costly when they occur.
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EV repairs can be expensive due to specialist systems and components involved. Warrantywise data recorded a 10.7% increase in average EV repair costs between 2024 and 2025.
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Once a manufacturer warranty ends, motorists are typically responsible for repair costs, which is why some choose an extended warranty plan.
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Modern EVs rely heavily on sensors to monitor vehicle performance, battery operation and safety systems, making them a critical part of everyday vehicle operation.
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Central locking mechanisms control the locking and unlocking of the vehicle’s doors, boot and, in some cases, charging port.
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The on-board charger converts electricity during the charging process and plays an important role in everyday EV ownership.
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These components help connect the suspension system to the vehicle chassis, supporting vehicle stability, handling and ride comfort.
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The auxiliary battery is a smaller 12-volt battery that powers many of the vehicle’s everyday electrical functions, including lighting, central locking, infotainment systems and onboard electronics.
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One important distinction is that most electric vehicles contain two batteries, and each serve a different purpose and vary greatly in cost to fix. Understanding the difference can help drivers better assess repair risks and ownership costs.
EV battery (high-voltage battery):
The high-voltage battery that powers the vehicle.
EV auxiliary battery:
A smaller 12-volt battery that powers functions such as lighting, locking systems, infotainment and vehicle electronics.
EV data disclaimer
*Based on EV repair requests assessed by Warrantywise between January 2023 and January 2026. As EV volumes remain lower than petrol and diesel vehicles, results are more sensitive to model mix and individual high-value repairs and should be treated as directional. Repair costs are based on repair requests, and some costs may include multiple related components. Average repair request values reflect the period analysed. All data is sourced from Warrantywise’s proprietary repair database.
This information is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as financial, legal or purchasing advice. Repair costs and trends are based on Warrantywise repair request data and may not reflect the experience of every vehicle, model or owner.