Best used electric cars: our seriously cheap picks for 2026

Looking to buy a second hand car and tempted by an EV? As this guide to the best used electric cars demonstrates, there are some outstanding bargains to be had for those ready to make the switch.  

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) claims used electric car prices have fallen significantly in the past few years due to oversupply and weak demand. 

While that’s a headache for fleet operators and dealers, the upside is some juicy bargains for motorists looking for a used car on a tight budget.  

What’s more, with fewer moving parts and complex mechanical bits, electric cars should be cheaper to own and run. Many of the EVs in our affordable used EVs list are still under the manufacturer’s battery warranty and should still have plenty of range. 

That’s why the time is right to buy a used electric car before values begin to rise. Whether you’re looking for a cheap used runabout or a luxury EV bargain, our guide covers all the bases. 

You might also want to check out the cheapest electric cars available to buy or lease new.

Best used electric cars: The shortlist

• Nissan Leaf
• BMW i3
• MG 5
• Vauxhall Corsa-e/Corsa Electric
• Jaguar I-Pace
• Tesla Model 3
• Skoda Enyaq
• BMW iX3
• Porsche Taycan
• Mercedes-Benz EQS

Nissan Leaf

Price: from £1,700    Range: 124-155 miles (official when new, depending on version)

It’s hard to believe that the sort of budget that buys you a rusty, polluting old banger can get you into a smooth-driving, eco-friendly electric car. But the popularity of the original Nissan Leaf means there are plenty around at near rock-bottom prices.

Before you rush out and buy one, though, it’s worth remembering that these early 24kWH Leafs didn’t have the longest of ranges when they were new. After well over a decade of use, you could see anything from 100 miles from a charge in stop-start urban driving (where EVs perform best) to below 50 miles on the motorway. There is a 30kWh model that ups the range further, but the smaller battery will be ideal for those who only need a car for short local trips.

Batteries degrade over time, so it’s useful that Nissan provided a ‘State of Health’ display in the dials that starts from 12 bars when the car was brand new. For the earliest Leafs, anything over 8 bars is good, though an electric car service is well worth it for peace of mind. For those with short commutes or school runs the original Leaf is spacious, comfortable and well-equipped, if far from exciting.

BMW i3

Price: from £5,000   Range: 80-192 miles (official when new, depending on version)

If you’re on the hunt for a used EV bargain, now is a great time to consider the radical BMW i3. Its forward-thinking design seems to look better now than it did when new, and although practicality is a bit limited we love its high quality, futuristic interior. It’s good fun to drive, too, although there are more comfortable alternatives.

A budget of just £5,000 will get you into an early i3. The mileage will be temptingly low, too, but bear in mind that’s because these early 23kWh versions had a range of just 80 miles when new – and it’ll probably be even less now.

Upping the budget a little will get you in a ‘REx’ range-extender hybrid, with a little two-cylinder petrol engine giving a more usable range. The battery was upgraded to 33kWh in 2017 for a 114-mile EV range (from £7,000) and again to 42kWh and 173 miles in 2019 (from £8,500).

MG 5

Price: From £7,000    Range: 250 miles (official when new)

Even today there are only a handful of electric estate cars available, but back in the day there was only one: the MG 5. If practicality, value and a decent range are your key used EV criteria, then don’t be fooled by the bland stying: the MG is a surprisingly good all-rounder.

These MG estates are also comfortable and seem to be proving reliable, so it’s no surprise that they became a favourite of private hire and fleet drivers and many have over 100,000 miles on the clock.

Even entry-level SE trim comes with loads of kit including as adaptive cruise control and keyless entry, and you’ll get around 250 miles from a charge with the 57kWh battery. You’ll need just £7,000 for a 2021 model with 100,000 miles, while £15,000 gets you a facelifted 2022 model with around 25,000 miles.

Vauxhall Corsa e/ Corsa Electric

Price: from £8,000    Range: 222 miles (official when new)

If the BMW i3 is a bit too ‘out there’ for you, then the affordable Corsa e (later renamed the Corsa Electric) is a much more sensible bet. It’s a touch more practical, too, while also going further on a charge than even the biggest battery i3.

Although hardly likely to get your neighbours curtains twitching, the Corsa is comfortable, offers good performance and comes with plenty of standard kit. It’ll also enable you to complete longer motorway journeys than the cheaper EVs on this list without anxiety over range and charging.

Just under £8,000 will get you in a 2020 SE Nav model with 65,000 miles on the clock, while £10k gives you a pick of higher specs and lower mileage. It’s worth also checking out the Peugeot e-208, which is the same car under the skin but with funkier looks and a plusher cabin.

Jaguar I-Pace

Price: From £10,000      Range: 292 miles (official when new)

Jaguar put its heavily traditional reputation to bed with the I-Pace, its first ever fully electric production car, in 2018. Arriving well before many rival EVs (including the Tesla Model 3) the I-Pace was a true forward-thinking moment from the British brand.

With a striking design, a high quality interior and a surprisingly sporty driving position, the I-Pace also delivers on the road with keen handling, a comfortable ride and plenty of performance. All versions have 400hp and a 0-62mph time of under five seconds, while also offering an impressive range on a charge for an EV of this vintage.

Originally a £65,000+ car, I-Pace values have plummeted since it went out of production. It’s now possible to pick a high mileage early models for below £10k. While that may be tempting, pre-2020 I-Paces are known to have issues with the high voltage battery and electrical system – so buy with care.

Tesla Model 3

Price: From £12,500    Range: 254-348 miles (official when new, depending on version)

You cannot ignore a Tesla if you’re looking for a used electric car with a long range. Once the most popular electric car on the market (before Tesla’s own Model Y came along) the Model 3 is an impressive amount of car for the money thanks to excellent efficiency, market-leading technology, strong performance and a spacious interior.

You’ll find thousands of Model 3s for sale at any given time, and just £12,500 will get you in a 2019 Standard Range Plus with around 100,000 miles. Officially that’ll achieve up to 254 miles on a charge, but £15,000 will get you in a Dual Motor Long Range with a 348-mile range and a 0-60mph time of well under five seconds.

Skoda Enyaq

Price: From £15,000   Range: 246-339 miles (official when new, depending on version)

If you need more practicality than all of the above cars offer and don’t mind paying for the privilege, may we direct you towards the capable Skoda Enyaq. It’s got oodles of interior space and a big boot, while also being comfortable, nice to drive, well-equipped and efficient.

You’ll need a budget of around £15,000 to get in a 60 model with 85,000 miles (and a 246-mile range), while £18,000 gets you in a similar mileage 80 model with an impressive 339-mile range.

BMW iX3

Price: from £16,000   Range: 288 miles (official when new, depending on version

The BMW iX3 is the perfect used electric car for those who don’t feel the need to shout about zero emissions motoring. In fact, you’d be hard pushed to tell it apart from the petrol or diesel-powered X3, bar some different badges and grille designs.

It’s also nearly identical to the X3 inside, and that’s no bad thing because it’s very high quality, well equipped and has easy to use technology. What’s more, a 288-mile range is respectable, and the iX3 is quite efficient for a posh electric SUV.

The driving experience is where the iX3 is in a different league to similarly priced EVs like a used Tesla Model Y. It combines a comfortable, controlled ride with impressive agility and very little body lean, and although it isn’t the fastest EV it should have plenty of performance for most people’s needs.

Porsche Taycan

Price: from £30,000      Range: 230-300 miles (official when new, depending on version)

If it’s performance you’re after from an electric car, then who better to turn to than Porsche? The Taycan arrived in late 2019 and redefined what a sporting EV should feel like, setting a driving standard few have been able to beat since.

Even entry-level Taycans offer engaging handling, serious performance and decent comfort. But opting for a Turbo or Turbo S model takes acceleration to an extreme level with 0-62mph times well below three seconds. Really, lesser variants are more than fast enough for UK roads.

The Taycan also has a solid interior, great tech and super-fast charging. But its temptingly low used prices come with risks: there are several outstanding recalls to fix serious battery and software issues, and it’s well worth investing in an RAC vehicle inspection to ensure everything is working as it should be.

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Price: from £35,000       Range: 409-481 miles (official when new, depending on version)

While Porsche’s high-end electric car focused on performance, the range-topping Mercedes-Benz EQS went all out on luxury. And that makes sense, because it’s meant to be an electric alternative to the all-conquering Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

With its curvy design and luxurious, tech-laden interior, the EQS is a very nice place to spend time in. And you can spend a lot of time in one thanks to its massive battery options. Even the entry-level 350 manages over 400 miles of range on a charge, while the latest 481-mile EQS 450+ remains one of the longest-range electric cars money can buy.

The EQS’s main rival is the imposing BMW i7. And while that car is better to drive, it doesn’t go as far on a charge. And, crucially, even the cheapest used i7 is nearly double the price of the cheapest EQS. Yes, that’s right – it’s possible to get into a three-year old EQS with 75,000 miles for less than a new A-Class. Now that’s value.