Database / Used EVs

Used EVs: battery health, warranties & buying guide

The battery is the engine, transmission, and fuel tank of a used EV — it's where the money is. Below: published degradation rates by model, battery warranty terms for all 43 brands, and a 15-point buying checklist. Every figure is sourced; estimates are labeled as estimates.

Battery degradation by model

Published annual capacity-loss rates, with an estimated range after 5 years computed from each model's EPA figure. Where sources disagree, both are shown.

Fleet averages (all models)

• Geotab 2024: 1.8%/yr (source) — Geotab fleet telematics, ~10,000 EVs across 11 models. Top performers ~1%/yr. Fleet-wide average only — not per model. DISAGREEMENT vs Geota
• Geotab 2026: 2.3%/yr (source) — Geotab fleet telematics, 22,700+ EVs across 21 makes/models. Light cars averaged 2.0%/yr, MPVs/vans 2.7%/yr. Fleet-wide average only — per-m
• Recurrent 2026: 1.0%/yr (source) — Recurrent (via InsideEVs, 2026): average EV retains 97% of original range after 3 years and 95% after 5 years, i.e. ~1.0%/yr RANGE retention

Battery warranty by brand

US battery warranty terms as published by each manufacturer. "Not published" means the brand states years/miles but no capacity-retention floor — the warranty may only cover outright failure.

The 15-point used-EV checklist

1. Get a battery state-of-health (SOH) report. SOH — the percentage of original capacity remaining — is the single most important number on a used EV. Ask for a BMS diagnostic scan; refusal to provide one is a warning sign.
2. Check the DC fast-charging history. Geotab's study of 22,700 EVs found frequent high-power DC fast charging drove degradation toward ~3.0%/yr vs ~1.5% for mostly AC charging — but Recurrent's analysis of 13,000 Teslas found no significant difference. Treat heavy fast-charge use as a yellow flag, not a dealbreaker.
3. Verify the battery warranty in writing. Confirm the start date, remaining miles, transferability to you as the second owner, and whether it covers capacity loss or only total failure.
4. Prefer sellers that publish battery results. Some certified programs issue battery health certificates stating SOH as a percentage. Ask for the exact inspection result, not just the badge.
5. Compare full-charge range to the original EPA figure. Have the car fully charged and compare displayed range to the original window-sticker number, allowing for age. A much bigger drop than expected points to a weak pack.
6. Inspect the tires — EVs eat them faster. Fleet data shows EVs needing tires far earlier than gas cars. Check tread depth, confirm EV-rated tires for the car's weight, and budget for a set.
7. Check brakes for corrosion, not just wear. Regen means pads last ages, but disused rotors corrode. Look for pitted or seized rotors, especially on older cars.
8. Check the 12V auxiliary battery. A dead 12V bricks an EV even with a full traction pack. Ask for a 12V health test; slow screen boot and random warnings are early signs.
9. Confirm the charging equipment is included. Used EVs often arrive without the portable charging cord or adapters. Verify what's in the trunk and price replacements before signing.
10. Confirm port and connector compatibility. The industry is mid-transition to NACS. Map the car's ports against where you'll actually charge — home, work, public routes.
11. Check for software-locked or subscription features. Some capabilities are paywalled per-VIN. Verify exactly what's enabled on this car, not what's on the brochure.
12. Run a title, accident, and flood history check. Flood damage is especially dangerous in EVs — water intrusion can compromise high-voltage components.
13. Check open recalls by VIN. Search the free NHTSA recalls database. Unaddressed recalls are the seller's problem to fix first.
14. Review the service records. Look for battery repairs, prior pack or module replacements, and collision repairs near the pack or charging hardware.
15. Know the battery replacement math before you buy. Pack replacements typically run $5,000–$20,000+ installed. On an older car, compare a worst-case pack price against the asking price.

Common questions

Degradation figures: Geotab telematics reports, AVILOO certified battery report, Tesla Impact Report, Recurrent Auto — linked per row. Warranty terms: manufacturer warranty booklets, verified October 2026. Terms change; confirm with the manufacturer before buying.