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Best cheap second-hand electric cars in 2024

Electric cars are getting more popular by the day, and it’s easy to see why. EVs are cheap to run, relaxing to drive and easy to maintain thanks to their lack of complex moving parts under the bonnet.

One barrier you may be facing, though, is the initial cost of purchasing an EV, because new ones can be quite expensive. Well don’t fret, because a quick look at the used market will reveal a healthy handful of electric cars which won’t break the bank. 

With this in mind, here are our top 10 cheap used electric cars for 2024:

MG MG4 EV

1. MG4

9/10
MG MG4 EV review
Battery range up to 329 miles

What's good

  • Impressive value for money
  • Looks fantastic
  • Genuine fun to drive

What’s not so good

  • Fiddly infotainment system
  • Poor rear visibility
  • Lets in a fair bit of road noise
The MG4 hasn’t been around for long, but there are already plenty of bargains on the used market. This funky-looking electric hatchback can be yours for as little as £17,000, over £10,000 less than the price from new.

It’s a great EV to drive, even managing to be pretty fun to throw through corners, and you get a good amount of range as well. It may not be as refined as some alternatives, but the low price should be enough for you to look past this.

What's good

  • Impressive value for money
  • Looks fantastic
  • Genuine fun to drive

What’s not so good

  • Fiddly infotainment system
  • Poor rear visibility
  • Lets in a fair bit of road noise
MG MG 5 EV
Battery range up to 250 miles

What's good

  • Lots of equipment
  • Decent boot size
  • Great to drive around town

What’s not so good

  • Bland looks
  • Equally uninspiring interior design
  • Lets in a fair amount of wind noise
The MG5 is one of the only all-electric estate cars on the market, and it’s a proper bargain when you buy used. You can have a 2021 model for as little as £12,500, and this gets you plenty of kit and great practicality.

It may be pretty dull to look at, and the interior isn’t the most high-quality either. This can be forgiven though at this price, and it’s a comfortable car to waft around town in.

What's good

  • Lots of equipment
  • Decent boot size
  • Great to drive around town

What’s not so good

  • Bland looks
  • Equally uninspiring interior design
  • Lets in a fair amount of wind noise
Tesla Model 3

3. Tesla Model 3

9/10
Tesla Model 3 review
Battery range up to 436 miles

What's good

  • Very fast
  • Massive range
  • Loads of tech

What’s not so good

  • Can be awkward using the screen for everything
  • German saloons still higher quality
  • Controls can be a little fiddly
It may seem like an odd car to have on the list of cheap used EVs, but you can pick up a Tesla Model 3 for less than £20,000 these days. When you consider how much tech you get it looks like a very tempting proposition.

Going for a Tesla also gets you access to the brand’s excellent Supercharger network, and the Model 3 is a comfortable cruiser with great driving range. Some might struggle with the minimalist dashboard layout, but if you can get past this then the Model 3 is a great all-rounder.

What's good

  • Very fast
  • Massive range
  • Loads of tech

What’s not so good

  • Can be awkward using the screen for everything
  • German saloons still higher quality
  • Controls can be a little fiddly
Renault Zoe

4. Renault Zoe

8/10
Renault Zoe review
Battery range up to 245 miles

What's good

  • Cheap to buy and run
  • Lots of the latest tech
  • Impressive electric range

What’s not so good

  • Interior feels cheap in places
  • Cramped back seats
  • Fast charging capability costs extra
It may have been around for a while now, but the Renault Zoe still makes a lot of sense for used EV buyers. A three- to four-year-old model with low miles can be yours from around £12,000.

All versions of the Zoe are well-equipped, but what really impresses is the range. The Zoe can do up to 239 miles on a charge, which is more than some much more expensive options such as the Ora 03. It's just a shame that the back seats are a bit cramped.

What's good

  • Cheap to buy and run
  • Lots of the latest tech
  • Impressive electric range

What’s not so good

  • Interior feels cheap in places
  • Cramped back seats
  • Fast charging capability costs extra
Nissan Leaf

5. Nissan Leaf

6/10
Nissan Leaf review
Battery range up to 239 miles

What's good

  • E+ models have a good range
  • Plenty of clever safety kit
  • Good boot space

What’s not so good

  • Sluggish infotainment system
  • Interior feels a bit cheap in places
  • Alternatives are roomier in the back
The Nissan Leaf was one of the first mainstream electric cars, and the latest version is a very practical and capable family hatchback. You can now get a 2018 model for under £11,000, making it a very tempting option.

Go for the Tekna model and you can enjoy features like heated leather seats , Apple CarPlay and cruise control. It may not be the most posh-feeling hatchback when you step inside, but there is plenty of space on offer and the range is pretty respectable as well at up to 168 miles.

What's good

  • E+ models have a good range
  • Plenty of clever safety kit
  • Good boot space

What’s not so good

  • Sluggish infotainment system
  • Interior feels a bit cheap in places
  • Alternatives are roomier in the back

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Kia Niro EV

6. Kia Niro EV

8/10
Kia Niro EV review
Battery range up to 285 miles

What's good

  • Easy and relaxing to drive
  • Standard kit is generous
  • Refinement is excellent

What’s not so good

  • The EV costs more than other versions
  • Not as roomy as a Sportage
  • Not very exciting
But what if you want a family-friendly SUV? Well the Kia Niro EV is just that. It may not set your pulse racing, but this is one of the most sensible used EVs you can buy thanks to its excellent practicality, generous equipment and up to 280 miles of range.

Between £16,000 and £18,000 buys you a well-specced 2020 e-Niro, and at this age it’ll still have three years of its seven-year warranty left - as long as it hasn’t crossed the 100,000-mile barrier.

What's good

  • Easy and relaxing to drive
  • Standard kit is generous
  • Refinement is excellent

What’s not so good

  • The EV costs more than other versions
  • Not as roomy as a Sportage
  • Not very exciting
BMW i3

7. BMW i3

8/10
BMW i3 review
Battery range up to 188 miles
It looked like a spaceship when it came out, and the BMW i3 could still pass as a concept car today. Beyond its head-turning looks, the i3 also has a lovely interior and the infotainment system is really easy to use.

Used i3s can be picked up for as little as £12,000 if you go for a 2017 model, making it pretty appealing to EV newbies. Just be aware that the boot is quite small.
Citroen e-C4

8. Citroen e-C4

7/10
Citroen e-C4 review
Battery range up to 260 miles

What's good

  • Distinctive looks
  • 100kW charging is standard
  • Same space inside as regular C4

What’s not so good

  • Modest real-world range
  • Not that affordable
  • Lots of body roll in the bends
If you’re after a comfy EV for not a lot of cash, the Citroen e-C4 is well worth a look. A three-year-old example can be yours from as little as £15,000, and it’s one of the most comfortable electric cars you can buy for that sort of money.

It may not offer the best driving range, but the distinctive looks and spacious interior make up for this. It’s also well-equipped as standard, with all models getting amenities such as Apple CarPlay, cruise control and 18-inch alloy wheels.

What's good

  • Distinctive looks
  • 100kW charging is standard
  • Same space inside as regular C4

What’s not so good

  • Modest real-world range
  • Not that affordable
  • Lots of body roll in the bends
Volkswagen e-Golf

9. Volkswagen e-Golf

7/10
Volkswagen e-Golf review
Battery range up to 144 miles
The Volkswagen e-Golf is an electric hatchback which flies very much under the radar. The predecessor to the Volkswagen ID3 looks almost identical to a normal Golf, and it’s quiet and comfortable to drive.

This excellent electric all-rounder starts from around £12,000 for a 2018 model. The 144-mile range may not sound too impressive on paper, but it should be plenty for most people’s daily commutes.
Hyundai Ioniq electric

10. Hyundai Ioniq Electric

6/10
Hyundai Ioniq electric review
Battery range up to 193 miles
Sticking with Korean brands for a minute, the Hyundai Ioniq Electric has a lot going for it. You can get one of these spacious hatchbacks for less than £15,000 if you look at 2020 models, and it can get as much as 190 miles on a charge.

It may not be too exciting, but the Ioniq Electric is easy to drive and hugely practical thanks to its massive boot and spacious back seats. Equipment is pretty decent as well, with Apple CarPlay coming as standard.

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Advice about buying a used electric car

Cheap used electric cars FAQs

Ignoring the Citroen Ami - that’s classed as a ‘heavy quadricycle’, not a car - the Renault Zoe can be found on the used market for under £6,000. You’ll be looking at a 2015 model for this price, and you’ll be hard pushed to find anything cheaper.

If you’re after the best bang for your buck, the Nissan Leaf is a difficult car to ignore. With prices starting from under £11,000, you get a practical and comfortable family hatchback with decent range and loads of clever safety tech.

Aside from the usual used car checks, you’ll want to make sure the battery of your cheap used electric car is in good health. EV batteries will degrade over time, meaning you get less range than the car had when new. 

Most electric cars will have a battery health indicator within the infotainment system, and this will tell you the percentage capacity your battery has left, similar to the tool you have on your smartphone. You can also compare the car’s range estimation to the claimed range figure to get an idea of your battery’s condition.