UK switching to electric vehicles discussion

[E27007]

It should be under warranty - Peugeot offer an 8 year warranty on the traction battery

Let us hope the vehicle service record is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the baterry warranty

 

[Bletchleyite]

Was with a friend last night who has owned his used 3 year old Peugeot EV for about 3 months. He was in a courtesy car after the electrics developed problems. Started with some issues with eletrical ancilliaries, then warnings whilst it was charging.

He has been told from the diagnostics it may be uneconomical to repair as they suspect a problem with the main battery.

To be fair, as many people buy an ICE car and then the cambelt or head gasket goes the next day despite having not been due for replacement, causing serious damage to the engine. Any expensive, complex machine that isn't in warranty bought used can sometimes prove a serious financial error.

(Yet in this case, unlike any ICE that isn't a Kia with their 7 year cover, if it is the battery it should be under warranty...)

The discussion isn't "are EVs absolutely perfect", it's "is it viable to switch to EVs" - if the same magnitude of issue could and is just as likely to occur with an ICE car, then that's not an issue as far as this thread is concerned.

 

[MicroLithium]

Let us hope the vehicle service record is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the baterry warranty

The terms seem to merely require a complete service history, and not dealer service (obviously only a dealer will do the warranty repair work). Buying any used car, regardless of propulsion method, without that is a gamble and should come with a suitable price reduction

 

[Sun Chariot]

Is there a reliable and sub-£18k (1-2 years old) D-segment EV car of estate car or crossover (not SUV) style? To fit my 6' 6" frame, our 6+ foot son and a 40kg German Shepherd safely in the back?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Is there a reliable and sub-£18k (1-2 years old) D-segment EV car of estate car or crossover (not SUV) style? To fit my 6' 6" frame, our 6+ foot son and a 40kg German Shepherd safely in the back?

Possibly the MG5, being the cheapest large EV going? Though you will want to sit in one and see if you fit, because I think at 6' 6" whether you fit or not will depend on your exact proportions of body vs. upper leg vs. lower leg. I at a particularly heavily built 6' 4" do fit but only just, for what it's worth. It looks cheap and it feels cheap (looks a bit like a mid-2000s Astra I'd say) but it's fairly well regarded in practicality and reliability terms as far as I have heard - a lot of EV for not much money.

It's a real shame the MG4 Estate didn't happen. I really like the MG4 but want a bigger car than the hatch, if it did I'd go out and buy one tomorrow. My current most likely EV purchase when I next change (as I'm pretty sure I will go EV then) is a Skoda Enyaq IV which is half way between estate and SUV, you could either see it as a particularly high estate or a particularly low SUV, sort of a bit like a smaller version of a Pug 5008, but while one of those might suit you in terms of the car the price won't, at one to two years old you're still over 30 grand.

 

[Bald Rick]

Is there a reliable and sub-£18k (1-2 years old) D-segment EV car of estate car or crossover (not SUV) style? To fit my 6' 6" frame, our 6+ foot son and a 40kg German Shepherd safely in the back?

MG5 estate. 2 year old models, low milesge, going for £14-16k

 

[Sun Chariot]

Thanks @Bletchleyite and @Bald Rick I'll pop to the local MG dealership, to try MG5 for size.
I tried a 1 year old MG HS and I was not at all impressed at its sheer number of scratched and scuffed surfaces. I did fit (just) though (rugby-playing youth, mid-50s shoulders & legs still wide, stomach too!).

 

[bspahh]

Thanks @Bletchleyite and @Bald Rick I'll pop to the local MG dealership, to try MG5 for size.
I tried a 1 year old MG HS and I was not at all impressed at its sheer number of scratched and scuffed surfaces. I did fit (just) though (rugby-playing youth, mid-50s shoulders & legs still wide, stomach too!).

Its worthwhile checking new cars today that are out of your budget. If you find a model that fits, you can then keep an eye on the second prices until they match your budget.

Its also good to take a copy of the sales literature when the cars are brand new, in paper or PDF format, to get details on the specifications which can be hard to find for used cars a few years down the line.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Thanks @Bletchleyite and @Bald Rick I'll pop to the local MG dealership, to try MG5 for size.
I tried a 1 year old MG HS and I was not at all impressed at its sheer number of scratched and scuffed surfaces. I did fit (just) though (rugby-playing youth, mid-50s shoulders & legs still wide, stomach too!).

Worth noting the MG5 is no longer available new so you might want to check they have a used one in. The car supermarkets are another option, they tend to have them (though if buying from one of those there is the risk it might have been a taxi and those are worked very hard - I'd be suspicious that a high mileage one might have been, also look for shadows on the dash where stuff like no smoking stickers might have been).

 

[trebor79]

Already decided my next car will be EV. It'll be a few years until our trusty diesel is run into the ground, by which time the small amount of range anxiety I have about the way we use our car will be resolved most likely.

Depending upon your mileage it may be more economically sensible to make the switch now, as the running costs are so much lower, particularly if you do high mileages.
And please ensure the filthy diesel is scrapped when you are finished with it .

Was with a friend last night who has owned his used 3 year old Peugeot EV for about 3 months. He was in a courtesy car after the electrics developed problems. Started with some issues with eletrical ancilliaries, then warnings whilst it was charging.

He has been told from the diagnostics it may be uneconomical to repair as they suspect a problem with the main battery.

Meh. Warranty. Some engines fail too in the warranty period.

 

[jon0844]

Was with a friend last night who has owned his used 3 year old Peugeot EV for about 3 months. He was in a courtesy car after the electrics developed problems. Started with some issues with eletrical ancilliaries, then warnings whilst it was charging.

He has been told from the diagnostics it may be uneconomical to repair as they suspect a problem with the main battery.

There are now more and more specialists that work on EVs and can fix what main dealers can't (or won't as frankly they don't seem particularly bothered and may well not have technicians suitably trained). It sounds like, assuming it isn't a warranty claim, that can be an option to fix problematic issues that may not be the norm.

It's not like any ICE car hasn't ever had similar issues with faults that can be a bit*h to find and fix. I know this because I've owned many cars with issues that were hard to diagnose and caused a main dealer loads of headaches. Fortunately their inability to fix the issue resulted in me enjoying many nice loan cars for the duration.

 

[trebor79]

Worth noting the MG5 is no longer available new so you might want to check they have a used one in. The car supermarkets are another option, they tend to have them (though if buying from one of those there is the risk it might have been a taxi and those are worked very hard - I'd be suspicious that a high mileage one might have been, also look for shadows on the dash where stuff like no smoking stickers might have been).

Yes the MG5 is a pretty decent car.
We bought an id4 recently from a car supermarket. Had earlier test driven one at a back street place but didn't buy that one as it had indeed been a taxi, still traces of sticker glue on the dash, and they'd forgotten to remove some power cabling for the meter etc. I have seen a few id4 taxis.
Tbh ot wouldn't really put me off if came with a proper battery health certificate.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yes the MG5 is a pretty decent car.
We bought an id4 recently from a car supermarket. Had earlier test driven one at a back street place but didn't buy that one as it had indeed been a taxi, still traces of sticker glue on the dash, and they'd forgotten to remove some power cabling for the meter etc. I have seen a few id4 taxis.
Tbh ot wouldn't really put me off if came with a proper battery health certificate.

Check warranties too. Kia doesn't apply the full 7 year warranty to any car that has ever been a taxi, though I don't remember exactly what the restriction is.

 

[Bald Rick]

Worth noting the MG5 is no longer available new so you might want to check they have a used one in. The car supermarkets are another option, they tend to have them (though if buying from one of those there is the risk it might have been a taxi and those are worked very hard - I'd be suspicious that a high mileage one might have been, also look for shadows on the dash where stuff like no smoking stickers might have been).

Thanks @Bletchleyite and @Bald Rick I'll pop to the local MG dealership, to try MG5 for size.
I tried a 1 year old MG HS and I was not at all impressed at its sheer number of scratched and scuffed surfaces. I did fit (just) though (rugby-playing youth, mid-50s shoulders & legs still wide, stomach too!).

Just to add, within a year or so you will see 2-3 year old VW ID7s coming into your price range. They are a lovely car, with nearly 400miles WLTP range. Taxi drivers seem to be find of them.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Just to add, within a year or so you will see 2-3 year old VW ID7s coming into your price range. They are a lovely car, with nearly 400miles WLTP range. Taxi drivers seem to be find of them.

The ID7 is in effect an e-Passat, no? Needs an estate version urgently!

Edit: Oh, there is one...will be tempting!

 

[Bald Rick]

The ID7 is in effect an e-Passat, no? Needs an estate version urgently!

Edit: Oh, there is one...will be tempting!

Yes, and yes there is one!

Same as the A6 e-tron (more expensive, partly because of a bigger battery and therefore over 400 miles WLTP, but partly for the extra 3 circles on the badge)

 

[cactustwirly]

To be fair, as many people buy an ICE car and then the cambelt or head gasket goes the next day despite having not been due for replacement, causing serious damage to the engine. Any expensive, complex machine that isn't in warranty bought used can sometimes prove a serious financial error.

(Yet in this case, unlike any ICE that isn't a Kia with their 7 year cover, if it is the battery it should be under warranty...)

The discussion isn't "are EVs absolutely perfect", it's "is it viable to switch to EVs" - if the same magnitude of issue could and is just as likely to occur with an ICE car, then that's not an issue as far as this thread is concerned.

That's just hyperbolic
Head gaskets are extremely rare to fail unless you are buying a Rover K series or a Ford with known issues.

Same with timing belts unless the interval is skipped or poor maintenance.

If those things failed next day after buying the car then the selling dealer would be liable anyway

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jan 2026 ==

Worth noting the MG5 is no longer available new so you might want to check they have a used one in. The car supermarkets are another option, they tend to have them (though if buying from one of those there is the risk it might have been a taxi and those are worked very hard - I'd be suspicious that a high mileage one might have been, also look for shadows on the dash where stuff like no smoking stickers might have been).

Car supermarkets are a bad place to buy from, well known for selling dodgy cars

You can run online checks which will tell you if it's been used as a taxi, as well as telling you if it's written off, stolen, or has outstanding finance. Which you should be checking anyway

 

[Bletchleyite]

That's just hyperbolic
Head gaskets are extremely rare to fail unless you are buying a Rover K series or a Ford with known issues.

Same with timing belts unless the interval is skipped or poor maintenance.

It's also hyperbolic when talking about every single EV exploding in flames the day after the warranty finishes. Neither is particularly likely but both could be costly.

If those things failed next day after buying the car then the selling dealer would be liable anyway

Same as an EV then.

Car supermarkets are a bad place to buy from, well known for selling dodgy cars

Disagree strongly. I've bought three this way now and all have been reliable, low mileage cars. The latest was Cinch which is basically the resales channel for WeBuyAnyCar but also acquires from other sources, effectively an online car supermarket. Two of the three were ex Motability where it was clear looking at the logbook that the owner's health had deteriorated and thus they hadn't done much mileage in the second and third year, thus allowing me to buy, for a pittance, a car that was effectively brand new and barely broken in for the price of a used one. Plus there's no haggling or similar nonsense, just test drive it to see if you like it and that's the price.

I would ONLY buy that way now. Far easier than even buying new, aside from Tesla whose sales and service approach is bang on but I'm not giving Musk my money regardless. No haggling with traditional salesmen (does a less reputable profession even exist?) and none of the risk of buying privately.

It is fair to say that not all car supermarkets are equal, though. I've bought two from AvailableCar and one from Cinch and they were fine. I did look round another one, the name of which I forget, and they were more like a traditional dealership with the smarmy salesmen and left the cars locked unless you got a member of staff to let you in who would clearly start the sales pitch - I walked straight out. The cars should be unlocked at a well run one so you can just look round at leisure with no pressure.

You can run online checks which will tell you if it's been used as a taxi, as well as telling you if it's written off, stolen, or has outstanding finance. Which you should be checking anyway

I've always done an HPI check which is definitely worthwhile (though be sure you understand its results - for instance some dealers finance cars on their forecourt so stuff can come up that looks like outstanding finance but isn't in that sense as they settle it, and you can recheck they did, before collection). Not heard of one that checks taxi usage - do you have a link?

 

[cactustwirly]

It's also hyperbolic when talking about every single EV exploding in flames the day after the warranty finishes. Neither is particularly likely but both could be costly.



Same as an EV then.



Disagree strongly. I've bought three this way now and all have been reliable, low mileage cars. The latest was Cinch which is basically the resales channel for WeBuyAnyCar but also acquires from other sources, effectively an online car supermarket. Two of the three were ex Motability where it was clear looking at the logbook that the owner's health had deteriorated and thus they hadn't done much mileage in the second and third year, thus allowing me to buy, for a pittance, a car that was effectively brand new and barely broken in for the price of a used one. Plus there's no haggling or similar nonsense, just test drive it to see if you like it and that's the price.

I would ONLY buy that way now. Far easier than even buying new, aside from Tesla whose sales and service approach is bang on but I'm not giving Musk my money regardless. No haggling with traditional salesmen (does a less reputable profession even exist?) and none of the risk of buying privately.

It is fair to say that not all car supermarkets are equal, though. I've bought two from AvailableCar and one from Cinch and they were fine. I did look round another one, the name of which I forget, and they were more like a traditional dealership with the smarmy salesmen and left the cars locked unless you got a member of staff to let you in who would clearly start the sales pitch - I walked straight out. The cars should be unlocked at a well run one so you can just look round at leisure with no pressure.



I've always done an HPI check which is definitely worthwhile (though be sure you understand its results - for instance some dealers finance cars on their forecourt so stuff can come up that looks like outstanding finance but isn't in that sense as they settle it, and you can recheck they did, before collection). Not heard of one that checks taxi usage - do you have a link?

I've heard bad things about Big Motoring World, and had bad experiences with Evans Halshaw. The engine blew up on the test drive. They all buy the cars again auction and don't prep them well

I've never used Cinch, it's basically approved age and prices, so you're better off going to a proper dealership for a better prepped car and proper warranty. It's all online so you can't actually see the car or test drive it.

I've always bought my cars privately, but the last one came from a small independent dealership with really good service. Who gave me the history and backstory of the owners etc.

If there's no haggling how do you know it's a good price?
Although generally in the industry there isn't too much anymore, might get a few hundred off if you're lucky

 

[Bletchleyite]

I've heard bad things about Big Motoring World

Now you mention that's the one that seemed to be full of smarmy salesmen and have many of the cars locked.

and had bad experiences with Evans Halshaw.

Evans Halshaw is a traditional dealership operation, albeit one with some large sites. I have certainly had more issues with traditional dealers ("main stealers") in the past than supermarkets. Though I was surprised most recently that the Kia dealership was cheaper than Kwik Fit for a service so they got the business!

I've never used Cinch, it's basically approved age and prices, so you're better off going to a proper dealership for a better prepped car and proper warranty. It's all online so you can't actually see the car or test drive it.

The car has the manufacturer's warranty, a dealership warranty has little value unless you're buying a bit older. I have had far worse experiences with main dealers than with supermarkets or Cinch. With Cinch, you test drive it when you get it - you can reject for a full refund for any reason within 7 days provided you haven't done silly mileages. In that time you'll have had a far better chance to notice any issues or things you don't like than going round the block for 20 minutes with a smarmy salesman in the passenger seat.

I've always bought my cars privately, but the last one came from a small independent dealership with really good service. Who gave me the history and backstory of the owners etc.

Small independents may be good but it's a lottery - sounds like you found an honest one, but many are utter shysters. If you find a good one stick with them I guess, same with independent garages for servicing and repairs.

If there's no haggling how do you know it's a good price?

Parker's Guide, Autotrader etc will tell you that. Haggling, unless you're very good at it, almost certainly means you won't actually get the best possible price, and it's stressful and faffy. If you enjoy it go ahead, but to me it was always the worst bit about buying a car. Just tell me the best price up front and I'll decide if I want to buy or not. It's actually one reason I buy used rather than new - with most brands you either can't buy online new or the online price is just RRP. Tesla do that right, but as I said Musk is never getting any of my money - but other companies really should follow!

 

[Mawkie]

but as I said Musk is never getting any of my money

If you only buy used cars, and bought a Tesla from a big supermarket place, then how would Musk get your money?

 

[Harpers Tate]

If he used a Tesla supercharger then "Musk" would (might?) get some money. Less money (by a good margin) than pretty much every other chargepoint provider.

 

[Mawkie]

If he used a Tesla supercharger then "Musk" would (might?) get some money. Less money (by a good margin) than pretty much every other chargepoint provider.

Ethics often have a cost.

But with 87k charging points across the UK, it also seems like an easy thing to avoid.

Edit: I charged this morning at a Supercharger - was 22p per kWh - total was £14.27.


(Photo shows a Tesla receipt for 64.9046 kWh @22p/kWh)

There were Applegreen Electric chargers there, but they are 83p/kWh - so would have been £53.87 instead of £14.27.

 

[cactustwirly]

Now you mention that's the one that seemed to be full of smarmy salesmen and have many of the cars locked.



Evans Halshaw is a traditional dealership operation, albeit one with some large sites. I have certainly had more issues with traditional dealers ("main stealers") in the past than supermarkets. Though I was surprised most recently that the Kia dealership was cheaper than Kwik Fit for a service so they got the business!



The car has the manufacturer's warranty, a dealership warranty has little value unless you're buying a bit older. I have had far worse experiences with main dealers than with supermarkets or Cinch. With Cinch, you test drive it when you get it - you can reject for a full refund for any reason within 7 days provided you haven't done silly mileages. In that time you'll have had a far better chance to notice any issues or things you don't like than going round the block for 20 minutes with a smarmy salesman in the passenger seat.



Small independents may be good but it's a lottery - sounds like you found an honest one, but many are utter shysters. If you find a good one stick with them I guess, same with independent garages for servicing and repairs.



Parker's Guide, Autotrader etc will tell you that. Haggling, unless you're very good at it, almost certainly means you won't actually get the best possible price, and it's stressful and faffy. If you enjoy it go ahead, but to me it was always the worst bit about buying a car. Just tell me the best price up front and I'll decide if I want to buy or not. It's actually one reason I buy used rather than new - with most brands you either can't buy online new or the online price is just RRP. Tesla do that right, but as I said Musk is never getting any of my money - but other companies really should follow!

Approved used is a better warranty, often an extension of the manufacturers warranty. Very useful if it's coming up to the expiry of the manufacturers warranty.
A lot of other dealerships use third party warranties that are not worth the paper it's written on.

Also worth noting main dealers often cherry pick the cars they get as part exchanges, so they'll keep the nice cars to put back on the forecourts and send the bad ones to auction - often to BCA who own Cinch.

It's normally immediately obvious if a car is a lemon, a lot of these places take very good photos but when you actually see it in person you notice it's on Chinese Ying Long tyres and the pictures on the ad conveniently miss out all the wear in the interior. You often don't know if you like a car unless you've driven it. The driving position and the feel of the controls make a huge difference, as well as the comfort of the seats and ride and handling.

Personally I find the Autotrader guides to be a bit all over the place.
It's bad practice just to agree asking price without a haggle, there is often room for stuff like adjustments of Partex values, throwing in extra add ons etc. Especially if it's the end of the month and the salesmen need to hit their targets.

I found independents are the best place to get cars serviced. Although BMW offer very competitive prices for cars over 7 years old so will maybe try them.

I do not trust the likes of Kwik Fit to touch my car, it's a lot more finicky than a run of the mill Vauxhall etc

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think we couldn't be more different in motoring terms to be honest! I guess what works for the individual...

 

[trebor79]

Car supermarkets are a bad place to buy from, well known for selling dodgy cars

Nah,bought my Tesla from a small independent one and the iD4 from Car Supermarket. Both fine, no hassle at all.

I did look round another one, the name of which I forget, and they were more like a traditional dealership with the smarmy salesmen and left the cars locked unless you got a member of staff to let you in who would clearly start the sales pitch - I walked straight out.

I've heard bad things about Big Motoring World, and had bad experiences with Evans Halshaw.

Yeah Big Motoring World I went to when it was called something else about 10 years ago. They soft credit checked you the instant you walked in the door and tried to ascertain your budget to determine what cars they would show you. I knew exactly what car I was interested in so sidestepped some of the process. The guy I was dealing with was alright actually, but when I tried to invoke their price promise and cited one for sale elsewhere at a lower price, the fat white shirted manager guy went ballistic at the poor guy "This isn't an effing Dutch auction" and started belittling him.
At that point I told the guy no business that is run so I unprofessionally will get my business and walked out.

 

[gabrielhj07]

Best thing to do is buy privately, preferably from a single owner car. Only then can you properly assess the previous owner and the life the car has led.

 

[david1212]

... The car has the manufacturer's warranty, a dealership warranty has little value unless you're buying a bit older.

When I was looking before I bought my current car another dealer was only offering a 3 month warranty then selling an extension from a company with a poor reputation ( I tried phoning them but they never answered ) not effectively a manufacturer backed 12 month extension of the factory warranty .... I walked.

...... Though I was surprised most recently that the Kia dealership was cheaper than Kwik Fit for a service so they got the business! ...

I wouldn't use Kwik Fit for servicing even if free. Only tyres or exhaust.

Small independents may be good but it's a lottery - sounds like you found an honest one, but many are utter shysters. If you find a good one stick with them I guess,

If trading with the same name and from the same premises for several years more likely to be honest, if the name keeps changing and/or regularly moving from one patch of rough ground with a ramshackle office or portakabin to another less so.

same with independent garages for servicing and repairs.

Again if they have been trading for years likely to be OK as rely on repeat business plus personal recommendations.
The problem is with cars now being so complex they often can not do more than basic work unless they concentrate on one or at most a few brands so can attract ex stealer dealer trained mechanics plus invest in tooling and diagnostic equipment.

As a manufacturer group I am not Volkswagon-Audi loyal but rather to the local independent specialist. They are not that cheap ( I don't know now but when they started stated they were half the dealer rate ) but I trust them more. I have only been to the local dealer once as I was treated like a lump of dirt on a shoe. Treated better at the next nearest dealer ( nearer to work ) but a part of a large group that have all the VAG brands and others e.g. Toyota, Volvo ultimately just a number.

Best thing to do is buy privately, preferably from a single owner car. Only then can you properly assess the previous owner and the life the car has led.

Up to a point true but you have absolutely no come back. They may be selling the car because of the work that will soon be needed or an intermittent fault.

I have bought privately twice, both times I needed a car in a hurry.
The first time there was hidden history on the mileage plus while water pump just replaced only filled with water so was very lucky that the thermostat also needed replacing.
The second time the seller needed a quick cash sale. They had only bought 6 months earlier and added 12 month warranty that was transferable for a small fee plus then paid out for a dealer service & cambelt replacement. This was a good buy as beyond basic servicing & tyres only one fault in 6 years.
It was getting 'long-in-the-tooth' and from following MOT's became uneconomic to repair but because far less complex I wish I still had it now.

 

[jon0844]

I know I've said it many times before but there are generally less things to go wrong with an EV, and those wearable items are likely quite easy to check and will be harder to hide. As such I think I'd be more confident buying second hand - but you obviously need to take basic precautions.

It is important to get a battery check which can be done by many companies these days, or even yourself with a very low cost adapter and app download.

 

[Mawkie]

It is important to get a battery check which can be done by many companies these days,

Is it that important? Once you understand that all batteries will degrade over time, and perhaps an understanding of the degradation profile and impact it will have on your range over the years, then it becomes less important.

Of all the things that can go wrong with an EV, the battery is what I'd be least worried about - aren't most manufacturers guaranteeing for 8 years/100,000 miles?