Electric Car Check
Electric cars are often written off after battery damage. The £15 report checks a used EV's write-off, finance, theft and mileage history, with its battery capacity and power where recorded.
£15 vehicle history report · Instant results
What the report can and cannot tell you
History first, not battery health
The report checks the records that matter most on a used EV: whether it has been written off, whether finance is outstanding, whether it is recorded as stolen, and its mileage at every MOT. Its specification section shows the battery capacity and power where they are recorded for the vehicle.
It does not show battery health (state of health), official range, charging speeds or battery warranty terms. Battery health depends on age, mileage and charging history, and only a battery health test on the car can measure it. Ask the seller for a recent report, or pay for one before you buy.
The numbers that matter on a used EV
Usable battery
The kWh the car can actually use, a little less than the total. It is the fairest way to compare battery sizes between cars.
Official range
The WLTP combined range for the model when new. Winter, motorway speeds and an older battery all cut it, so treat it as a ceiling rather than a promise.
Charging speed
The maximum rapid charging power in kW, and how long a 10 to 80% charge takes. Two cars with the same battery can charge at very different speeds.
Battery warranty
Most manufacturers cover the battery for around eight years and a mileage limit. Count the time from the first registration date and check the manufacturer's terms for that model.
Charge ports explained
The connectors you will meet on a used electric car, and what each is for.
Type 2
The standard UK and European connector for home wallboxes and most public AC chargers, usually up to 7 kW at home and 11 or 22 kW in public if the car supports it.
CCS
Combined Charging System. A Type 2 socket with two extra DC pins below it, used for rapid and ultra-rapid charging on almost every modern EV sold in the UK.
CHAdeMO
An older DC rapid charging standard found on some earlier Nissan and Mitsubishi models. Fewer new public chargers support it.
Checking a used electric car before you buy
1
Confirm the battery and range
Make sure the battery, range and charging speed match the advert, using the V5C, the manufacturer's figures for the model and the car's own display. The difference between two battery options can be a lot of money.
2
Ask for a battery health report
A state of health figure tells you how much capacity is left. Anything the seller cannot back up with a report is a claim, not a fact.
3
Check the warranty is still running
Battery warranties usually move with the car to a new owner. Check the time and mileage left, and the manufacturer's own terms.
4
Check its history
Electric cars are often written off after battery or underbody damage. Check the write-off, finance, theft and mileage record with the £15 report before you pay. Our guide to buying a used electric car covers the rest.
Electric car check FAQs
Can I check an electric car's battery health by registration?
No. No registration lookup can show battery health, because it is not recorded anywhere centrally. A battery health test on the car shows how much capacity is left. The £15 report covers the history: write-offs, finance, theft and mileage.
How do I know which battery a used EV has?
Check the V5C, the manufacturer's figures for the model and the car's own information screen. The £15 report shows the battery capacity where it is recorded for the vehicle, but not range or charging speed.
Is the battery warranty transferable to a new owner?
Usually, yes. Manufacturer battery warranties normally stay with the car until the time or mileage limit is reached, but conditions vary, so check the manufacturer's terms for that model.
Does the report cover hybrids?
Yes. The history checks work the same for hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric cars. For hybrids, the recorded power figure is usually the petrol or diesel engine on its own.
Why are electric cars written off so often?
A damaged battery pack can be expensive to repair or hard to certify as safe, so insurers write off some EVs after damage that would be repaired on a petrol car. Our article on why electric cars get written off explains more.
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Electric cars are often written off after battery damage. Check its write-off, finance, theft, mileage and keeper history with a £15 report.
In the report, the specification and registration details come from DVLA records and our vehicle data provider, and MOT history from the DVSA. Carpeep is not affiliated with the DVLA or DVSA.