Electric car check
Enter a registration to see what a used electric or plug-in hybrid was built with: battery size, official range, charging speed and its battery warranty.
Free · No sign-up · Manufacturer figures
What this check can and cannot tell you
Built specification, not battery health
The check shows the battery, range and charging hardware the car was built with, from the manufacturer data for that exact model and battery option. Many models were sold with more than one battery, so this is the quickest way to confirm which one a car has.
It does not show battery health (state of health): how much of that capacity the battery still holds. That 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. We show the terms and when the time limit runs out from first registration.
Charge ports explained
The check lists the ports the car was built with and the fastest speed each can take.
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
Run this check and make sure the battery, range and charging speed match the advert. 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 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. This check shows the battery the car was built with; a battery health test on the car shows how much of it is left.
How do I know which battery a used EV has?
Enter the registration above. We match it to the exact model and battery option in the manufacturer data and show its total and usable capacity, official range and 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 check work on hybrids?
Yes. Plug-in hybrids show their battery, electric-only range and charging details. Full and mild hybrids cannot be plugged in, so the check says so and points you to their power and fuel economy instead.
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.
More vehicle checks
Already found one?
Electric cars are often written off after battery damage. Check its write-off, finance, theft, mileage and keeper history with a £15 report.
Manufacturer specification from UK Vehicle Data. Registration details from the DVLA Vehicle Enquiry Service. Figures are the manufacturer's for the model and variant as built.