What to check when buying a used electric car: battery, warranty, inspection
With a used electric car, the most important thing is battery health (SOH): ADAC recommends at least 88% at 100,000 km. Confirm the remaining battery warranty and its transfer with an authorised service centre; when buying from a dealer an inspection (ekspertiz) report is mandatory, but the regulation does not require the battery to be measured separately. In Türkiye, 61,618 used electric cars changed hands in 2025.
By: Şarj Rehberim · Updated: · 6 min read
Short answer
A used electric car has no engine or gearbox worries; the part that determines its price and lifespan is the battery. When buying, always get three things in writing: the battery's state of health (SOH), the remaining battery warranty and whether that warranty transfers to you.
The market is growing fast: according to smartIQ's 2025 report, used electric car sales in Türkiye rose from 29,329 in 2024 to 61,618 in 2025 (an increase of 110%).
Sources (as of 3 November 2026): smartIQ 2025 used car report
Battery health: what SOH is good?
SOH (state of health) is the ratio of the battery's current capacity to its capacity when new. Electric car batteries lose around 2% of their capacity a year on average. ADAC, the German automobile club, recommends the following minimum values by mileage when buying used:
| Mileage | Recommended minimum SOH (ADAC) |
|---|---|
| 50,000 km | 92% |
| 100,000 km | 88% |
| 150,000 km | 84% |
| 200,000 km | 80% |
Sources (as of 3 November 2026): ADAC: buying a used electric car 2026
Does the battery warranty transfer to you?
Battery warranties are usually 8 years and 160,000–250,000 km; the period starts when the car is delivered to its first owner. Transfer terms vary by brand:
- Tesla: according to the European warranty document, the warranty transfers free of charge to a subsequent owner who acquires the car legally; the maintenance records must be handed over to the new owner.
- Hyundai: according to Hyundai Türkiye, the remaining warranty period passes to the new owner together with the car; check that regular maintenance has been carried out.
- Togg, Kia, BYD and other brands: confirm the transfer and the capacity condition (usually 70% SOH) in writing with an authorised service centre, using the chassis number.
- If you are buying from a dealer: under the regulation, the dealer must state the remaining period and mileage of the manufacturer's warranty on the car's information card.
Sources (as of 3 November 2026): Tesla New Vehicle Limited Warranty (Europe) · Hyundai Türkiye warranty
Does the inspection check the battery?
Under the Regulation on the Trade of Motor Vehicles, a dealer must obtain a report from a TSE-certified (Turkish Standards Institution) inspection company within the 10 days before selling a car (not required for vehicles older than 8 years or with more than 160,000 km). However, the regulation does not require the battery to be measured separately; a standard inspection may be limited to body, paint and mechanical checks.
So either ask an authorised service centre for a battery health report or have an electric car inspection that measures battery capacity, cell voltage differences and charging history. In private sales between individuals an inspection is not mandatory; in that case, testing the battery is entirely your responsibility.
Sources (as of 3 November 2026): Regulation on the Trade of Motor Vehicles
Used electric car checklist
- Written SOH report: from an authorised service centre or an inspection company that tests batteries.
- Remaining battery warranty and its transfer: from an authorised service centre, using the chassis number.
- Recalls: use the brand's chassis number lookup to see whether there is an open recall campaign.
- Charging ports: the AC (Type 2) and DC (CCS2) ports should show no burn marks, cracks or looseness; do a short DC charging test and check that the power rises to the expected level.
- Charging cable and accessories: the portable charger and Type 2 cable supplied with the car should be complete.
- Tyres: electric cars wear their tyres faster; check tread depth and load index.
- Underbody: have the car lifted and the battery's underbody protection checked for impacts and scratches; heavy impacts can affect the warranty.
- Range shown at full charge: compare it with the figure for the same model when new; it gives a rough but quick idea.
How much does a battery replacement cost?
There is no official battery price list published by manufacturers in Türkiye. If the battery is replaced under warranty, you pay nothing; once the warranty has expired, usually only the faulty module is replaced, not the whole battery. When buying a car that is out of warranty, the safest course is to ask the service centre for a written quote.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a used electric car worth buying?
- Yes, if the battery health is good and the warranty is still running; with no engine or gearbox, the mechanical risk is low. Always ask for a written SOH report and confirmation of the remaining warranty.
- What percentage should battery health be?
- According to ADAC's recommendation, at least 92% at 50,000 km, 88% at 100,000 km, 84% at 150,000 km and 80% at 200,000 km.
- Does an inspection check an electric car's battery?
- Not necessarily; the regulation requires an inspection for dealer sales but does not require the battery to be measured. Choose an inspection company that tests batteries or get a report from an authorised service centre.
- Does the battery warranty pass to the second owner?
- At Tesla and Hyundai, the remaining warranty passes to the new owner. For other brands, confirm the terms in writing with an authorised service centre using the chassis number.