Used EVs sell a week quicker with battery health check

Providing a battery health certificate with a used EV helps cut selling times by a week, according to new data.

As the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) marks the start of Used EV Week, industry sales data suggests the added reassurance of a state of health report makes a material impact on a car’s appeal.

According to the figures shared by battery check specialist Generational, in the last six months used EVs with a health certificate sold in 43.1 days, compared with 50.4 days for those without one.

With an ever-growing secondhand market, concern around the condition and longevity of batteries is coming to the fore. Battery health checks are seen as a way of giving buyers confidence in something that they are not easily able to check themselves.

Battery health checks such as those carried out by Generational assess a battery’s usable capacity and compare this to its capacity when brand new. They also provide a guide on the real-world range a buyer can expect, and can highlight potential faults within a battery pack.

Oliver Phillpott, CEO of Generational, said: “This latest data shows just how powerful clear battery health information is in driving buyer confidence and speeding up sales.

“In the electric era, customers want to know far more than just age and mileage – they want to understand how the battery is performing, what range they can expect in the real world and how much warranty remains.

“With transparent battery health data in hand, buyers can make more confident decisions, and dealers can sell vehicles faster and more profitably. It’s a win-win – and a key part of building a healthy, sustainable market for used EVs.”

Battery health checks are an increasingly hot topic in the world of EVs. Labour promised in its election manifesto to introduce an industry standard system. While there is still no sign of that, many resellers are taking matters into their own hands.

Auction specialist BCA was among the first to offer a battery health check on all EVs passing through its marketplace. Since then dealership chain Cambria has followed suit at its Motorparks, Invicta and Grange divisions. Swedish brand Polestar has also begun offering a battery health report with all used Polestar 2 cars sold through its retail network.

The latest data backs up recent findings by BCA which showed that its health reports increased interest in secondhand models, improved selling prices and cut time to sell.