Which used Leaf model to try for newcomers to EV?
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2025 10:10 pm
Hi, Another newbie here. We're considering an EV if my wife's 02 ICE Toyota struggles with its upcoming MOT. though we've never driven an EV and rarely even ridden in one.
We have solar panels and a battery, so would hope to use this system to charge the car at home most of the time.
We're both in our 70's, not looking for technical excitement, sporty gadgets, or prestige looks, just a comfortable practical car that would hopefully last us a good many years for local trips. We have a Petrol Octavia to tow our tiny caravan and for longer range expeditions, but it would be better/cleaner/cheaper to use an EV for local trips.
I'm reading reviews describing more recent Nissan Leaf models as "reliable, comfortable, practical but unexciting" which suits us fine, especially as it seems to be towards the cheaper end of the used EV range. But there's a huge range of options of years and models to choose from.
So those of you in the know, please:
- is "reliable (etc) but unexciting" a fair description of the Leaf?
- if we go for one, aiming for about £8K tops,which of the many possibilities of model and year seem worth considering?
- Such research as I did another year, after which the Toyota then sailed surprisingly easily through its MOT so we stuck with it, suggested that used EV's may have very reduced battery life. Is that still the case, and is there a cut-off year or mileage beyond which the wise buyer would not go?
---- And what other questions should I be asking, please?
With many thanks for your help and good wishes.
We have solar panels and a battery, so would hope to use this system to charge the car at home most of the time.
We're both in our 70's, not looking for technical excitement, sporty gadgets, or prestige looks, just a comfortable practical car that would hopefully last us a good many years for local trips. We have a Petrol Octavia to tow our tiny caravan and for longer range expeditions, but it would be better/cleaner/cheaper to use an EV for local trips.
I'm reading reviews describing more recent Nissan Leaf models as "reliable, comfortable, practical but unexciting" which suits us fine, especially as it seems to be towards the cheaper end of the used EV range. But there's a huge range of options of years and models to choose from.
So those of you in the know, please:
- is "reliable (etc) but unexciting" a fair description of the Leaf?
- if we go for one, aiming for about £8K tops,which of the many possibilities of model and year seem worth considering?
- Such research as I did another year, after which the Toyota then sailed surprisingly easily through its MOT so we stuck with it, suggested that used EV's may have very reduced battery life. Is that still the case, and is there a cut-off year or mileage beyond which the wise buyer would not go?
---- And what other questions should I be asking, please?

With many thanks for your help and good wishes.