Buying a second hand EV in Perth: the home charging checks to do first

The used EV market in Western Australia has quietly become the interesting part of the industry. Three year old Nissan Leafs, Tesla Model 3s and MG ZS EVs are changing hands at prices that put them level with a decent used Corolla. Before you buy, three checks make the difference between a bargain and a slow headache.

1. Battery health, not odometer

EVs wear by battery cycles, not kilometres. Ask for a battery state of health report. Most EV apps show it natively, and any decent seller will screenshot it. Above 90 percent health at three years is normal. Below 80 percent deserves a price conversation.

Fun fact: EV batteries degrade slowest in mild climates with home charging. Perth's mild winters and garage parked cars make WA used EVs some of the healthiest in the country.

2. Confirm the charging port

Everything modern uses Type 2 for AC and CCS2 for fast charging, which means any charger we install will fit. The one exception is the first generation Nissan Leaf, which uses a CHAdeMO fast charging port. It still charges fine at home on Type 2, it just limits your road trip options. Fine for a city runabout, worth knowing before you buy.

3. Check your house before you check the car

• Is there off street parking where a cable can reach? A wall unit needs the car within about 5 metres of the charger.
• Single phase or three phase? A quick photo of your switchboard main switch tells us, and decides whether 7kW or 22kW is on the table.
• Is there a spare slot on the switchboard? Most homes have one. Older boards sometimes need a tidy up first.

The good news about charger costs

A used EV buyer's home charging setup is identical to a new car buyer's. Same chargers, same install, same savings. A $1,500 wall unit install serves a $25,000 used MG exactly as well as a $90,000 new Polestar. If anything the payback is faster, because the whole car cost less to begin with.