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EV inspection pre-sale?

  • 01-12-2020 11:35pm
    #1
    FirstinLastout
    Registered Users Posts: 476 ✭✭


    Hi Folks,

    Looking at getting a i3 or Zoe and I'm just curious as regards arranging an inspection by an appropriate technician.
    For those that have bought privately, what has the process been?
    After the test drive, any other specifically EV advice?

    Likely it'll be a dealer but there are some nice looking i3's turning up for sale privately.

    Thanks Folks!!


Comments

  • #2
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 38,334 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    FirstinLastout wrote: »
    Hi Folks,

    Looking at getting a i3 or Zoe and I'm just curious as regards arranging an inspection by an appropriate technician.
    For those that have bought privately, what has the process been?
    After the test drive, any other specifically EV advice?

    Likely it'll be a dealer but there are some nice looking i3's turning up for sale privately.

    Thanks Folks!!

    Inspection the same as any other car.
    Only difference being the state of health of the battery.


  • #3
    ewj1978
    Registered Users Posts: 1,931 ✭✭✭ewj1978


    Tbh, Whats the concerns? if its an i3 with a rex make sure its been serviced by BMW. As for a Zoe apart from confirming the state of health of the battery theres not really much to check.
    Obviously do a cartell etc check before buying anything.


  • #4
    FirstinLastout
    Registered Users Posts: 476 ✭✭FirstinLastout


    Pretty much what I was thinking alright.
    A normal ICE I'd just inspect as usual but just checking that it's normal battery Condition/life that's the main consideration.
    Thanks for the responses guys!


  • #5
    Black_Knight
    Moderators Posts: 12,363 ✭✭✭✭Black_Knight


    Gumbo wrote: »
    Inspection the same as any other car.
    Only difference being the state of health of the battery.

    At what point do you say "no, the SOH isn't good, I'll pass".

    Kinda differs for all cars, so there's no real rule of thumb. Afaik, leaf expect plenty of degradation, but depends on the year. Ioniq expect none. Tesla expect some, but depends on the year.

    Too many unknowns there for me.


  • #6
    loopymum
    Registered Users Posts: 1,228 ✭✭✭loopymum


    What is everyone's thoughts if the cartell report shows there's been an insurance claim but the seller hasnt said anything to put on the spot?


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  • #7
    krissovo
    Registered Users Posts: 2,645 ✭✭✭krissovo


    If you consider an i3 all 90ah models and the 120ah are rock solid and should have very little lost battery capacity. Earlier models in 2014 & 2015 you need to be more vigilant with the battery but the issue was fixed quickly. You can find the battery capacity in a hidden service menu from the dashboard to check it but you need the vin number to access it which will be in the windscreen. There is not much else with the rest of the car to go wrong.

    I bought my first i3 from a UK auction without ever seeing it.


  • #8
    ELM327
    Registered Users Posts: 21,298 ✭✭✭✭ELM327


    loopymum wrote: »
    What is everyone's thoughts if the cartell report shows there's been an insurance claim but the seller hasnt said anything to put on the spot?
    Avoid for sure


    Way too many used EVs out there now to be landed with something potentially dodgy


  • #9
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 38,334 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    loopymum wrote: »
    What is everyone's thoughts if the cartell report shows there's been an insurance claim but the seller hasnt said anything to put on the spot?

    It depends, ask them out straight.
    My old 530d had an insurance claim on the history, and it went back to when the parking sensors were stolen from the front bumper. In the E39, they had mouldings which contained the Sensors.

    Also, a few years later a claim turned up on my 535d, from when I had the windscreen replaced.

    It just said something along the lines of "insurance alert" from memory.


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