Used electric vehicle pricing guide: How much you’ll pay for a pre-loved Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Kona Electric, MG ZS EV and many more

‘EV values plummet’ has been a regular headline in overseas media this year, as electric car resale values tumble in major markets like the US and UK.

But will Australia follow suit?

America and Europe have more mature EV markets than us, meaning thousands of pre-loved electric cars have popped up on their used car classifieds. As saturation strikes it becomes a buyer’s market and prices fall accordingly.

So what’s the deal Down Under?

Late to the party on EV incentives and decent charging infrastructure, only in the past two years have EV sales really made a dent in the Australian market.

In 2023 so far, EVs have made up a decent 7.2% of new car deliveries. In 2021 it was around 3%, so unlike Europe and the US, we don’t have the glut of used EVs being traded in around the three-years-old mark.

But there are some. There’s also a fair number of used EVs under a year old or as dealer ex-demos with heavy discounts over RRP. Why? Some haven’t proved as popular as hoped (Mazda MX-30) while some owners may have simply decided, in a few months of ownership, that an EV isn’t for them.

Here are the used EVs you can buy in Australia for under $50,000.

Nissan Leaf – from $9000

There are dozens of first gen Leafs (sold here 2012-15) up for grabs, with a number under $15,000.

Cheapest is a 2011 version with 48,800km, but the owner admits battery health is close to 50 per cent, its dash shows a range of 90km and real world range is closer to 68km.

Sadly, many other Leafs a little over $10,000 also have a lowly range of 60-90km maximum, down from the original 175km. Still, that may prove ample for those after a town runabout and nothing more.

Second gen ‘ZE1’ Leafs (introduced 2018) start from $25,000, with earlier Japanese imports a bit cheaper. Their approximately 300km range have far more appeal, and look less dorky than the original Leaf.

Mitsubishi i-MiEV – from $12,000

A piece of history? These tiny i-MiEVs were the first EVs on sale in Australia in 2010. Only 250 sold – very few to private buyers at the silly $48,800 asking price – before being pulled in 2013.

They seem to have risen in value in recent years, with the cheapest we found at $12,500 for a 2012 150,000km model.

Original range was around 150km, but you’ll be lucky to get 100km on one today, unless it’s had a fresh battery pack.

Again, buyers should restrict use to towns and cities in these tiddlers.

Renault Zoe Intens – from $25,000

They barely registered a sale in Australia, but these cute little Zoes did solid numbers in Europe.

Priced around $45k when new in 2018, a couple are on sale now for $25,000, one with just 22,000km on the clock and range of 300km.

Dedicated city cars with cheap-feeling cabins, but rarer than a Pagani Zonda on our shores.

MG ZS EV – from $25,000

An incredible 177 pre-loved MG ZSs are on CarSales at time of writing. That makes it a decent buyer’s market as there are ample private and trade sellers eager for your business.

These started at $43,990 drive away when they first went on sale in late 2020. Three years later, with some haggling, you can take $20k off that. Serious depreciation.

MG’s five year warranty has some life left (or plenty left if it’s a post-July 2021 MG ZS, when it increased to seven years), giving solid peace of mind.

Official electric range of 263km is optimistic and it’s a pretty joyless steer, but here’s a small SUV with warranty to tempt you into EV life.

Hyundai Ioniq Electric – from $26,000

With us since late 2018, back then it was Australia’s cheapest pure EV at $44,990. But it looked bloody odd (and not a patch on Hyundai’s later Ioniq 5 style winner) and range was a paltry 230km.

Look for 2020+ models with ‘real world’ 311km range – they start at around $26k with high kilometres showing. Ones around $30k have under 50,000km, and all bar the very first batch will have some of Hyundai’s five-year warranty remaining.

BMW i3 – from $28,000

Very cool and loadsa fun, but used i3 prices remain stubbornly high considering their advanced age.

We found only four for sale, with $28,880 for a 190km range 2014 60Ah version with 100,000km the cheapest.

A 2017 94Ah i3 with 300km range and 50,000km on the clock for $37,900 looks the better buy.

The range extender hybrid i3s are basically the same price. Perhaps these groundbreaking BMWs are close to collector status?

Mini Cooper Electric Hatch – from $37,000

The Electric offers classic Mini looks, but a not-great circa 200km range.

Nice to drive and live with, with the cheapest 2021/22 cars now under $40,000.

Standout is a 2022 version showing just 1500km, up for $37,990. Mini Australia slashing new prices by around $20,000 to $49,990 drive-away won’t have pleased current owners.

There are 30 in the classifieds so you’ve plenty to choose from.

Mazda MX-30 E35 Astina – from $38,000

Attention, bargain shoppers. There are over a dozen of these lesser-spotted Mazda MX-30s in the classifieds, with $40,000 typical for one with only a few thousand kms travelled.

Many are ex-demos that simply haven’t sold. Forget the original $70,000+ drive-away price; at sub-$40k these Mazda EVs look far more appealing.

City slicker 200km range means they’re not for everyone, but these MX-30s drive beautifully and cabins are luxe and specification rich.

A bit of haggling will drop that price further – dealers will probably play ball to shift ’em.

Hyundai Kona Electric – from $38,000

Now we’re talking. These Kona Electrics are a convincing gateway into EV life, and used prices are beginning to appeal.

Earliest 2019/2020 models can be had for under $40k, are still in warranty and are down from $63,500 drive-away (Elite) and over $70k drive-away (Highlander).

A real world and reliable 450km range, decent driving manners and family-friendly cabin space make the Kona a worthwhile used EV punt.

Kia Niro – from $39,000

First gen Niros are now under $40k; the cheapest a 2021 model with 61,000km, up for $38,990 drive-away.

A big drop from the initial $67,500 asking price – hello resale nightmare – but these are roomy SUVs with solid 455km range.

But they were already old when launched here, and look terribly dated next to the new Niro. A seven year warranty does boost their appeal.

Tesla Model 3 Standard Range – from $39,900

Okay, here’s the big one. Model 3s are now found under $40k; the cheapest an 88,500km 2019 example for $39,900.

The owner says there are a couple of small dents to his rental car white Model 3, so perhaps a 100,000km example at $39,950 is a better buy. It has the aero wheel cap kit and backup key card, sweetening the deal.

All but the earliest 2019 Model 3s should still have a portion of their four-year warranty remaining. Range of 470km and Tesla’s charging infrastructure are convincing motivators for ownership.

A whopping 450 are in the classifieds at time of writing as early adopters shop them in. Haggling should secure one well below asking price, and expect it to become more of a buyers market in 2024 as ever more used Model 3s end up being listed.

Cheapest Model Y, incidentally, is a 2022 for $56,000.

Tesla Model S – from $45,000

Eighteen months ago we did a used EV guide and the cheapest Model S was $59,000. Now it’s just $45,000.

A 2016 S75 with 480km range is up for that money, while another seven are under $50k.

These are pretty old cars now, but there’s a lot of large sedan there for the coin.

What about used luxury EV prices?

Lots of mutterings about huge discounts overseas for luxury EVs as they fail to sell.

What are the entry prices of used examples in Australia?

2021 Lexus UX300e – from $56,000

2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge – from $62,000

2018 Jaguar I-Pace – from $65,100 (only 18,000km!)

2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC400- from $69,990 drive-away

2021 BMW iX3 – from $79,990 drive-away

2021 Audi e-tron 50 – from $88,900

2021 Porsche Taycan 4S – from $165,000