When the Nissan Leaf first hit dealership lots in 2011, it quickly helped launch a revolution. Thanks to this electric vehicle, automakers began understanding the EV market possibilities. Should shoppers look at a used first-generation Nissan Leaf if they are interested in getting an EV and don’t want to break the bank? More specifically, should you consider shopping for a used 2017 Nissan Leaf?

What could be problematic about a 2017 Nissan Leaf?

Many shoppers look at used EVs with a bit of hesitancy. One of the big reasons drivers double-take a used EV is the degradation that batteries can suffer. On average, throughout its lifetime, a battery will lose its ability to hold a charge and fully charge. According to Cars, this decrease will happen yearly, at a rate of around 1-3%. With this in mind, an older EV could have significantly less range than when it was new. But don’t let that deter you completely from shopping for a used electric car.

If you look at a 2017 Nissan Leaf, you can expect that the battery has suffered a bit of battery degradation, but it shouldn’t deter you. When you look at the Nissan Leaf’s battery, you will notice that the battery display has 12 bars, and a bar is lost when it loses the ability to be fully charged. Each bar represents about 15%, so a bar will drop when you have 85% capacity, and so on.

With the understanding that the EV battery may not be able to perform at the highest capability, shopping for a used 2017 Nissan Leaf can still be a good process.

What makes a used 2017 Nissan Leaf a good purchase?

Despite the worry surrounding the battery for a 2017 Nissan Leaf, there are still plenty of good things that can come from this car. First, if you like a unique and funky design, this EV has that. The headlights offer a bulbous, bug-like design that stands out. Those headlights, when combined with the front-end, are certainly a unique look. While some shoppers may not like it, many do. Plus, shouldn’t you be shopping for something based on other aspects than looks?

Another great aspect about a used 2017 Nissan Leaf is its interior. The Nissan Leaf is an EV heavily marketed at the everyday driver. While it may not offer the upscale luxury other models offer, it is a useable interior for most drivers. According to a review from Consumer Reports, the 2017 Nissan Leaf provided plenty of headroom, comfortable seats, and rear leg room. 

In addition to the interior being a comfortable place to spend time, the 2017 Nissan Leaf also offered plenty of modern touches. From easy-to-read digital displays, hard buttons and tactile knobs ensure you can control everything with ease. Finally, the interior is well-built to ensure drivers have something that can last.

A few things to consider when shopping for a used EV

If you are taking the time to shop for a used EV, there are a few different things you should do to have a better shopping experience. One of the first things you should be mindful of when shopping for a used electric car is the mileage. As with any used car, the mileage on the odometer is important to be aware of. But, with a used EV, you are not just looking at the actual mileage but also the battery health. Higher mileage EVs could indicate that the battery is not in great shape and could be a poor investment for the future.

With the mileage idea in mind, you also want to ensure you get an electric car with a warranty. For a 2017 Nissan Leaf, there is a higher likelihood that the warranty will still be valid. If you decide to shop for an older model, the possibility of the warranty being valid will be less. This warranty will mainly offer you protection for the battery for 96 months or 100,000 miles. If you purchase a used EV and the warranty transfers, and the battery fails, it should be replaced for free. 

As long as you do your research, a used 2017 Nissan Leaf can be a good purchase

If you have been looking at getting into a used EV and don’t know exactly what is right for you, consider looking at a first-generation Nissan Leaf. Despite not having the most battery range, a used 2017 Nissan Leaf can be perfect for daily drives and shorter trips. More importantly, you can find one of these electric cars for a friendly price, which can certainly help you in the long run.