Electric car - Pre-purchase inspection

billyfieldman, Sep 23, 9:08pm
I was reading the Electric car thread where the cost of running a 2011 Nissan Leaf was discussed.

So I'm wondering whether when buying a used EV, who should you get to do a PPI. Would the regular mechanics or people like Car Inspection services, Incar automotive or AA have the expertise to tell if the EV (and its battery) is a lemon?

, Sep 23, 9:27pm
Here's an ok primer to learning about buying a Leaf in NZ:
https://samholford.github.io/leafguide/ As far as battery condition goes, depending on how comfortable you are with technology, you can get an excellent breakdown of the condition of any Leaf battery using a smartphone, a $20 Bluetooth OBD2 connector and an app called Leafspy (http://www.electricvehiclewik-i.com/Leaf_Spy_Pro) which talks to the battery computer directly and gives you fairly easy to understand information.
There's also several Facebook groups depending on your area which are full of people who will come and look at a vehicle and help you test a vehicles battery before buying it. https://www.facebook.com/groups/NZEVOwners

Nissan themselves will also look at a vehicle for you, however the information they provide is much less useful than what you can get yourself via Leafspy and a little knowledge.

sascars, Sep 23, 10:03pm
Absolutely right

intrade, Sep 24, 6:25am
Only the factory scantool can be used on a electric car for diagnosis obd2 is emission connection plug since there is no emissions on electric manufacturer went back to factory obd1 stile plugs I took a picture of the Kia plug it is exactly like the obd1 but one row extra pins .

billyfieldman, Sep 24, 11:20am
Thanks. Great info.

siobhan41, Jan 11, 6:10am
If you are in Auckland a company called Blue Cars are known as the specialists with anything EV.
Pre purchase, servicing or even rentals.