Nissan Leaf Buyer's Guide - 3 Things To Check Before You Buy

If you are planning to buy a used Nissan Leaf, this video will share three items you must check before you buy.

[dram]

I think there is an important correct to make here. You should buy a leaf with little life on the pack, if you can get it super cheap. Because you can use the money savings to buy a bigger battery from a wrecked newer leaf.

[wzqepvr]

As a lifetime petrol head I was dead against electric then last month my spouse bought a Leaf. I winged and whined. First trip out we couldnt find an appropriate charger BUT once we formalated a charging plan and did a few hundred miles....well guess what...Im now a toatal convert. Smooth, quiet, no smelly fuel and oil....I love it!

[Medmann]

Today We bought a used 2016 Nissan Leaf S from a local Ford dealer. We ended up with a deal of $7, 000.00 out the door. This ford dealer was familiar with the Federal Tax Credit & gave that to us up front. That dropped the out the door price to $4, 900.00, how can you beat that? & this car still has 11 Bars of the 12 original bars.

[SirBillyMays]

I have a 130k kilometer (81k miles) 2012 model leaf, used to be my fathers from new but it was handed to me when he upgraded. It's a wonderful city car. I still have 9/12 battery bars (so around 100km of range) which is plenty for city use.
Biggest repairs have been suspension and brake related - they wear out over time, but also get hit quite hard with rust. The original paint is also very thin, so body panels can quite easily rust. Be especially mindful of the underside of the car and the rear.

Here in Norway, used Leaf parts are plentiful and cheap. Not sure they're so cheap it makes sense importing to the US, but it honestly might be worth asking someone to take a look, if you own a Leaf and know a Norwegian.

I had to replace my original 12v battery just a week ago. 11 years old, the original flooded lead acid battery started giving up the ghost. When the 12v battery gets old the car starts acting a bit erratically, but still drives just like normal. For me, I would sometimes have to press the start button twice to engage the high voltage system. I would also get the ABS and ESP warning lights every now and again. All was resolved with a new, cheap FLA (<100$ when changing it yourself. Don't bother trying to keep 12v to the car when changing the system, all that gets lost is the clock, some settings for the dash and you have to take the automatic drivers side window up once or twice before it becomes automatic again.)

[Avydeverux]

I am considering buying a Leaf, and thanks to you I now know that one I was considering has 5 bars and another has only 3.

[badbenito]

My 2014 Leaf is still running great. Best car I've ever had.

[IrnBruNYC]

Thank you, this is so helpful. I want an EV, but I like small cars, and the only EV I could possibly afford in 2023 is a used Leaf.

[Ray.]

Also a 4th thing when buying one. Make sure the touch screen works correctly! They cot £4800 from a main dealership, very expensive!

[charlesbelanger]

It would be also important to try the AC at full blown cold air cabin air recycle and then full hot heating without ECO mode to make sure that PTC heater Still Working great ! It may break very rare but this might be a backordered part (PTC heater)

[marybilderback]

Great video for 73 yr old grandma looking for a car

[MyAdventurr]

Saved me from buying a lemon! Thanks! Noticed the battery health bars were <5 blocks! Crazy! Not really suitable for my usage. On the hunt though! :)

[sunnypvalencia]

Great video. probably the most helpful video i've seen on what to look for in a used EV.

[mb_a]

Been driving my leaf for 6yrs now (bought it in 2016 for $6995 and it had all 12 bars SOH), oh, and it had just under 30k miles on it and I'm still on the factory brakes (thanks to the regenerative brakes and a lot of one footed driving) To date I have spent $0 on maintenance, I'm on my 3rd set of tires and I've changed the wiper blades 5 times so far. The SOH (state of health) of the battery, like yours, is down to 10 bars and I'm getting close to 70k miles on the OD.
I think your video is very helpful to newbies however at the same time... The only reason I was able to get such a great car at such a great price was because the average person didn't know anything about EV's and would not buy one. I bought mine at a dealer who had put new tires on it but still, no one was interested even though it looked brand new (it was a lease turn in) Your video, helpful as it is, will likely encourage others to buy one of these hidden gems which can only result in the price(s) going up. So.. good video, but bad for future owners who will not likely find these gems priced quite so low as before.

[billbollins]

Great vid Kenny with useful tips, I didn't know any of these before watching your vid.

[anthonycraig]

In the U.K. London, the used LEAF has shot up in price. The cheapest i can find one for(2011) is $8, 000. a few weeks ago I was lucky to get a fantastic 2017 example with 24kwh. The battery is in a perfect state of Health SOH.

I only planned to get this as a temporary car as I wait for my Model Y. I am so impressed with it, that I am going to keep it. I seriously love this car.
Oh the cherry on top, TAX, Parking, Traffic zones, electricity is all FREE.

[Akira-givz]

Your odd yet but attractive demeanor is a nice way to enjoy this “to the point”video thank you!

[mistercmt]

VERY INSIGHTFUL! Thank you for this video, now I am considering Nissan LEAF.

[hoffinger]

Always a good idea to check everything. Power windows, door locks, radio, cd,
Etc.

[ziczac]

Best video i've seen about the Nissan leaf by far, Thanks!

[upcloseimage]

Haha! I love the questions around the 7 minute mark... haha I bet some people still ask those questions!!! This was a very helpful video, thank you! We had a 2013 Leaf and regret getting rid of it.