The six best used EVs to buy for under £10,000 including ‘radical’ BMW and ‘gamechanger’ Tesla
THE six best used EVs to buy for under £10,000 in 2025 have been revealed in a definitive list.
The guide, compiled by experts at TopGear, includes a “radical” BMW and a “gamechanger” Tesla among its options for Brits.
If you fancy going green without spending a fortune, second-hand electric cars are where it’s at.
That’s why we have rounded up six of the best you can buy today for less than £10k.
From quirky city runarounds to motorway mile munchers, there’s never been a better time to plug in and power up.
BMW i3 – from £5,195
First up we have the BMW i3 which is available from £5,915.
The i3 stormed onto the scene back in 2013, looking like it’d been plucked straight out of a sci-fi flick.
But it was too ahead of its time, although it’s now a total bargain.
With its carbon fibre body, aluminium bones and futuristic interior, it was a “radical” rethink of what a city car could be, according to TopGear experts.
But despite all that tech, BMW binned it in 2022 in favour of bulkier EVs.
Early models came with a 22kWh battery, which later got bumped to 33kWh and finally 42kWh – good for up to 193 electric miles.
Nissan Leaf – from £1,750
The Nissan Leaf put electric cars on the map in 2010 but it wasn’t pretty.
The OG model offered just 109 miles from its 24kWh battery.
Still, prices now start at under two grand, making it an EV bargain, according to motor experts.
That said, spend a bit more and go for the second-gen Leaf from 2018 onwards – 40kWh battery, 168 miles range, and a much nicer place to be. Yours from around £5k.
Renault Zoe – from £1,850
Launched in 2012, the Zoe was Renault’s shot at a small, affordable EV and it did the job well.
Over time, its range grew from around 130 miles to a very respectable 242.
However, the model was axed in 2024 in favour of the throwback Renault 5.
You’ll find early Zoes going dirt cheap now, but the sweet spot is a post-2016 model with a 41kWh battery and about 180 miles of range.
Tesla Model 3 – from £10,000
The Tesla Model 3 was a “game changer” for electric vehicles, according to TopGear pros.
Launched in 2017, it smashed the one million global sales mark just four years later and helped make electric cars cool.
Even the oldest versions still offer around 250 miles of range, and the Long Range models push that to 350.
Just be aware to check for panel gaps and rattles as not every Model 3 was built to the tightest standards.
Volkswagen e-Golf – from £6,450
Don’t fancy shouting about your eco credentials? Then the e-Golf’s your guy.
It looks just like a normal Golf but runs on volts.
The Mk7 arrived in 2014 with a 24.2kWh battery and 118 miles range, but the 2017 facelift (aka Mk7.5) got a bigger 35.8kWh unit with 185 miles on tap.
It’s comfy, quiet, and crucially doesn’t have the annoying tech of the newer Mk8.
Kia e-Niro – from £10,000
If you want no-nonsense electric motoring, the Kia e-Niro ticks every box.
It looks and feels like a regular crossover but underneath, it’s a rock-solid electric car with bags of range.
Entry-level versions pack a 39kWh battery for 180 miles, but the real winner is the 64kWh model, giving up to 282 miles.
Most used ones are still covered by Kia’s cracking seven-year warranty too which gives you added peace of mind.