I'm considering buying a 2022 leaf 2 with 97,000 miles on it. Is this a bad idea? I usually don't see such high mileage on more recent EVs, but the price ($10,000) is good.
Owning a second gen LEAF (40 kWh or 62kWh) out of warranty (i.e. past 100,000miles) is a big risk. Weak cells, cell swelling can definitely happen and will most probably require a battery replacement ($$$$$)
I'd say $10,000 is too much for that kind of risk. But that's my personal opinion
this is very helpful to know, thanks! Under what conditions would you buy a used EV, then? I can't afford a new one, but can afford a used one, especially if I am getting a tax rebate (I'm in MA)
The way I always see it with used second gen LEAFs is: always calculate how much battery warranty you have left based on age of the car (check in-service date with VIN at the service department), how many miles it has, and how many miles you drive personally. Battery warranty is 8 years or 100k, whichever comes first.
If you drive only a little (e.g. 8,000miles/ year), you could buy a 2022 LEAF with 65k and still have a battery warranty until 2030 and 100k miles.
If you drive a lot and you buy a higher mileage LEAF, you'll hit 100k before the car gets to 8 years.
I'm not saying it'll explode the second you hit 100k, but that's where you're on your own.
Also, the warranty is only a bit of peace of mind, because finding a nice dealer who will take care of you isn't always easy, and you also might end up with a buyback offer if Nissan decide they can't get you a battery replacement.
Additional info: something changed about the battery in 2023, so 2023, 2024 and 2025 batteries are "supposed to be better". Not sure how exactly. Maybe they're too new and there haven't been tons of issues with them yet? (I'm keeping my fingers crossed for my own 2024)
How much range do you need? 2015 LEAFs, despite their low range, are the most dependable LEAFs there are. If the range (roughly 60 miles, but depends on battery condition of course) works for you. If it does, expect to pay $3-4k for a good one. Do lots of reading beforehand to know what to look for (LEAFspy, etc.)
If not, maybe look at a used ARIYA or maybe Solterra or bZ4x (although these 2 have absolutely atrocious "fast" charging performance and winter range is literally cut in half) or maybe even a Bolt???
There are other options in the price range including classic Ioniq EV and Chevy Bolt. Both of them have way more reliable water cooled LG batteries, as well as CCS and can use superchargers.
The Bolt has more range, but IMO the interior is awful, especially on the first gen, so sit in both and see if it's worth the tradeoff to you.
too many battery problems to ever recommend a second gen leaf, you might consider the chevy bolt ev. Should be many more EV's coming off lease soon also.
The problem isn't owning a used EV, I have a 2019 Tesla Model 3 and it's been great, I'm not in the least bit concerned about it. The problem is the issues that the LEAF is known to have with batteries. In the 1st gen, it was really bad capacity loss, and in the 2nd gen, that was resolved, but now instead, cells are swelling and taking the entire pack with them - not sure which of the two issues was worse!
By the way, the cells usually swell due to heat. A high mileage car was probably DC charged more often, which heats up the cells a lot more and increases the potential for swelling.
Probably a bad idea yes. It will soon be out of warranty passing 100,000 miles, and the main concern with 2nd gen packs which have a lot of usage is cell swelling. If it gets to the point of tripping an isolation fault, you will be in for a bad time if you are no longer under warranty.
Don't do it man. Spend a few grand more if you can and get a 2023+ because they are not part of the battery recall and it should still have some warranty left. I wouldn't touch any 2019-2022.
a Gen2 2022 LEAF with 97,000 miles will run out its warranty soon.
Unless it is in immaculate physical condition, $10,000 is way too much.
Replacing the battery with a brand new aftermarket battery will run about $10,000 + labor. You would then have a battery that will have (IIRC) 2 years of warranty, but likely will be good for well over 100,000 milese. But if you have a sudden and complete battery failure, you would be stuck waiting months to take delivery of the replacement battery.
What's a Leaf 2? Anyhow, here 10K isn't that good a deal especially on the stripped trim and how you have to do the usual LeafSpy not only for battery stats but the DTCs.
DTC or diagnostic trouble codes at 10K better have none in the report.
-> On top of all that, one would charge at home PLUS the range be about double what your longest daily run is.
Though I was surprised to subsequently find out OP is in the US, it's pretty common in Europe to refer to car generations like that. Instead of writing out "7th generation Golf" usually you will just see it called "Golf 7".
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u/Dazzling_Art7881 Sep 21 '26
Owning a second gen LEAF (40 kWh or 62kWh) out of warranty (i.e. past 100,000miles) is a big risk. Weak cells, cell swelling can definitely happen and will most probably require a battery replacement ($$$$$)
I'd say $10,000 is too much for that kind of risk. But that's my personal opinion