Ribon Car shares tips for buying used electric vehicles: 'Check battery health first'

Buyers of used electric vehicles should carefully check battery condition and whether the manufacturer's warranty remains in effect, according to a certified used-car platform.

Ribon Car, a directly operated certified used-car platform, on Thursday outlined the key factors to verify before purchasing a used electric vehicle, citing charging infrastructure, battery state of health (SOH) and the manufacturer's high-voltage battery warranty as the top priorities.

Unlike internal combustion engine vehicles, electric vehicles rely heavily on battery performance to determine both their value and driving range, making battery condition the first thing buyers should assess. SOH expresses current battery performance as a percentage of original capacity — the higher the figure, the better the condition.

However, SOH alone does not tell the full story. Cell balance, which reflects uniformity across individual battery cells, and high-voltage insulation resistance must be checked using specialized equipment. Buyers should also confirm whether a detailed diagnostic has been conducted and whether the results are disclosed before purchase.

The manufacturer's high-voltage battery warranty is another important item to verify. Most manufacturers cover the battery for a set period or mileage, so checking the remaining warranty on a vehicle in advance can help buyers avoid unexpected maintenance costs.

Ribon Car inspects electric vehicle-specific items — including SOH, cell balance, cell voltage and high-voltage insulation resistance — through its own quality inspection standard, RQI, and publishes the results on each vehicle's detail page.

Ribon Car recommended the Kia Niro EV and EV6 as entry-level used electric vehicle options. The Niro EV offers a driving range of more than 400 kilometers on a single charge and competitive pricing, while the EV6 is built on a dedicated electric vehicle platform, E-GMP, and features an 800-volt ultra-fast charging system.

"Buying a used electric vehicle involves different considerations than buying an internal combustion engine vehicle, so it is important to check not only the vehicle inspection record but also battery condition and warranty status," a Ribon Car official said. "Ribon Car transparently provides EV-specific inspection items and related information so customers can choose a vehicle with confidence."

Meanwhile, Ribon Car has been expanding its customer touchpoints through various marketing activities, including a certified used-car discount promotion it ran in May for Family Month.