51% of trade EV buyers prioritise battery health certificates above all

Almost half of trade buyers bidding on electric vehicles (EVs) avoid doing so when they don’t know the health of the battery, according to new research from Dealer Auction. This study reveals the importance of clear information regarding battery health.

Online buyers value battery health certificates, with 51 per cent of those surveyed placing a battery health certificate first as a factor that would give them more confidence when bidding on an electric car. This ranked above offerings including service history, EV-specific diagnostics and a third-party inspection. Forty-five per cent of buyers would be more likely to bid on an EV with a battery health certificate than on an identical model without one.

Additionally, 90 per cent of respondents stated that a battery health certificate would be useful for marketing an EV to retail customers, with only one respondent say it would not make a difference. 

Sixty-three per cent said that battery health certificate would improve the retail value of an EV and 33 per cent said it would “possible help with faster sales.”

Dave Pretty, head of OEM and fleet relationships at Dealer Auctions said: “It is clear that battery health certificates are not just a ‘nice to have’. As confidence is crucial among buyers, especially those that are shopping online, these certificates are a vital component of an effective electric remarking strategy. For those looking to drive higher bid volumes and reduce price sensitivity, offering more clarity around battery health is a strategically sound initiative.”