Overview
- The latest consumer guidance published July 30–31, 2026 urges prospective buyers to request a Batteriezertifikat showing the battery’s State of Health or SoH before buying a used electric car.
- ADAC experience offers rough SoH benchmarks to set expectations for wear: about 92% at 50,000 km, 88% at 100,000 km, 84% at 150,000 km and 80% at 200,000 km.
- Certificates are issued by car clubs and testing bodies using different measurement methods so SoH results may not be directly comparable and buyers should ask who performed the test and how it was measured.
- Shoppers should also check real‑world range, past charging habits, whether original charging cables and service records are present, and whether any battery warranty exists and can be transferred to a new owner.
- Because batteries age with time and use and replacements are costly, insisting on a certificate and documenting SoH in the purchase contract can protect buyers and affect resale value and insurance or warranty claims.