First EV advise: Motoring Motoring Discussion forum

Motoring Discussion > First EV advise	Buying / Selling
Thread Author: legacylad	Replies: 17

Mon 30 Dec 24 12:55

First EV advise - legacylad

Friend of mine has an old diesel estate, P reg A4 1.9 tdi. He’s kept it because he and his partner looked after deceased parents properties…useful for tools, gardening machinery etc. After a health scare, said properties are in the process of being sold, and he only drove 2k miles in the car last year…all local to and from the rental properties.
Most of the time they use his partners car..
He’s considering changing after 25+ years, either self charging hybrid or full electric, doubtless he’ll keep the car a long time…he’s 70yo, plenty of room to install a home charger, money isn’t an obstacle.
Realistically, is an EV an option given those circumstances, and if so any recommendations please. I wouldn’t have a clue where to start.
He’s very very environmentally conscious and thinks that keeping the old diesel on the road is a good thing…maybe it is given his exceedingly low annual mileage…personally I’d be worried about lack of airbags ( if the single one does work at that age) crumple zones etc

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Mon 30 Dec 24 13:20

First EV advise - smokie

If he is set on changing and cost really is no object then a full EV is very much the way to go IMO for a low mileage driver. Especially if he makes sure he gets one which would cover 90%+ of his journeys without charging away from home (which isn't anywhere near as problematic as it was but can still be a faff).

Unless you enjoy roaring around upsetting the neighbourhood the EV driving experience is utterly pleasant, and most EVs would be quicker off the mark than his diesel if rapid acceleration is important.

He should allow £1k for a home charger installation, with which running costs would be considerably below any ICE car. My insurance went up a bit this year but then so did my wife and daughters so I don't think that was anything unusual. Servicing is dirt cheap (my first three years main dealers services with the now-sold MG were under £290 and that included the first MOT and full AA cover renewal). I believe Teslas don't even have to be serviced annually. There is not much to go wrong with them. Road tax is coming soon (April) at £190 pa, and there are some benefits driving in some cities (e.g. no congestion charge in London but that ends soon) and of course there are often empty charging bays in otherwise busy car parks (though you are supposed to charge when in them!!)

I think there are a fair few fairly new 2nd hand out there at good prices but I understand the market is ion the up again (which always happens just after I sell something!!)

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Mon 30 Dec 24 13:42

First EV advise - Zero

He sounds like a prime candidate for a full EV. So its just a matter of interior size for needs and purchase price, doesent even sound like he needs a long range version.

As for airbags? at 70 years of age its not high on my list of requirements.

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Mon 30 Dec 24 13:53

First EV advise - legacylad

I’m assuming ( never assume) he will continue to be a low mileage driver…I think an EV would be perfect for his situation. A mid sized hatch…good build quality, not performance orientated, low maintenance ( I assume they all are ?)….seeing him soon so will discuss at length.
Neither of us have a clue…. :-)

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Mon 30 Dec 24 15:29

First EV advise - smokie

I'm not really recommending but do look at the MG4 EV. Reasonable price and quite well equipped. Not as premium in some respects as others but you get what you pay for. My b-i-l has one and loves it. It has enough bells and whistles for most.

And whatever you're buying, if new make sure to look at Carwow, there are some blinding offers out there sometimes.

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Mon 30 Dec 24 15:51

First EV advise - legacylad

Thanks.
Bright orange MG4 on Motorpoint.
I’ve no idea of reliability on these EVs.

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Mon 30 Dec 24 16:56

First EV advise - smokie

Nothing much to go wrong on them, short or long term.

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Mon 30 Dec 24 17:05

First EV advise - CGNorwich

Good value and has a good spec. Dealer network has come in for criticism and build quality not perhaps the best but very popular.

Similar size cars are Cupra Born and VW ID 3 . Basically the same car. Early versions of software were a bit flaky but now resolved with various updates. Have had an ID3 for two and a half years and I really like it. Easy to drive, spacious and all the performance you need. Range is about 230 miles in summer and 200 in winter. No problems with it at all.

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Mon 30 Dec 24 17:06

First EV advise - Dog

Check out the Kia eNero, LL.

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Mon 30 Dec 24 21:49

First EV advise - Bobby

70 year old would, I guess, like a car with easy access so the “higher up” cars would maybe make sense?

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Mon 30 Dec 24 22:29

First EV advise - CGNorwich

Most EVs sit a bit higher than ICE vehicles because of the battery. My ID3 is certainly easier to access than a Golf which is comparable. I'm 75 and its fine

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Mon 30 Dec 24 22:35

First EV advise - Bromptonaut

>> 70 year old would, I guess, like a car with easy access so the “higher
>> up” cars would maybe make sense?

In theory that's right. My Mum however couldn't get into our Berlingo because the seats were to far back from the cill.

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Mon 30 Dec 24 23:21

First EV advise - Lygonos

MG5 seems pretty bulletproof. If I was looking for a "forever" hassle-free EV it would be hard to ignore.

Like the Octavia diesel of the EV world.

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406040387224 £18k for a demo.

Luscombes are selling brand new for £20k.

That's like Fiesta money (if they still made them...)

James Coates works for Cleevely motors as a mobile servicing mechanic and has been running an EV channel for about a decade - this is a 143k review on his MG5 that has been given a van makeover:

youtu.be/ytO36VSujrM?feature=shared

Last edited by: Lygonos on Mon 30 Dec 24 at 23:22

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Tue 31 Dec 24 09:46

First EV advise - smokie

MG4 is more SUV-like and can be had for about £25k through Carwow.

In either MG5 or MG4 I'd be looking at the Trophy variant (top of the range) for the best "toys" - they seem to have a lot more than the other base spec (Excite?), and are mostly useful.

Also ensure battery is at least 60kw to get best range (there were lower variants in earlier models. My daughter is annoyed with herself for going cheap 2nd hand as she can't quite reach us comfortably on one charge at this time of year)

I'm on my second MG5. Had the first for 24k miles and three years and would have been a keeper except for the blinding offers on new ones which as above are still out there to be had (less colour/spec choice as time goes on). Again, the cheaper ones are lower spec and best avoided. I think mine was about £22k.

Last edited by: smokie on Tue 31 Dec 24 at 09:48

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Tue 31 Dec 24 11:12

First EV advise - Lygonos

youtu.be/WcDbJ-aG9UE?feature=shared

Updated a few hours ago - MOT day at 152k miles

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Tue 31 Dec 24 12:48

First EV advise - smokie

Wow, 152k miles at first MOT and not even an advisory - and he didn't even wash it!!

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Wed 1 Jan 25 12:47

First EV advise - smokie

Wouldn't bother trying this in your average ICE car...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBwmAMNI9qk

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Wed 1 Jan 25 13:24

First EV advise - zippy

>> Wouldn't bother trying this in your average ICE car...
>>
>> www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBwmAMNI9qk
>>

One battered Range Rover later...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf0lc93e2ng

:-D

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