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•12w

Hi, I'm planning to buy an EV with a budget of under 20 lakh. How is the used EV market in India? What are the common issues that arise during ownership, especially while the battery is still under warranty? Also, what are the typical service costs?

•12w

The used EV market is still evolving, and there is no clear pattern at the moment with regard to value. The biggest factor affecting resale value is battery health, so cars with a healthy battery and a clear service history tend to hold value reasonably well. The key is to buy a car that is still within the manufacturer’s battery warranty period, and make sure that the warranty is transferable to the new owner.

In terms of problems, electric cars have far fewer moving parts than ICE cars, so there is less to go wrong mechanically. The most common issues tend to be software glitches, infotainment bugs and occasional charging-related niggles. Battery degradation is the biggest long-term concern, but most modern EVs are holding up well, and manufacturers typically offer 8-year battery warranties. As long as the battery health remains within the warranty threshold, you are covered.

Service bills are generally lower than ICE cars because there are no oil changes, fewer fluids and fewer wear items. Most service visits are basic checks, software updates and brake inspections. The main costs come from tyres as these can wear out faster thanks to the extra weight and instant torque they have to handle. The big unknown is out-of-warranty battery replacement, which can be expensive, but this is rare within the first 8-10 years if the car is well cared for.

With a budget below Rs 20 lakh, however, you can actually opt for a new EV like the Tata Nexon EV, the MG Windsor or even the upcoming Kia Syros EV, and this may be a better option if you cannot find a good used electric vehicle.

Explore cars mentioned

Tata

Nexon EV

from ₹13.25 Lakh

Windsor

from ₹14.95 Lakh

•11w•

I rather buy a brand new ev with that budget and stop worrying about battery issue.... Go with the curv I think it makes more sense or the sierra ev base model

•11w•

I agree with this 👍

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•3d

Hello Autocar Team, I’m planning to buy an EV in November 2026. Please suggest one between the following options: Hyundai Creta Electric 51.2kWh Smart (O) and Tata Nexon EV Empowered Plus

•15h

There's a substantial price difference between the top-end variants of the Hyundai Creta Electric and Tata Nexon EV. But since you're comfortable with spending more for the Hyundai, we'd certainly recommend it over this Tata car. The Creta Electric is the more mature product, with a larger battery, a more spacious cabin and a more premium overall feel. Also, you're likely to get an additional 100km (or more) real-world range with the Creta Electric, and its DC fast charging capability is also better than the Tata's. Additionally, it also benefits from Hyundai's strong service network which is important for long-term ownership.We would also recommend you to consider a Kia Syros EV, that is a compact offering with a large battery, excellent cabin space, a posh interior, and is priced a bit more affordable than the Creta Electric.

Hyundai Creta Electric

Tata Nexon EV

Kia Syros EV

•9h

MG has launched the hector blackstorm and snowstorm editions. Do these special editions actually make the hector more appealing or not?

•10h

Renault is offering benefits of up to ₹2.1 lakh on the Duster this month. Anyone planning to buy one?

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•6d

Hi Autocar Team, I am confused between the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel manual and automatic. My current ride is a Fluidic Verna diesel manual, which is nearing 15 years of ownership and has clocked nearly 2.5 lakh km. My usage consists of mixed city and highway driving, with around 40km daily and weekend highway runs of about 400km. For long-term ownership, which would be the better choice: the manual or automatic?

•6d

Go for the XUV 7XO AX7T diesel automatic. The diesel engine is well suited to your high running, and the automatic gearbox is a proven torque converter unit that is reliable and well matched to the engine. This Mahindra car will make your daily city driving far less tiring, while still being smooth and efficient on the highway. Coming from a 15-year-old Hyundai Verna diesel manual, the automatic will feel like a significant upgrade in terms of comfort and ease of use, without compromising on long-term reliability. The manual is still a good option if you strongly prefer the engagement, but for your usage and ownership horizon, the automatic is the smarter choice.

Mahindra XUV 7XO

Hyundai Verna

•2d

I am a 6 ft driver who loves driving. I've driven the Swift 2013 petrol, Creta 1.6 Diesel Auto and the XUV500 the most on long trips. Now that I am planning to buy a car with a strict budget, do you think the 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol variant will be a wise decision to make, as I will be travelling once a month for short trips from Bangalore to Coorg, Pondicherry, GOA, and Mangalore? Which other car can be a perfect match for me, keeping a budget of 12 lakhs max? Also, the 3XO AX5 I'm getting from a friend who has hardly driven 6k km for 10 lakhs.

•1d

Go for the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 TCMPFI petrol from your friend for Rs 10 lakh. At that price, it is a very good deal and a sensible upgrade from your Creta 1.6 diesel automatic. The 3XO is one of the most spacious compact SUVs in the segment, with a wide cabin and good rear seat comfort, which will make your long drives to Coorg, Pondicherry, Goa and Mangalore more comfortable. The turbo petrol engine is smooth and is well suited to both city driving and highway cruising. At Rs 10 lakh for a car with only 6,000 km on the clock, you are getting a nearly new car at a significant discount, which makes it a far better value proposition than buying new.If you are looking for alternatives under Rs 12 lakh, the Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI manual is the best option for an enthusiast driver. The new Brezza turbo-petrol could also be a good choice. Overall, the 3XO from your friend is the most sensible choice. It offers a good balance of comfort, reliability and value, and will serve you well on your monthly road trips.

I currently drive a 2018 Hyundai Creta 1.6 petrol automatic, which is very comfortable. Its mileage is around 7-8 kpl, and my monthly running is 1,000-1,200 km. Please advise on a good vehicle with decent mileage and comfort. I look forward to your advice.

•5d

With 1,000-1,200 km a month and a 7-8 km/l Creta 1.6 petrol automatic, the priority should be better fuel efficiency without sacrificing comfort. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the most sensible upgrade. It delivers significantly better real-world fuel economy, especially in city driving, while still offering a comfortable ride and a well-equipped cabin. The hybrid system is proven and reliable, and the ownership experience is straightforward.If you want a more premium feel and are willing to accept slightly lower fuel efficiency, the Kia Seltos petrol IVT is a strong alternative. It offers a more upmarket cabin and a comfortable ride, but it will not match the Victoris Hybrid on fuel savings.The Hyundai Creta petrol IVT is also worth considering if you want to stay within the Hyundai family. It offers a familiar ownership experience and a comfortable ride, but again, it will not be as efficient as the Victoris Hybrid.Overall, the Victoris Hybrid strikes the best balance between fuel efficiency, comfort and long-term ownership costs for your usage pattern.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Hyundai Creta

Kia Seltos

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