Buyers guide: Choosing a used Nissan LEAF

The Nissan LEAF is – if we do say so ourselves – one of the most important electric cars ever sold in the UK.

When it was launched, it helped bring EV ownership into the mainstream – and now 15 years on, it’s one of the most accessible ways to buy a practical used electric car.

There are plenty of used LEAFs around, but choosing the right one is not quite as simple as picking a colour and mileage. Over the years, the LEAF has been offered in two main used-car generations, with different battery sizes, trim levels, charging equipment and real-world range.

The good news is that the basics are easy to understand once you know what to look for. Here is a generation-by-generation guide.

First-generation Nissan LEAF: 2011 to 2017

The original Nissan LEAF arrived in the UK in 2011 and was a landmark car. It was a five-door family hatchback, fully electric, easy to drive and designed for normal people rather than early-adopter enthusiasts.

Today, the first-generation LEAF is usually the cheapest way into Nissan EV ownership. It can make a lot of sense as a second car, commuter car or local runabout, especially if you can charge at home.

The main thing to understand is that early LEAFs have a shorter range than newer EVs. That does not make them bad cars, but it does mean you need to be realistic about how you will use one.

Early 24kWh cars (2011 – 2013)

The earliest UK LEAFs used a 24kWh battery. These cars were initially built in Japan and were sold in one well-equipped trim level.

For the time, the LEAF was impressively advanced. It had automatic transmission, a quiet electric motor, a practical five-door body and a cabin that felt very futuristic compared with many petrol and diesel hatchbacks of the period.

As a used buy today, a 24kWh LEAF is best suited to shorter journeys. Think commuting, school runs, station trips, local errands and regular journeys where you know the distance.

Japan-built LEAFs can be spotted thanks to an electronic handbrake lever in the centre console, and are exclusively available with a light, cream-coloured interior.

British-built 24kWh & 30kWh cars (2013 – 2018)

In 2013, production of the LEAF for Europe moved to Nissan’s Sunderland plant. At the same time, the car received a useful update, with more than 100 changes, improved efficiency and a broader trim range. Although the battery size didn’t change initially, its chemistry was improved, giving an increased range.

2013 also saw the introduction of the all-important heat pump: bringing a much more efficient way of heating the cabin without using too much energy. In 2015, Nissan introduced a 30kWh model – giving another helpful boost to the LEAF’s range.

It’s also worth checking whether your first generation LEAF is fitted with a 6.6kW onboard charger. In short, this roughly halves the time needed to charge the car using a conventional EV wall box – so could be useful, depending on your circumstances.

First-generation trim levels

Visia was the entry-level version, and a great way to get into electric motoring on a budget. Plenty of equipment was included, such as climate control and a stereo with Bluetooth, but missed out on a touch screen infotainment system.

Acenta is one of the most popular versions. It added useful everyday equipment such as a touch screen infotainment system, rear-view camera and extra convenience features. Alloy wheels and soft, comfortable interior fabrics also set it apart.

Tekna was the range-topper, with some real luxuries included. Leather upholstery, heated seats front and rear, a heated steering wheel, and even a Bose speaker system were all standard. If you are buying a LEAF as an affordable but pleasant daily driver, Tekna is well worth considering.

Technology on-board

Although the original LEAF first appeared 15 years ago, it has a cabin filled with technology that still looks up-to-date today.

As you’d expect, the LEAF’s original infotainment system can’t quite compare with the sorts of screen sizes available in Nissan’s current line-up. However, it still functions well, with Bluetooth streaming and satellite navigation functions still impressing today.

You can still take advantage of the LEAF’s charging and climate control timers, too. Using the car’s infotainment screen, you can easily set individual times for the car to start and stop charging – helpful for an overnight electricity tariff – and either heat up or cool down before you set off.

What to check on a used first-generation LEAF

The biggest thing to check is battery health. The LEAF helpfully shows battery capacity using bars on the dashboard – up to a maximum of 12 when the car was new.

It’s worth remembering that all electric cars will lose a small amount of capacity as they age, but it’s nothing to worry about: batteries in EVs, unlike consumer electronic devices, are designed to last well beyond the normal lifespan of the car.

First generation LEAFs are widely regarded as some of the most reliable cars on the road, so in short, there isn’t much to check.

Making sure the car has been regularly serviced is a good indication that it’s been looked after, but beyond that, a first generation LEAF is a ticket to reliable, efficient and inexpensive motoring.

How much should I pay for a first-generation LEAF?

Buying a first generation LEAF is one of the most budget-friendly ways to get into electric motoring, with prices starting from as little as £1,000 for a high-mileage 2011-registered example.

If you’re looking for the newest and best-kept examples of the first generation LEAF, around £5,000 should get you a cherished, low mileage car from close to the end of production in 2017.

You can search our used car page on our website to see available cars in our dealerships near you.

Second-generation Nissan LEAF: 2018 onwards

The second-generation LEAF arrived in the UK in 2018, with a much more modern look and feel. It has sharper styling, a more powerful motor, a more conventional cabin layout and a larger battery from the start.

For many buyers, this is the best place to begin. A second-generation LEAF costs more than an older model, but also offers more space, range and technology.

It still has the same basic strengths: It’s quiet, smooth, practical and inexpensive to run. But it builds on these with a more premium interior, more modern infotainment system, and longer range.

The standard second-generation LEAF launched with a 40kWh battery, and is perhaps the most common version available: gaining a useful extra amount of range over the previous generation car.

If you want your LEAF to take you further still, be on the lookout for a 62kWh e+ version.

With a larger battery and a more powerful motor, it gives a much longer official range than the 40kWh version and is better suited to drivers who regularly do longer journeys.

Externally, there’s little to tell the two versions apart – although early versions of the e+ can be spotted by a reflective blue strip on the front valance of the car.​

Second-generation trim levels

The second-generation LEAF range has included several trims and special editions, so used listings can look a little confusing. The names you are most likely to see include Visia, Acenta, N-Connecta, Tekna, 2.Zero, 3.Zero, N-TEC and e+ versions.

Visia was once again the entry point. It gives you the basic LEAF experience, but does away with some styling items like alloy wheels. It suits buyers who simply want the newest, cheapest second-generation car.

Acenta adds useful everyday equipment and is a strong value choice. It’s often a sensible pick if you want a good balance of price, features and running costs.

N-Connecta is a very popular used choice, bringing yet more comfort and technology. Depending on the car, this can include items such as larger alloy wheels, heated seats, heated steering wheel, parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system.

Tekna is the high-spec version and is usually the one to look for if you want the plushest interior and the most driver assistance technology. It can include features such as LED headlights, Bose audio and ProPILOT, depending on the model year.

Various special edition models were also available on this generation of LEAF, each with their own unique specifications. 2.Zero and 3.Zero were available at the very launch of the car, for example, while the LEAF10 version was created to celebrate the LEAF’s 10 year anniversary. A Shiro version (meaning ‘white’ in Japanese) was made available in more recent years.

Technology on-board

Second-generation LEAFs feel much more modern than the original. Many cars include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims can add ProPILOT driver assistance, a Bose sound system, a 360-degree camera and more advanced safety features.

One standout feature is e-Pedal: making its debut on the second-generation LEAF. Designed to make driving easier, it allows you to both accelerate and slow down using just the accelerator pedal: meaning less leg pain for the driver, and a smoother ride for passengers.

ProPILOT, available on selected versions, is also worth having if you spend lots of time on motorways or in traffic. It can help with steering, acceleration and braking assistance, but the driver remains responsible at all times.

What to check on a used second-generation LEAF

As with the first-generation car, this version of the Nissan LEAF is widely understood to be one of the most reliable cars on the road.

Look for a clear service history, and evidence that the car has been well looked-after: many LEAFs are cherished by their owners.

Depending on the year it was produced, many used LEAFs are still within their original battery warranty too – so there’s even less to worry about here.

How much should I pay for a second-generation Nissan LEAF?

When it comes to finding a second generation LEAF, there are lots of used examples to choose from – with prices ranging from as little as £6,000 for older, higher mileage cars.

Around £9,000 should be enough to find you a 40kWh car with low miles, while a 60kWh e+ version will typically start from around £10,000.

Wessex Garages used car page is great way of finding the right used LEAF for you, with all the reassurance of buying from an official Nissan dealer. 

Which used LEAF should you buy?

If you want the cheapest possible route into EV ownership, a first-generation 24kWh LEAF can still make sense. It’s best for short-to-medium length, predictable journeys and home charging.

If you want a used LEAF as a main family car, a second-generation 40kWh model is the best starting point. It feels newer, drives better and gives a much more useful range than the early cars.

If you regularly do longer journeys, look for a 62kWh LEAF e+. It’s the most capable used LEAF hatchback and the one that feels least like a compromise.

A sensible used EV choice – no matter which version you pick

The Nissan LEAF has been around long enough to become something rare in the electric car world: a proven, plentiful and affordable used EV.

The first-generation car, once a pioneer of electric mobility, still holds up today as a great EV.

The second-generation car is a genuinely usable electric family hatchback. The 40kWh model gives a strong balance of value and practicality, while the 62kWh e+ adds the extra range many drivers want.

As with any used electric car, the key is to buy with your real life in mind. Think about your daily mileage, where you will charge, how often you travel long distances and how much range you genuinely need.

Choose carefully, check the battery properly, and a used Nissan LEAF can still be a very smart way to make the switch to electric driving.​

Looking to the future: third generation LEAF

LEAF is now entering its third generation, and is set to be the most spacious, refined and advanced version yet.

With a driving range of up to 386 miles, improved charging speeds of up to 150kW, and a whole host of new technology inside – including Google Built-In – third generation LEAF is set to be the best yet.

Although it’ll be some time before used examples become available, with a competitive list price of £32,249 (after the £3,750 new EV grant is applied), third generation LEAF is available to order now from your local Wessex Nissan dealer.