Retailers may be missing a clear opportunity to boost used EV sales by failing to include battery health information in vehicle listings. The automotive retail technology firm says just 28% of retailers currently include battery State of Health (SOH) data in their online adverts.
Autotrader reports that used EV stock on its platform has increased by 40% year-on-year, with available volumes now sitting just under 25,000 vehicles.
Affordability is also improving. Two in five used EVs are now priced below £20,000, a shift that is helping to drive buyer interest.
The company notes that 56% of car buyers are now considering an electric vehicle, up from 47% in 2024. Despite that momentum, battery condition remains a sticking point, with 34% of buyers still identifying battery health concerns as a major barrier to adoption.
Further research shows that only 56% of used car retailers always carry out a battery SOH check when preparing EVs for sale. Another 10% said they perform checks only occasionally.
Nearly a third of retailers admitted they never conduct battery health checks at all.
Those who skip checks often cited reliance on manufacturer warranties, along with a lack of time, equipment, or technical knowledge. One retailer even said they were too scared to carry out a battery health assessment.
Even among retailers who do perform battery checks, transparency remains limited. Just 28% said they always include SOH results in adverts, while 46% said they never include the information.
Autotrader warned that leaving battery health data out of listings could discourage prospective buyers, many of whom may simply move on to another vehicle rather than inquire further.
That said, battery health is still being discussed in many sales interactions. Around 72% of retailers said they talk about battery condition with customers at some point during the buying process. In nearly half of those cases, 45%, the conversation is initiated by the consumer. However, 17% of retailers said they never discuss battery health at all.
With used electric cars repeatedly taking top spot for speed of sale on Autotrader, demand is high but this data suggests there is significant untapped sales potential, if all relevant data was shared with consumers.
“Retailers who are proactive in carrying out official battery health checks and, crucially, including that clearly in their adverts understand the opportunity electrification presents and are giving themselves the best chance of success.
“By giving buyers all the information they need upfront, retailers can immediately differentiate themselves from the competition and unlock a significant stream of sales that would otherwise be lost to doubt.”
It was added that it is actively exploring ways to integrate battery health data directly into its product pages. In the meantime, some retailers have begun uploading images of battery health certificates and referencing SOH details within vehicle descriptions to reassure buyers.
