{"id":102985,"date":"2026-11-10T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ru.law\/?p=90008"},"modified":"2026-10-13T14:59:28","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T12:59:28","slug":"gebraucht-e-auto-reichweite-gewaehrleistung","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ru.law\/en\/gebraucht-e-auto-reichweite-gewaehrleistung\/","title":{"rendered":"Used electric car with limited range: what rules apply?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What warranty rights exist for used electric cars and what role battery age and contract clauses play.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Is your used electric car not achieving the expected range? Special considerations apply to used cars, from shortened warranty periods to battery age. This article explains your rights, how the reversal of the burden of proof helps, and what to look out for in exclusion clauses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warranty on used electric cars<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even when buying a used electric car from a dealer, you as a consumer have warranty rights. If the vehicle is defective, you can demand subsequent performance, a price reduction, rescission of the contract, or damages according to \u00a7 437 of the German Civil Code (BGB). These rights exist independently of any additional warranty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One important difference compared to a new car concerns the warranty period. For used cars, the dealer is permitted to reduce the warranty to one year for consumers. If no such reduction is stipulated, the standard two-year warranty period applies from the date of delivery. A review of the purchase contract will reveal what was agreed upon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It should also be noted that when buying from a private seller, the warranty is usually effectively excluded. The following information therefore primarily concerns purchases from a retailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is your used electric car falling short of its expected range? Have your legal rights and deadlines checked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Range when buying used goods: the right benchmark<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even with a used electric car, range is a characteristic of the vehicle according to \u00a7 434 of the German Civil Code (BGB). However, the standard is different than with a new car. The full range of a new vehicle is no longer expected, but rather the range that is typical for the vehicle's age and mileage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some age-related battery degradation is normal and not a defect. However, a defect should be considered if the range drops significantly more than would be expected given the vehicle's age and mileage. For a general assessment of range deviations, please refer to our page on... Reversal of an electric car purchase due to insufficient range<\/a> the right starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a specific range or battery condition was explicitly guaranteed at the time of sale and this is not achieved, a defect is more likely. General statements such as \"up to a certain range,\" on the other hand, should be assessed with more caution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We will determine whether your range is still within the normal range for your age or constitutes a defect, based on age, mileage and battery condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Battery age as a key issue<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With a used electric car, much depends on the condition of the drive battery. It's the most expensive component and significantly determines the range. The battery's health, or \"state of health,\" indicates how much of its original capacity remains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n