Nissan Leaf 24kwh Acenta

Ideal first electric car or for anyone not needing a huge range on a single charge.

This is a 2013 model with the more efficient heating system, better regenerative braking, weight reduction, improved aerodynamics and the black interior. It was made in Sunderland, England.

“Granny” charger included, this can be plugged into any 13amp household socket and is how I charge the car 99% of the time.
Type 1 to Type 2 charger cable also included, this can be plugged into most of the free or low cost chargers found at super markets or public charge points. Handy if you want a little top up (often for free) while you are shopping.
Onboard 3. 3 kw charger
Away from home you can also use fast and rapid chargers as long as they are CHAdeMO type.

If you are new to the idea of electric cars download or go to Zapmaps. Filter the search to every “type 2 Mennekes” and every “ChadeMo” in every category and this will give you a good idea of where your local chargers are. Don’t forget, you can also charge at home if you have access to a 13 amp socket.

My Leaf is in generally good condition and everything works exactly as it should. I drive it every day back and forth to work. Don’t believe Nissan or indeed any car manufacturer when it comes to range. I keep careful and accurate records. In the winter range is reduced slightly so I would say the realistic range on a full charge is 55 to 60 miles and in the summer I regularly get about 70 miles. As you can see on the picture of the dash board the estimated range at 100% charge is 81 miles, but my experience is this is always a bit optimistic.

People worry about the life of the battery and how quickly they degrade. The Nissan Leaf has a state of health (SOH) indicator bar to the right of the charge bar. It starts with 12 bars. Mine has 11 bars left so it’s pretty good. I also regularly plug in an app called Leafspy which gives a much more accurate reading. My current Leafspy reading is 82. 12 % battery health. So assuming it started at 100% it has lost 18% in 9 years or roughly 2% per year. As I say, I am getting a range of well over 60 miles in the summer. So I guess in another 5 years time if it drops another 10% you will get 54 miles in the summer. The bar on the far left is battery temperature and pretty much stays in the middle unless you thrash it and then rapid charge it.

The mileage is currently 59146 miles but I am using it every day so this will increase slightly.
The MOT runs out 9th February 2023. It picked up a couple of advisories.
Brake pipes corroded, covered in grease. Basically they have to put this if they can not inspect them because of the grease. They are not corroded, they are painted in waxoyl, by me.
Play in the anti roll bar drop link. This will need doing at some point, it is not urgent and they are under £20 a pair on eBay and probably about and hours labour to change them.
I treated all the box section, underside and sills with waxoyl so this should protect it for years to come.
It is free road tax like all electric cars.

This is a car that gets used so over the years it has picked up several minor scuffs, car park, trolley marks and there are a few small areas of peeling lacquer which I have clear coated just to stop them spreading. These could all be corrected if they really bothered you by one of the mobile minor bodywork people such as Chips Away.

The inside is clean and tidy, we are non smokers. It comes with some good quality made to measure rubber mats and the carpet under them is in great condition. There are some minor marks on the seats which were there when I got the car. It has never bothered me, but a set of seat covers would solve the problem.

This Leaf is a joy to drive, surprisingly nippy and so easy with no gears and instant acceleration. It is almost silent on the move with very little wind or tyre noise and obviously no engine noise.

It has plenty of standard equipment, including all the obvious stuff like ABS, stability control, electric windows as you would expect from any modern car. It also has a reversing camera, satnav, cruise control, blue tooth connection for you phone and a good quality standard sound system. One great feature in the winter is the ability to preheat and defrost the car either by setting the timer or using an app on your phone.

Overall, this is a great Nissan Leaf and a reasonably affordable way of going electric. Yes it shows signs of use, but what 9 year old car doesn’t. Importantly everything works, it has been totally 100% reliable and the battery is in good condition.

When I first started looking for my first EV just trying to work out how and where to charge was very off putting so I hope even if you don’t buy my Leaf I have helped to answer some of these questions.