Editorial review: 21 September 2026. DAT Report 2026 covers the German market and surveys from 2025. These historical figures are retained; they are neither current offers nor a ranking of ownership costs.
In 2025, 13% of used-car buyers said they could consider a used BEV. Among those with BEV driving experience, the figure was 37% (E14). This measures stated interest, not sales share or whether a particular used vehicle is a bargain.
Keep respondent groups separate
E3 reports concerns about resale value (72%), expensive repairs (70%), being stranded (67%) and battery fires (65%). Its base is owners not planning to switch to an EV within the next two years. These opinions are not failure rates. The 80% rejecting used-BEV leasing in E16 refers to used-car buyers with BEV driving experience.
Depreciation continues after the first owner
The first owner’s loss is not an expense incurred by the next buyer. However, the difference between today’s purchase price and the eventual resale proceeds still matters. The short report does not establish a residual-value curve or automatically lower annual depreciation for every three-year-old BEV.
Check the actual vehicle
Review battery condition evidence, vehicle history, charging operation, servicing records and the remaining warranty. Duration, mileage limits, capacity thresholds and transferability depend on the actual manufacturer and vehicle terms. A State of Health reading alone does not replace a full condition assessment.
A survey does not identify the cheapest car
The earlier table of uniformly low costs and assumed warranty coverage has been removed. DAT does not supply the individual purchase and resale prices, insurance quotes, repair requirements or charging tariffs needed for this decision. Compare those inputs with an equivalent combustion car under the same usage assumptions.
Calculate your own scenario
Select the appropriate country, ownership period and mileage. Enter the terms of the actual vehicle and offer in the TCO calculator.
Source: DAT Report 2026, Kurzbericht, E3, E14, E16; Autojahr 2025, DAT / NIQ GfK.