A survey by Dealer Auction has found that 45% of trade buyers avoid bidding on EVs with unknown battery health.

Dealer Auction surveyed 539 traders who viewed, bid on, or bought an EV on its platform, and reported that 51% said that a battery health certificate would give them the more confidence than any other factor when bidding on an EV.

Battery health certificates were ranked as more important than EV-specific diagnostics reports, service history, or third party inspections.

90% of respondents also said that battery health certificates would be useful for retailing EVs, while 63% said such certificates could improve an EV’s retail value, and 33% said certificates could help sell vehicles faster.

Dave Pretty, head of OEM and fleet relationships at Dealer Auction said: “It is clear that battery health certificates are not just a ‘nice to have’.

“As confidence is crucial among buyers, especially those shopping online, these certificates are a vital component of an effective electric remarketing strategy.

“For those looking to drive higher bid volumes and reduce price sensitivity, offering more clarity around battery health is a strategically sound initiative.”  

Dealer Auction is a wholesale vehicle marketplace, created as a joint venture between Auto Trader and Cox Automotive.