Introducing Pre-Loved: Second-Hand EV Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme
17 June 2025
We’re very excited to share that our Green Car salary sacrifice scheme just got even greener! Second-hand electric cars – fondly known as Pre-loved Cars – are now available to new clients. The introduction of second-hand electric vehicles (EVs) makes our scheme even more energy-efficient and accessible to employees seeking more affordable options. Dive into our guide on all things pre-loved.
Summary:
Is it Worth Buying a Second-Hand EV?
What is the Average Lifespan of an Electric Car?
Can You Get Tax Relief on a Second-Hand Electric Car?
What’s the Best Second-Hand Electric Car?
What are the Benefits of Offering Second-Hand EV Cars?
Do the Green Car Scheme Perks Differ Between New and Pre-Loved EVs?
Go Even Greener. Be More Inclusive. Pre-Loved EV Cars with Pluxee UK
As we’re dedicating this blog to all things pre-loved, if you have any questions or want to understand the fundamentals of our Green Car salary sacrifice scheme, first read our blog, ‘Everything You Need to Know About EV Salary Sacrifice Schemes’.
There are some drivers – usually those who’ve never owned an electric car – who still have reservations about electric vehicles (EVs). When it comes to the second-hand EV car market, those reservations increase because some believe that the buyer takes on additional risk.
We’re about to do some serious myth-busting and also make a clear distinction. When you take on a new or second-hand EV via a salary sacrifice scheme, you’re not buying it. You’re leasing it.
When you take on a Green Car scheme, there is no risk. Maintenance, service, MOT and battery are all included as part of the package.
Is it Worth Buying a Second-Hand EV?
It’s a commonly asked question: Is it worth buying a second-hand EV? It’s also a question we won't address in this blog.
Sorry.
We’re not in the business of selling cars. We offer employee benefits and can help you embed a salary sacrifice scheme into your workplace, such as our Green Car scheme.
It’s not a traditional finance agreement. There’s no interest added. Employees pay for their cars through a salary sacrifice arrangement, saving them money by reducing their National Insurance Contributions (NIC) and tax.
So, we don’t really know if it’s worth buying a second-hand EV car, but we do know that it’s definitely worth leasing one through the salary sacrifice arrangement, as we’ll prove during this blog.
What is the Average Lifespan of an Electric Car?
If you explore what electric car manufacturers and experts have to say, you'll find that electric cars have an estimated lifespan of 15 to 20 years. They attribute this timeline to the expected battery lifespan, not the car as a whole.
Most new EV car schemes run over four years, at which point, the majority of drivers take on another scheme. That’s why we’re able to offer pre-loved cars; drivers upgrade once their lease is over. Sometimes, cars are returned early for one reason or another, so at most, a second-hand EV on our scheme will likely be no more than four years old.
In the worst-case scenario, you choose a car that has been through two owners. The vehicle could be eight years old – twelve by the time your scheme ends. However, since Pre-loved Cars is a new service, the EVs are likely to be no more than four years old.
How Much Does it Cost to Replace an Electric Car Battery?
The cost of replacing an EV car battery varies depending on make, model and wattage, but on average, it’s estimated at just over £7,000 (Book My Garage).
We’re sharing this information to address a commonly asked question – something that will likely be on your employees’ minds when considering enrolling in a second-hand EV car scheme. Still, it’s not something they need to concern themselves with.
When you enrol in our Green Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme, we have everything covered, including annual servicing, maintenance, insurance, MOT, replacement tyres, and roadside assistance. So, in the unlikely event of there being an issue with the battery of a second-hand EV, it won’t cost your employees a penny to replace it. It’s covered.
Can You Get Tax Relief on a Second-hand Electric Car?
From a road tax perspective, second-hand EVs adhere to the same rules as new models. The Government has published updated guidelines allowing you to check the tax rate of your EV.
Access the updated Government guidance here.
Are Second-Hand EVs Tax-Deductible?
We’ll reiterate that we’re answering these questions based on leasing a car via the salary sacrifice scheme arrangement, not private leasing or purchasing a vehicle outright.
With a salary sacrifice scheme, employees enjoy the same NIC and tax savings with a second-hand EV as they do with a brand-new one. Employers benefit from reducing their NI contributions, too.
The same rules for Benefit in Kind (BiK) apply with second-hand EVs, too, as you have to use the original list price of the car on your P11D submission.
What’s the Best Second-Hand Electric Car?
If you take a look at our blog, ‘Everything You Need to Know About EV Salary Sacrifice Schemes’, you’ll see that what people consider to be the best differs depending on personal taste and what you need from your car.
It’s safe to say that if a car were popular enough for an employee to take it on as brand-new, it would eventually become available as a pre-loved option. You can expect second-hand EVs of all makes and models to become available, and they get snapped up quickly.
If your employees have their heart set on a pre-loved option, you should advise them to check the pre-loved section regularly and act when they see something they want.
What are the Benefits of Offering Second-Hand EV Cars?
We’ve established that the tax and NIC savings terms are the same for new and second-hand electric cars, so what are the additional benefits of embracing pre-loved models?
More Affordable and Inclusive
As part of the rules of the salary sacrifice arrangement, employees aren’t eligible to enrol in a Green Car scheme if the monthly repayments take their salary below the National Minimum Wage. We already offer a wide selection of new electric vehicles (EVs) to suit a diverse range of budgets. By introducing second-hand EVs, you’re making the scheme more affordable, as well as more inclusive and accessible for lower-paid employees.
CSR & ESG
Every employee who enrols in your Green Car scheme helps reduce your business’s carbon footprint because they’re adopting a more environmentally friendly way of commuting.
With a pre-loved EV, you can further enhance your CSR credentials because your employees have taken on an existing vehicle, thereby reducing the need to manufacture new cars.
Do the Green Car Scheme Perks Differ Between New and Pre-Loved EVs?
On the whole, the terms of the scheme are the same for new and second-hand EVs, but there are some differences to flag. Read on for the nitty gritty.
National Insurance Contributions (NIC) & Tax Savings
When it comes to how the NIC and tax savings work, it’s exactly the same for new and pre-loved cars. Regardless of the car's condition, the salary sacrifice scheme arrangements remain the same. The employer deducts monthly repayments from the employee’s gross pay, reducing the amount paid in NIC and tax.
Employers reduce their NIC bills in the same way.
Maintenance and Insurance
As we mentioned when discussing EV batteries, one of the most outstanding features of our Green Car scheme, and another reason it offers better value than traditional finance, is that we include car maintenance as part of the package.
Insurance, maintenance, servicing, replacement tyres and breakdown cover are all part of the package, whether your EV is brand-new or pre-loved.
Quality Assurance
Employees expect a new car to be flawless. While second-hand EVs may show signs of their previous life, we bring them up to the BVRLA Fair, Wear and Tear standard, ensuring they’re in the best possible shape. We also include photos of any imperfections with the listing for complete transparency.
We put our second-hand EVs through thorough maintenance checks, inspecting all parts to ensure we’re aware of all imperfections.
Lead Time
We only list pre-loved cars when they become available. The lead time from placing an order to receiving the vehicle is typically around four weeks. It’s challenging to compare second-hand EV lead times to new ones because they differ so vastly. Some new cars are ‘off the shelf’, whereas some are put into production after an employee places an order, meaning some new electric cars are available immediately, and others may have a more extensive wait.
Try Before You Buy
You can’t test drive a pre-loved car before buying it due to the nature of how they become available and the high demand for second-hand EVs. There are plenty of new electric car dealerships around, so it’s worth trying a few different models to gauge which is best for you before stalking the pre-loved listings page.
Peace of Mind
Our Green Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme comes with peace of mind guaranteed, whether you’re an employer or an employee. Just like with new cars, the agreement is between the employee and our Green Car partners. Employers facilitate repayment via the salary sacrifice agreement but do not assume any responsibility.
Service History
Since the second-hand EVs we offer are those already leased and serviced through our scheme, your employees can rest assured that their pre-loved car has a full service history, as per the manufacturer's guidelines.
Warranty
When it comes to our Green Car Scheme, warranties are somewhat unnecessary. The scheme covers all maintenance, so if an issue arises, all you need to do is pick up the phone and arrange for your car to be fixed.
Go Even Greener. Be More Inclusive. Pre-Loved Electric Cars with Pluxee UK
Have we alleviated your concerns about second-hand electric cars, or do you still have some questions? If so, you can scroll down to the FAQs or request a call.
Second-hand EVs make your employee benefits offering more inclusive and more affordable for a wider range of employees to join your Green Car scheme. More employees have the opportunity to reduce their commuting costs and make tax savings, boosting financial wellbeing in your business, loyalty and employee engagement.
The more employees eligible to enrol, the more opportunities you have to reduce your company’s National Insurance Contributions.
Inclusive, affordable and even greener… Pre-loved cars for the win!
FAQs
How do I order my second-hand electric car?
Unlike with new EV cars, we cannot hold quotes for pre-loved EV cars, as the stock is limited. Your employees have two days to place their car order after receiving a quotation, after which it will be made available to other users on the pre-loved listings page.
How long will it take for a pre-loved car to arrive?
On average, it takes four weeks from when your employees order their second-hand EV car for it to arrive.
Will my second-hand electric car have a full MOT?
If the car is due for an MOT within six months of receiving your vehicle, we will complete the MOT before you collect it. If the MOT is due more than six months after delivery, you will need to arrange it.
Can employees return or exchange their second-hand EVs if they’re not satisfied?
Employees enter into the salary sacrifice arrangement, so standard scheme terms apply. They will not be able to exchange their car for another vehicle.
Sources:
Notes:
Due to the nature of second-hand electric cars becoming available, we can only offer access to our range of Pre-loved EVs to clients who are new to our Green Car salary sacrifice scheme. We’re working with our partner to offer this to current Green Car scheme clients in 2025. Watch this space!
