Man buys 286,000-mile EV that was classed as a non-runner for $3,425 and takes it to mechanic to see if he has a bargain

A man bought a 286,000-mile EV that had been classed as a non-runner for just $3,425, but made the smart decision to see a mechanic and get a pro’s opinion – bargain or clunker?

The high-mileage Kia e-Niro was listed at auction as not starting, with no lights showing on the dashboard.

It sounded like a risky gamble that could have ended in an expensive repair bill.

So, he took it to a mechanic to find out if it was actually a bargain hiding in plain sight.

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Man buys 286,000-mile EV

The Kia e-Niro EV was spotted at British Car Auctions and described as a non-runner, with notes claiming it would not start.

Jake from UK dealership EV Wales decided to take a chance after checking the mileage history and seeing it had not been off the road for long.

But he also took it to his mechanic friend at HubNut to see if he had a bargain.

When the car was collected, the issue became clear almost immediately.

The 12V EV battery was completely flat, so a jump start brought it back to life, and it drove straight onto the trailer.

Back at the workshop, the battery was flat again, and the high-voltage battery was also empty, so it was plugged in and left to charge overnight.

By the next morning, it was showing a healthy range estimate and the car drove down the road without any drama.

The purchase price, including fees, came to £2,591, which is about $3,425.

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Non-runner bargain taken to a mechanic

The biggest question was battery health after such extreme mileage.

Diagnostics reportedly showed 100 percent battery health, and the battery casing still had an original date stamp from March 2021, suggesting it had never been replaced.

On the road, the e-Niro felt surprisingly smooth, although the interior showed the expected wear of a former workhorse taxi, including a heavily worn steering wheel.

The drive was quiet, comfortable, and still packed with power.

Only minor faults were found, including the need for a coolant flush, worn wiper blades, a reversing camera on the blink, and a window one-touch function that no longer worked.

Now, the car is expected to stay in service as a courtesy vehicle, proving that even an EV with many miles on the clock can still have plenty of life left in it, despite what some might think.

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