I Bought A Second Hand Chinese EV From An Auction For £16000

[@JonathanPorterfield]

Thanks matey for the shout out , we just want to get 'bums on ev seats' as cheaply as possable. Our businesses as well as you guys offering great mobile servicing means we both are customer focused on helping drivers SAVE MONEY 💰 !

[@R_Time_Now]

Great to see your continued good work Mr Porterfield

[@simonyapp]

I followed your advice, and used the great Ecocars / Reflex team - got a 1 year old MG5 for 42% off its new price! Only 13k on clock. All I did was get on a train, pick it up, then give it a big clean. Just taken it for its 1st year service (MG charge £90) battery SOH is 100% and you get a years MG AA ROADSIDE cover. Amazing for our family. Thanks James and to Jonathon’s team and well done SAIC/MG

[@Channelnem]

I have just purchased a pre-reg 72 plated MG5 excite for just under £19k last week with only 16miles. Registered in Nov 2022 so still have 75 months on the warranty as well.

[@MrEV]

Great deal! We'll obviously be getting our next car the same way.

[@SwichMad]

Just got a 31500miles one for undr 17k from a dealer. Probably would have found a better deal if shopped around and waited, but needed a car rather quick as my old ICE refuses to start and garages can't find a cure for it. 2 weeks into owning it and I love it, comfy, quiet and fits the whole family and a pig !

[@keithwest5925]

Thanks for all your hard work... I am going to do a test drive soon.

[@bellshooter]

Good old Jonathan P, helped me get a couple for Odette! Great way to get one.

[@trevorsbarkingmadchannel4501]

Very interesting indeed. Have noticed prices going up gradually. I’m still looking. Thanks James. Great vlog.

[@avidviewer1]

Very interesting video. Thanks. I bought my MG5 Long Range Excite purely on your recommendation and it's never let me down. Apart from the lack of tinting, I've never been anything less than completely satisfied. It really is a great car (the best I've ever had). Thanks again!

[@clivepierce1816]

Sounds interesting James. We will seriously consider these guys when we are looking for our next EV.

[@rcosnett]

Great buy, fantastic video. Bob

[@judebrown4103]

Lovely to hear Jonathan's Ecocars spoken of so highly. If we hadn't had our car written off last year we'd have used his service. But we had a fortnight with a courtesy car and panicked a bit, felt we couldn't risk the unknown time scale of getting something at auction. As it was we purchased a pretty good car in our Ioniq 38kWh, which you or one of your chaps will meet next year for its service I expect. Naturally we paid top dollar for it because EV sales were peaking but it's such a terrific car and we keep them for ever so we're happy. If we do ever need another one we'll definitely be speaking to the folk in Orkney, as you say it's the transparency that's so attractive....and the gorgeous JP of course!😄😂🤣😂👍

[@JonathanPorterfield]

Gorgeous? You been drinking 😅? 😅😅

[@judebrown4103]

​@@JonathanPorterfieldit was quite early....should I plead temporary insanity?! 😅😂🤣🤗

[@bdeithrick]

Love Mr Porterfields Service

[@scotspie501douglas7]

look forward to seeing your guy in scotland

[@CreRay]

Wow EXCELLENT price on that MG5, congratulations!

[@maximilianholland]

Great advice James, thank you.

[@thelaserhive3368]

I very very nearly bought a car with EcoCars and definitely would strongly recommend it. The only reason I didn’t was because a car with our ideal spec.s came up locally at the right price. Indeed, as we were filling in the paperwork another person was trying to buy our car online unseen. I still feel a slight guilt at not carrying on the process with EcoCars as they were brilliant in sending me details, liaising and bidding for me. I’ll definitely go back for the next one with them ( if they let me!!!).

[@mrdsn189]

Jonathan is the man!

[@michaelgoode9555]

We were going to use Eco cars and were just about to start tye process when I came across our ideal car af a really good price locally. It was worth us buying from them. Our friend might be looking for an eNV200 or similar soon and he's not looking for nearly new so we will point him JP's way.

[@Richardincancale]

Just had my first annual service of my MG5 LR (service interval 25k km or one year) at the dealer - cost 96 euros!!! Amazing value EV :-)

[@simonyapp]

And comes with AA cover, I also thought it was a great price.

[@wobby1516]

Looks like a brilliant buy especially as a vat reg company you can claim the vat back. Now your 4 on the road have you got a new guy in the SE. You serviced our car last year and at the time said you were employing another technician nearer to me in Hailsham East Sussex.

[@Christina198561]

Car is looking great James. Was also great seeing you in Fort William, Hopefully ill meet Kate too some day. 😁 That conversion looks great. 👌

[@Jamesandkate]

Great to see you all too and thanks for all of your help sourcing the car, you're all awesome ❤️

[@whocares264]

Love the drawer....

[@teatimetel174]

handy for the upcoming 15 minute citys

[@briangriffiths1285]

I bought my MG ZS EV on the back of one of your videos. I have been delighted with it. Even with its 160 mile range (2019/20 car) we have done over 300 mile journeys in the day without issue. I am sure the later cars are better; just when will the rest of the manufacturers catch on to provide cars for the masses like MG. And yes prices are rising because electricity prices are falling?

[@peterurquhart7191]

Thank you for a great video 👍

[@andrewdyson4255]

Had mine coming up for 3 years now, I would normally change cars then but I’m keeping this one. It’s a great car and cheap as chips as they say

[@computerbob06]

I thought Reflex was just for cars that were being kept on Orkney? The good thing about now, is this is the time that all the 3 year lease vehicles Soul's, E-Niro's, Kona's, Stellantis', ID's etc have come to an end, the manufacturers have got their money back and are offering them to the market for nice money!

[@Jamesandkate]

They did have a scheme for Orkney residence only, but their buying service is for anywhere in the UK 👍🏼

[@mikew3105]

Need more videos, from you and kate

[@paullefford2187]

Nice video. Could do with an update on your service vehicle. Must have done a few miles since the 70,000 mile update? Thanks.

[@Lewis_Standing]

If i ever switch from my Kona I'll probably buy through Johnathon 👍

[@IslaSprollie]

Brilliant

[@chrisw443]

awesome info!!!! I would do anything to have a EV wagon or Van thats not a transit in the US.

[@Jamesandkate]

So many people state side say the same thing. I don't know why they don't sell it there 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@GregAnslow]

If I was looking again the MG5 would be very high on the list.

[@johnlaws3904]

Very surprised, that your cars don't display your phone/email/website

[@Piner5074]

Definitely correct about prices rising a little bit. Even since our chat while you were servicing my Zoe last month, when I was a little despondent about its relative value compared to other EV’s, I’ve seen a small rise. From around £12k, to some dealers on Autotrader asking nearly £15k for an equivalent 2020-2021 car. I do however think that’s strong money at the moment, but maybe in a year’s time, it’s going to be the minimum you’ll need for 200 miles range car, so perhaps I’ll trade in then (I even think you said keep it a year or two and prices could very well strengthen) Anyway great service, great advice then and now with this video.

[@RedBatteryHead]

Nice cars. Why not get the door panel removed for something else with hangers? Like perforated alu?

[@dcvariousvids8082]

This must be the only place, that actually want unsolicited mail. If only I could get my junk mail redirected there.

[@bdeithrick]

Hi James & Kate. WazUp I’m going concerned about MG service costs The EV needs nout. Why are the charging €390 for 2nd service for filter and coolant. Should I pay them or just use a Hevra garage. I am prepared to not bother and scrap the warranty, warranty is hardly worth paper it written on. The only doubt is. How reliable is MG4. PDM burnt out or electronics , software etc.

[@theunknownunknowns256]

James could you cover LFP battery care at some point? Like do you think it's ok to keep them topped up. I keep mine at 60-90%. Should we cycle a full charged periodically?

[@Jamesandkate]

Good idea, I will dona vid on that. LFP are happy at higher states of charge and ideally need a bi-weekly 100% balance charge 👍🏼

[@SusieSmart]

The big advantage with LFP batteries is they don’t care about being left at high SOC etc. The lifespan of an LFP battery is ~5,000 cycles / roughly 1,000,000 miles if you have a range of 200 miles. I personally wouldn’t bother nannying the battery, you’re gonna reap very little benefit from the effort you’re putting in.

[@fanfeck2844]

@@SusieSmartis the number of cycles different than a non lfp?

[@Dickie2702]

​@fanfeck2844 Yes. LFP chemistry gives higher cycle life at the expense of not being so energy dense.

[@MrWobling]

Also what kind of economy do you get on motorway runs? Our ZS can do 5mpkwh when driven carefully urban/suburban, but at 70mph it's more like 3.😢

[@chrishorsfall2022]

i wont be buying another MG, Our ZS ev which we bought on recomendation of James - Local garage, "severe corrosion underneath" broke down, 5 weeks off the road, SOLD, bought a s/h Kona 64kw 21 plate - newer shape 11,000 miles 19700

[@timetostartup3451]

Hey man! Love your channel! Have you ever had any experience with the LDV EV80? Currently looking at one for £10k + VAT and it’s on 50k, £7-£8k less than market price Thanks Matt

[@petersebborn306]

Would love to have a MG5 but not sold in NZ ☹️

[@VenusReturn]

Great car

[@mmigesh4735]

Please! Not the baseball cap!

[@mickhursey4802]

Just out of interest, do Ecocars give a battery SOH? That would be my only worry with buying a second hand EV, although my MG5 appears to be bulletproof 😂

[@JohnWhite-vu5ug]

Hi james can you help i nned some work on my model S. How do i go about it

[@wyx087]

What recourse is there, buying car this way if battery turn out to be faulty? Eg. If I buy a Leaf 40, battery turn out to be knackered by rapid-gate charging.

[@Jamesandkate]

This is covered under warranty from the manufacturer, as would the Leaf. Simply keep the service info up to date 👍🏼

[@SusieSmart]

Did you not watch to the end? James explains it has the full manufacturers warranty still in place because it’s so new.

[@wyx087]

It would be less hassle to reject the car if it were through dealership. So not an option through auction. Warranty don’t cover everything. There was a Leaf 40 James looked at with knackered battery. I followed the owner’s experience on speakEV forum. It didn’t trigger warranty claim, fortunately owner was able to reject the car.

[@wyx087]

I know Leaf are not the best EV. But I’m looking for a bigger battery version to replace my 24kwh version to use with V2H. So I need Chademo.

[@MrWobling]

How do you find the rapid charge speed on these? Never seen above 36kw on our ZS. 😢

[@DudeAutonomy]

Nice

[@christaylor6895]

Did you film that on your estate James?

[@Jamesandkate]

😂😂😂😂

[@otleybull]

Do the sellers ever divulge the Battery health of second hand EV’s?

[@Jamesandkate]

This will be on 100% and remain there until aporox 60k, but generally it's not mentioned. It should be.

[@JonathanPorterfield]

The auction houses are still terrified of 'plugging anything into a OBD port' on any vehicle, so it isn't going to happen anytime soon im sorry to say !

[@deansh8506]

Looks like a great way to buy an EV - you can't go wrong especially when it is still under manufacturers warranty. I have one question if you don't mind James. I am trying to get the plant manager of my company to replace 20 year old on site diesel vans. As you are also company that bought these cars at auction for use in your company. How does VAT work? Do you have to pay VAT even through a company? I would like to put forward to my manager the idea of buying an EV van though the auctions as you have done but would be nice to know the VAT implications that would be great. Cheers for the great video.

[@andrewnewton6524]

You would have to pay the VAT on the purchase then reclaim it if eligible through the company VAT return.

[@shazadanjum6173]

The cost of public chargers last year cost me £10 or £15 and these days it’s £20 and above because i Nissan Leaf 40 so next time I’ll only get a 300 mile range car because it’s less expensive to use public chargers you charge less on public then so home charging is much cheaper the less you use public charging the better it is for your battery less fast charging helps the battery last more longer it was a mistake on my part buying it 1 and a half years ago because of the drop off of £10.000 pounds of value so if I try to resell it I won’t get what I paid for it like a year ago it may be more expensive but worth it in the long term plus chadamo charging is sometimes difficult to find when there’s 3 ccs chargers available but I can’t use and 3 people are waiting to charge and the tesla’s chargers nobody’s using them and all available at the motorway services for long trips

[@robertmackenzie5850]

If you paid 19k for it , the depreciation seems high as it must be around 28k new Bargain for you , but a big hit on the first register owner

[@Jamesandkate]

Between 22-24k new

[@teatimetel174]

dealer registering them to get the sales numbers up to make out there selling well

[@lathamdave]

2:36 what is he saying.

[@Jamesandkate]

The Auctioner can never be understood 😂