My New (Used) Electric Car is Broken Already?

[@michaelgoode9555]

We bought a used ID.3 1st Edition in March 2023. It was 27 months old with 11,800 miles and a very old version of software. The software was upgraded to v3.2 by VW in December 2023. They had the car in their workshop for 4 days. 🤔 Issues: 1: the 12v battery failed almost immediately. It was replaced under warranty. 2: a very nice person* smashed the driver's door window: an act of pure vandalism. The only replacement I could get was from a breakers yard but it's identical and cost me £58. ** 3: the first owner (we are second owners) clearly drove it like they stole it with an average 3.2 miles/kWh consumption and three of the tyres with unusually high wear on either the inner or outer edge. Since we have had the car (more than 16 months) we have averaged 4.1 miles/kWh and our recent 1,300 mile round trip to Orkney and back returned an average of 4.3 miles/kWh. What would I change if I could? 1: a 17 inch wheel option. This would give even greater comfort and probably improve economy a tad. 2: have the ability to reset the sevice due indicator. We use Cleevely EV mobile for servicing: a reliable and professional independent who come to you. At present they do not subscribe to the overpriced VAG software or the ODBeleven professional product which would enable them to reset the service indicator. It is not a big deal as I have a full paper record of the servicing and the indicator itself is not an MoT failure. We are very happy with the car and plan to keep it for years. If we needed to replace it due to unforseen circumstances we would likely just buy another ID.3. * Sarcasm, naturally. 🤬 ** After this incident our airbag light came on. I bought the basic OBDeleven dongle for VW and was able to reset it without recourse to a VW dealer or approved independent. Unfortunately I would have to pay a lot more money and buy an annual subscription to reset the service due indicator.

[@mikejsoames1996]

Not sure about the title to this video. It makes out that the car was new and was broken? When it was second hand with 8000 miles plus on the clock and it was not broken other than an airbag light that was faulty. People who have droughts about EV's will take one glance at the title and immediately get a negative vibe.

[@geraldh.8047]

Probably a good choice for the UK since with milder winters the lack or battery preconditioning for DC fast charging is not as horrible a problem as it is on the continent.

[@MartinKarel]

The lack of proper battery preconditioning for rapid charging is really the last piece of the puzzle. Will be interested to see whether VW honours older cars and brings it as a software update or whether they will keep it as an exclusive feature only for the latest cars with the new architecture.

[@PierreSimonsson]

@@MartinKarel what ive heard Old systems is not to get the update to preheat the battery.

[@MartinKarel]

@@PierreSimonsson That is a shame but honestly not surprised. 😶

[@sushiginger444]

200 miles range??? That's appalling. That's roughly when I start worrying about range and fill up with diesel to give me 750 miles range.

[@McGr1stle]

ID3 or i3 Martin? Have an i3 atm and as much as I love it the range is becoming a bit of a pain. Been toying with the idea of a lowish mileage used ID3. Think it’s work the change?

[@MartinKarel]

Everybody has different preferences, but I have been really enjoying it now. The longer range in combination with the faster rapid charging is definitely very welcome. Not to mention all the tech is a generation ahead of the i3.

[@McGr1stle]

@@MartinKarel I’ve already bought one. Delivery next Tuesday 🥹 My wife is going to be so mad at you😀

[@pete_stewardson]

Completely stupid decision, clearly you should have got the Cupra Born instead :D Charging speed is disappointing, as is the range when you get colder weather, which then exacerbates the charging speed issue on longer journeys. However, I really enjoy my Cupra Born that is based on this car. The stupid steering wheel capacitive touch buttons actually don't bother me too much, I only tend to hit the volume now and again. But otherwise both the Born and the iD3 are quite refined cars to drive, and cavernous inside. I test drove a single motor highland at the weekend and by far preferred the Born in the way it drove, it's quietness, it just needs more range. Seriously tempted by a VZ when Cupra launch it to give that longer range and more power :)

[@barriewilliams4526]

Nightmare! I just get in my petrol Toyota and go. Crazy world these days😜

[@MartinKarel]

Ehm. I got in my ID.3 and went…?

[@whocares264]

what cost was the public charge

[@MartinKarel]

GRIDSERVE Ferrybridge: £36.60 Applegreen Birchanger Green: £11.01

[@whocares264]

@@MartinKarel Thanks

[@PierreSimonsson]

i wonder why charge to 100% ?

[@MartinKarel]

Was still getting ready to/ filming and there were no people waiting to charge, so why not.

[@RWBHere]

I hate time-wasting clickbait titles like this one. The car is not new and it is not broken. Maybe it has a software glitch which could be fixed when you've updated it. Thanks for the video, nonetheless.

[@MartinKarel]

It is new to me (and definitely not "old" given it's an October 2022 car). It had to go to VW because it was not just a glitch but all sorted now.

[@CubbyTech]

Were you going for a clickbait title? Did you pay too much for the car? Can't say whether this was a good decision without additional information.

[@MartinKarel]

Nah. It was a fair deal. Has been to VW and is now sorted. Loving it overall.

[@artspaff]

Nice video. I’m looking forward to the rest of this series. I’ve owned a ‘22 VW ID4 Pro S RWD in Southern California since October ‘22. I’m an old guy so I’ve only driven 12,000 miles; however, I absolutely love the car. Typical driving for me is a mix of California freeways and secondary roads. I’ve driven from the coast to the desert and to our local mountains. Still, I’ve been able to average 3.9 m/kWh! I still hear the software “glitch” stories but have never found such to have had a negative impact on my driving. I’m often reminded of the “Walk and Chew Bubblegum” metaphor. It’s really not that hard. 😉 Thanks again for another great video. All the Best, Art. Oceanside, CA.

[@oldgit15]

As another I3 fan I'm very interested in how your journey with the ID3 goes, as it's one of the cars I'm debating for my next EV, probably like yours a newish second hand one 👍

[@MartinKarel]

With the Airbag error and a couple of other things sorted, I have been really enjoying it so far. Not quite an i3 in terms of character but still lots to like.

[@ecarfun]

Happy to hear there'll be some more mini content, and congratts on your new car!

[@barryrathbone]

I made the ev switch in January this year (Vauxhall Mokka Ultimate) and have to say wouldn’t go back to petrol or diesel. Averaging 4 miles per kWh in the warmer weather it was around 3.6 when it was colder

[@MartinKarel]

I have been driving EVs since 2019 and we have come a long way since then. Definitely not going back.

[@angelarodrigues2829]

Hi Martin. I am looking for a used vw id3 but when I check the battery with obd and car scanner there is only 52 kw in the battery in used marker . Can you check the battery?

[@MartinKarel]

I will check but there have been many reports of MEB batteries degrading more than others in the first few years of use.

[@dimitarnenov4220]

Great videos Martin! Along a VW eTransporter, I have just added my first electric car - ID.3. It is a delight and the only issue is a high pitched sound which is also mentioned in the ID.3 forums. Could it be addressed as a software issue or it's a hardware problem? You have one more subscriber. Wishing you all the best.

[@teanau11]

Do you know which model years of the ID.3 will have the auto lane change (travel assist) feature? I have been told Yes, the auto lane change (travel assist) feature was introduced in the ID.3 models after 2022. Is that true?

[@prjackson7802]

Great video

[@derrick021]

love your English and your fingers )

[@Rich-on6fe]

Really like your wisely work. It's nice to find you have your own channel and that you're going to be focussing on my car - almost. I bought mine in newcastle and hypermiled it down to northampton with 16% left over.

[@simonreeves2017]

Hi Martin, love the work you do. Wish I could say the same about the VW ID3 😞

[@johngonon1507]

I haven't tested either the VW or Cupra cars. But I do like their looks and like seeing them in the streets. I would have gone for the Cupra Born (I know, it's the "same" car). I like having cars that are still quite short but have space for my now grown up kids in the back and enough boot space. I feel cozy in them, compared to when I tried the Ioniq 5 (which is still not that big of a car).

[@vee3138]

More Mini electric content😄👍 Really like your practical and analytical🤓take on things😄👍

[@rchingyong]

So what year was it build and how does the hardware differ from the First Edition

[@lukyluke993]

Nice video. Small tip you can hang the plug cover on a hook at the charging door 😉 so no scratches on the paint

[@andrewkeith5]

Nice car. You can disable creep by enabling Auto Hold 😉 I find the regen more than plenty enough in B mode. Can’t imagine why you would want any more. It’ll slow the car down to 3/4mph nice and smoothly. The touch controls really aren’t a problem at all after a few minutes getting used to them. Little tip for the voice control - you don’t need to specify “DAB Radio Station”, you can just say “Play Magic Radio”. It generally works fairly well for basic controls like radio, heating etc. gets a bit confused on the navigation system sometimes.

[@MartinKarel]

Coming from BMW i3s / MINI Electric / Teslas / Polestars, the regen is much weaker in comparison. AUTO HOLD is great but it's not a true replacement for being able to disable creep, as you still have to touch the brake pedal. Model 3s / Ys and Polestar 2s really are examples of how it should be done, at least based on my personal preference.

[@Agent77X]

Just pick it up from the auction?😮

[@the_wonk]

Now, in the intro, did you nearly say Wisely Automotive 🤣🤣

[@MartinKarel]

It’s a habit. 😅

[@lukedavis436]

I'm not much of an EV guy (dispite enjoying the polestar 2 and the original nissan leaf) But i found this video and hopefully others entertaining, Sub earned!

[@richardpiper4828]

Congratulations on getting back with all your fingers in tact. Most of us use razor blades to remove facial hair as scraping stickers off windscreens obviously must blunt them too much for using for their prime purpose! 😄 Interesting to see road works still happening at top of A1 - it has been going on for months and months. 200 mile range in an ID.3 should have been a doddle albeit you are handicapped by the regenerative brakes not bringing you to a complete stop.

[@kevinnicholson7722]

it's a nice enough car , but its not even better than a Golf, let alone any competitors. Looks so boring

[@maihindess1]

Strange title....!!!???!!! 🤷‍♀️

[@martinst7062]

I’ve had a couple of ID.3’s, one first edition and now a Family Pro, great car and hugely improved from the first edition! Very few software glitches but the old switch it off and on again seems to resolve them now. Enjoy the car!

[@MartinKarel]

Glad to hear! I actually test drove the First Edition right after launch and on top of the software glitches that particular example wasn’t built very well either. Definitely better all round now.

[@whocares264]

where is this car auction please?

[@jnksgb]

This was well timed as I want to get one of these. Switching from a Hybrid Clio

[@MartinKarel]

It will definitely be a huge upgrade overall even from the latest generation Clio.

[@jamesbarker7145]

How come you don't use the much cheaper Tesla chargers on the route?

[@MartinKarel]

Wanted to have the car plugged in and charging while I was setting up in the beginning instead of having to waste time en route. No denying that it would have been cheaper with Superchargers though.

[@kevinnicholson7722]

the cupra born is a better car in every way

[@MartinKarel]

This is something I want to cover in the future because while I had the option to go for the Born (which does have a lot of things going for it over the ID.3), I still specifically chose the VW instead.

[@Antiguan_Dart]

A blade for cleaning glass-. Oh my! Isopropyl alcohol (on a soft cloth will remove any stickiness from labels in a much safer way and kinder treatment of the glass than a blade)

[@peterarmstrong3645]

I think your trying to be like the MacMaster. Click bait title, but really loves EV’s. Probably more money to be made by the anti EV people clicking the story. I agree with another comment though that you and the MacMaster are not helping the transition to EV ownership, which we all know must happen because we have to “Stop Burning Stuff”.

[@MartinKarel]

Ehm. I am not sure whether you watched the full video / others on this or the Wisely Automotive channel because I am not sure where to start. As you say, I love EVs and I switched to a vegan diet as I appreciate the environmental situation we are in. My first car was a 60Ah BMW i3 which I got in 2019. Loved it so much that decided to get a job at a used EV dealer selling cars and making online content which by this point helped hundreds of people move into the world of electric driving. (And given the average rating of 5/5, I would say it's going well.) However, for people to learn about what makes EVs great, they first of all have to actually click on the video, so I am afraid, the catchy titles are part of the game. (As mentioned, given I have a full time job I don't care about the money they make. In fact, I am pretty sure this one won't even cover the cost of electricity for the journey.) If you feel there is a better way to do it, the beauty of KZbin is that you can definitely do it your way. I love seeing how different people make content.

[@captainnutzlos3816]

You buy a overpriced piece of crap, thats what you get... 😄

[@MartinKarel]

It's sorted now and I am happy with it actually. 😅

[@EVMan298]

What?

[@mikafiltenborg7572]

VW = 💩