Nissan Leaf Buyer's Guide - 3 Things To Check Before You Buy

If you are planning to buy a used Nissan Leaf, this video will share three items you must check before you buy.
Update - I have added a How To Shop for a Nissan Leaf video that better reflects 2022 market prices. • Nissan Leaf Buyer's Gu...

[@SirBillyMays]

I have a 130k kilometer (81k miles) 2012 model leaf, used to be my fathers from new but it was handed to me when he upgraded. It's a wonderful city car. I still have 9/12 battery bars (so around 100km of range) which is plenty for city use. Biggest repairs have been suspension and brake related - they wear out over time, but also get hit quite hard with rust. The original paint is also very thin, so body panels can quite easily rust. Be especially mindful of the underside of the car and the rear. Here in Norway, used Leaf parts are plentiful and cheap. Not sure they're so cheap it makes sense importing to the US, but it honestly might be worth asking someone to take a look, if you own a Leaf and know a Norwegian. I had to replace my original 12v battery just a week ago. 11 years old, the original flooded lead acid battery started giving up the ghost. When the 12v battery gets old the car starts acting a bit erratically, but still drives just like normal. For me, I would sometimes have to press the start button twice to engage the high voltage system. I would also get the ABS and ESP warning lights every now and again. All was resolved with a new, cheap FLA (

[@04dram04]

I think there is an important correct to make here. You should buy a leaf with little life on the pack, if you can get it super cheap. Because you can use the money savings to buy a bigger battery from a wrecked newer leaf.

[@KennyGillis]

That is definitely another way to find a good deal on a Leaf. Have you done the battery replacement for a 2011 or 2012 Leaf? If so, how much was the battery replacement? Thanks for watching!

[@spearmap]

If you replace the battery with a 40 KWH battery (direct swap) you get really useful range. Also one maintenance activity is to replace the fluid in the transaxle which is easy to do.

[@chetmyers7041]

@@spearmap How often to change the Coolant?

[@spearmap]

@@chetmyers7041 This may explain. kzbin.info/www/bejne/roLHkmdraJajorM

[@MPBrewster]

That's what I'm wondering. I see like 3 coolant reservoirs in some of these EV's. There has to be some maintenence there.@@chetmyers7041

[@Ray.842]

Also a 4th thing when buying one. Make sure the touch screen works correctly! They cot £4800 from a main dealership, very expensive!

[@christinamarostica5924]

Awesome info!! Thanks!! :)

[@devonbritow3534]

Informative video, thanks.

[@badbenito]

My 2014 Leaf is still running great. Best car I've ever had.

[@KennyGillis]

My 2013 is also the best car I've ever had! Thanks for watching.

[@billbollins]

Great vid Kenny with useful tips, I didn't know any of these before watching your vid.

[@Avydeverux]

I am considering buying a Leaf, and thanks to you I now know that one I was considering has 5 bars and another has only 3.

[@KennyGillis]

Glad this video was helpful!

[@sunnypvalencia]

Great video. probably the most helpful video i've seen on what to look for in a used EV.

[@rosanag1]

Very useful info. Thank you.

[@lawrenceakini9507]

Thank you. I had wished viewed this KZbin before purchasing my 2012 Leaf.

[@IsThatSpaceCowBoy]

And will make sure to check all the stuff you mentioned definitely gonna bring it to get charged on my test drive

[@jimmytai1915]

Thanks, useful information.

[@upcloseimage]

Haha! I love the questions around the 7 minute mark... haha I bet some people still ask those questions!!! This was a very helpful video, thank you! We had a 2013 Leaf and regret getting rid of it.

[@mistercmt]

VERY INSIGHTFUL! Thank you for this video, now I am considering Nissan LEAF.

[@IrnBruNYC]

Thank you, this is so helpful. I want an EV, but I like small cars, and the only EV I could possibly afford in 2023 is a used Leaf.

[@KennyGillis]

You can find some pretty cheap Leafs. Avoid the 2011 and 2012. I love my 2013!

[@RazVanPaulOfficial]

Thanks man!

[@rahularora9868]

Thanks for the video. It might be a good idea to get it on a hoist and inspect if there's any rust.

[@ogrum92]

I just checked out your review, great job! I was checking out a 2013 model the other night and it made an unusual noise when the heat was turned on. I'll google it along with another issue I wondered about. Thank you very much!

[@vperez007]

Thanks for sharing

[@sandmors7998]

Thanks for your help

[@vincekrizan9840]

Great job- thanks for the info

[@KennyGillis]

You're welcome!

[@manuellozano523]

Excellent coverage simplistic to understand. Thanks!!

[@KennyGillis]

You're welcome!

[@ziczac818]

Best video i've seen about the Nissan leaf by far, Thanks!

[@KennyGillis]

Wow, thank you!

[@jimbo2629]

Very reassuring.

[@hoffinger]

Always a good idea to check everything. Power windows, door locks, radio, cd, Etc.

[@familycool9976]

Wow thanks for this valuable information about this little car…!

[@KennyGillis]

You’re welcome!

[@carlitopicache629]

Great info. Subbed.

[@KennyGillis]

Thank you!

[@Flaming360Spider]

You the man bro I didn’t know about the battery life bars 👍

[@KennyGillis]

Glad it was helpful!!

[@mb_a5383]

Been driving my leaf for 6yrs now (bought it in 2016 for $6995 and it had all 12 bars SOH), oh, and it had just under 30k miles on it and I'm still on the factory brakes (thanks to the regenerative brakes and a lot of one footed driving) To date I have spent $0 on maintenance, I'm on my 3rd set of tires and I've changed the wiper blades 5 times so far. The SOH (state of health) of the battery, like yours, is down to 10 bars and I'm getting close to 70k miles on the OD. I think your video is very helpful to newbies however at the same time... The only reason I was able to get such a great car at such a great price was because the average person didn't know anything about EV's and would not buy one. I bought mine at a dealer who had put new tires on it but still, no one was interested even though it looked brand new (it was a lease turn in) Your video, helpful as it is, will likely encourage others to buy one of these hidden gems which can only result in the price(s) going up. So.. good video, but bad for future owners who will not likely find these gems priced quite so low as before.

[@KennyGillis]

Hi Michael, that's awesome that you have had a good experience with your car similar to me. I agree the prices have gone up quite a bit recently. I did release a video a couple of weeks ago about shopping for a Leaf that better reflects the market in 2022: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIq1epuJir97f6s Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@madmotorcyclist]

I have one of the original Nissan Leafs (now 11 years old #712). So far maintenance wise I have had to replace the water pump (just recently), a flat tire, one accessory battery and two key fob batteries. The battery still fully charges (13 bars) and I get about 70 miles of range today out of it (it's been garaged and I babied the battery). Not too many miles around 13k since I only do short trips on it (which it is perfect for). I expect to get at least another five years out of it.

[@jameslovering9158]

40k driven miles 3 sets of tires ?

[@mb_a5383]

@@jameslovering9158 yeah, I didn't go into it cuz it was already looking like a novel but I had a 4 inch screw go through both the tread and sidewall of one of the tires and since that set was already about half worn, I replaced all 4 (one of my quirks, I can't stand mis-matched tires). Good catch though

[@drod5157]

Nice Review!

[@MyAdventurr]

Saved me from buying a lemon! Thanks! Noticed the battery health bars were

[@cdbuiles]

there is one, often overlooked, maintenance item on these vehicules. reduction gear oil. check your maintenance manual.

[@georgewoodland1766]

Let buyers know that best to drive in B mode to get the regen braking and longer range. I’m averaging 5.1 miles per KWH on my 2019 Leaf

[@Akira-gi6vz]

Your odd yet but attractive demeanor is a nice way to enjoy this “to the point”video thank you!

[@KennyGillis]

I appreciate that!

[@linakaneda449]

Looking to buy one soon and as a first time EV driver this was so easy to digest, thank you!!

[@KennyGillis]

You are welcome!!

[@yettsoman4364]

Most important thing for me...does a German Shepherd fit comfortably in the back without putting the rear seats down!😂

[@richieannarelli5714]

I own a 2017 1st Gen I average 60 miles a day I bought it as a work car testing Imo's a good feeling making a little difference in the world

[@charlesbelanger1940]

It would be also important to try the AC at full blown cold air cabin air recycle and then full hot heating without ECO mode to make sure that PTC heater Still Working great ! It may break very rare but this might be a backordered part (PTC heater)

[@KennyGillis]

Charles, thanks for additional information. I'm sure this will be helpful for buyers.

[@greg23842384]

I know the first gen what phone to heater issues this was sorted when leaf received foot hand brake

[@greg23842384]

Prone

[@r.williams8349]

Thank u good video.

[@KennyGillis]

Thanks!

[@wkmcmahan]

good video. I mostly agree. Look at the other comments. a lot of good stuff there to !

[@KennyGillis]

Ok great, thanks!

[@NEEGROPLEASE]

I just brought a 2019 best video I’ve seen about these cars thanks

[@KennyGillis]

Thank you!

[@av-999gaming3]

Nice Pura Vida T-shirt!

[@Syko_Tengu]

Great advice I’m in the market but I am worried about getting a leaf as I was worried about battery cost

[@zenornot9949]

Thank You

[@mrofnocnon]

Thanks

[@wynjones1305]

Looking for a leaf. Thanks for the info!

[@KennyGillis]

You're welcome!

[@takeonetheater]

Great Video, you now have me subscribed> was looking on CL found a 2014 with 56k from Arizona great price 4500 but the battery capacity reads 5 Bars! Nearly useless when it comes to range

[@anthonycraig274]

In the U.K. London, the used LEAF has shot up in price. The cheapest i can find one for(2011) is $8,000. a few weeks ago I was lucky to get a fantastic 2017 example with 24kwh. The battery is in a perfect state of Health SOH. I only planned to get this as a temporary car as I wait for my Model Y. I am so impressed with it, that I am going to keep it. I seriously love this car. Oh the cherry on top, TAX, Parking, Traffic zones, electricity is all FREE.

[@seanpeacock5595]

I looked for a reasonable priced one near me in Alberta. Not one within 1,000km.

[@KennyGillis]

The prices have definitely jumped up on these cars in the last 2 to 3 months! It's a little crazy. I feel like I could almost sell mine for 9 or 10 at the moment. Bought it for $6500 two and a half years ago.

[@abcloft302]

Gracias

[@item6931]

Bought a 2017 Leaf from a dealer. Battery health shown was 85%. But on a full charge could only get 60km. Took it to a mechanic - apparently the dash had been reset in some manner. It now shows the real battery health: 3 bars. But apparently only Nissan has the diagnostics to prove when the reset occurred and they won't for inexplicable reasons, so don't have conclusive evidence the dealer did it. Still going to court on the weaker than desired evidence though, as 60km range is almost unusable.

[@KennyGillis]

Hello, I'm really sorry to hear this. I have not heard of this before where someone has manipulated the dash readout for battery health. Have you tried other dealers in your area? Good luck and please keep me posted on what happens here.

[@404errorcodeV]

hi kenny, tyvm. this was very informative. i appreciate that it was short and to the point. ive already memorized the 3 things to ck for and i got the info from the commentor adding to ck the ac and heater on the list too. ty commentor. one more thing, is the 2018 Leaf a good yr to buy? i read by then the battery degradation issue was resolved. ty

[@KennyGillis]

Hello, I'm glad the video was helpful for you. The 2018 Leaf is the new generation car with the bigger 40 kwh pack. All electric car batteries will experience some degradation, the question is how fast. The 2018 Leaf does not have a battery cooling system (like earlier Leafs) so it may experience degradation quicker than a car with one, but the Leaf batteries have come a long way and do exceptionally well without cooling. I would say if you live in a really hot climate, like Phoenix, consider a car that has battery cooling, but otherwise, the 2018 Leaf is an incredible car. I'd replace my 2013 with a 2018 if I had the $.

[@404errorcodeV]

@@KennyGillis ty will u give me a recommendation please? my brain is swimming in facts rn w hybrids, batteries, ev's, ins etc. which used leaf would you recommend for me a f60y in florida who is single and now a happy empty nester? ty

[@KennyGillis]

@@404errorcodeV If you don't drive more than 50 or 60 miles a day. I would recommend a 2013-1017 Leaf. Can you charge where you live? If you need more range you can get a 2018 or newer Leaf.

[@404errorcodeV]

@@KennyGillis can i charge it w reg outlet at house? i want to travel my state with my 60 lb dog - day trips only. bc of Covid im not a regular daily driver anymore. i will get out daily but not 50 a day. i thought i heard, read, watched that the battery in the earlier ones were bad.

[@KennyGillis]

@@404errorcodeV You can charge it with a regular outlet at your house. Yes, avoid buying the 2011 and 2012 Leafs, the batteries did not hold up well.

[@DanBlackRacing]

Good video. I considered buying a leave a few times. Especially since my current employer offers free charging, but I drive and use my pickup truck so frequently during the week. I'll buy an EV they make a simple pickup truck that can go 500 mi on a charge while pulling a trailer and not cost $50,,000. 😂

[@KevinMphotography]

So with that regenerative braking thing, can you actually drive more than 70 miles without charging because I drive between 100-120 miles normally per day,

[@andrewwolf4430]

Doesn’t the leaf have a single speed gearbox? If so it has lubricant that should be changed at intervals

[@CarlosSanchez-vf3xd]

Can you install a new battery and if you can , for how much would it be done

[@russfox77910105]

I would say 4 - check tyre tread depth - if low get the dealer to change them! But thanks for the info!

[@KennyGillis]

Yes, agreed, definitely put your finger in those tire grooves and see how much tire life is left. Good tip! That's definitely #4.

[@user-wz2qe2pv6r]

As a lifetime petrol head I was dead against electric then last month my spouse bought a Leaf. I winged and whined. First trip out we couldnt find an appropriate charger BUT once we formalated a charging plan and did a few hundred miles....well guess what...Im now a toatal convert. Smooth, quiet, no smelly fuel and oil....I love it!

[@maureenhiggins3564]

Thanks, tho a correction is that Leaf’s DO have a single gear reduction and differential for transmitting power from the motor to the drive shafts that uses a splash lubrication system. Its oil has specified change intervals of 30k miles. If not changed regularly, unnecessary wear & tear will result & present as slipping. So something else to watch for…

[@KennyGillis]

Thanks for adding this information!

[@gringoandamigo4912]

Hey man thanks for this video I saw a Nissan leaf in my price range for sale and I was on the fence about it but now I know what to look for and that's great thanks man If I could ask you a question I live in an apartment what kind of an extension cord can I buy to run it from my apartment window to the leaf or can I even do that? My apartment does not have charging stations and how long does it get a full charge how many hours

[@KennyGillis]

Hi there, you will need an extension cord with the 3 prongs, not 2 for the Level 1 charger that comes with the car. If you get a Leaf between 2013-2016 with the 24kwh pack it will take about 12 hours to go from 0 to full. The larger 30kwh pack from 2017 will take a little longer. Thanks for watching!

[@tommorgan1291]

Make site your cord is rayed outdoor and is as short as possible. Make sure you are able to drop the cord so rain water goes onto the ground and does not travel into the connectors. The longer the cord more resistance and voltage drop. Your car must have 110 volts and 15 dedicated amps.Leaf cords are not repairable and a new one is $190 US.

[@marybilderback4030]

Great video for 73 yr old grandma looking for a car

[@anthonycraig274]

The most important thing about buying a LEAF or any EV is battery health. Everything else can be easily fixed pretty cheaply, battery is most of the cost of the car.

[@KennyGillis]

Agree!

[@Ragtime95]

The disuse of brake pads in electric cars is actually an issue, as they gotta be changed more often because they rust away.

[@ourcolonel1685]

Finally! A honest and simple car review. Thank you. Want an ebike? Get the Jetson Bolt Pro. I just did. Great fun!

[@KennyGillis]

I'll check out the Jetson, thanks!

[@PeaceChanel]

Thank You for All that you are doing for our Planet Earth.... Peace.. Shalom.. Salam.. Namaste 🙏🏻 😊 🌈 ✌ ☮ ❤

[@KSCPMark6742]

I got a 2015 the other day and it runs the main fan quite loudly when I plug in the level 1 charger. The fan runs as long as the charger is plugged in. It's summertime here, but not super hot, so it really surpried me that the fan runs this much. It's almost as loud as a running ICE. Is this normal?

[@williamhurst7766]

True! I purchased a 2019 Nissan Leaf SL Plus new in 2019. This vehicle currently shows 100% battery capacity on dashboard indicator. at about 40,000 miles. I have done zero maintenance other than rotate tires and 1 cabin filter. Vehicle drives perfectly and is as good as it was on date of purchase. For comparison, my wife purchased a 2019 Subaru new about the same time I purchased my Leaf. Subaru has been ok, but we did have to replace the thermostat, plus, dealer installed it incorrectly, and the vehicle almost ran HOT. That is in addition to normal ICE vehicle oil changes, etc. I have become to where I hate to go to gas station with the Subaru.

[@KennyGillis]

That is awesome! We also just added a 2019 Leaf SV to the fleet. Got it cheap because of hail damage and 60k miles. It drives amazing and we love the longer range. It's the 150 mile, 40kwh. Love the Leafs!

[@Uajd-hb1qs]

If I had to get an electric car, I’d go for this. Being early, it should be relatively simple except for the digital display but most importantly, it’s cheap. Looking online, they’re between 3-7,000 pounds compared to the cheapest new electric car being £22,000. Simplicity is what I want but the only other simple EV I like is inefficient and unreliable as well as being rare, so I’m hoping this will be the best option.

[@jamesanderson6769]

I just bought a 2013 with 9 bars for 3k. I haven't used it besides driving it home, but I love the way it handles.

[@KennyGillis]

That's a steal! I love my 2013. They do handle really well. The suspension is tight, but not too much and it's pretty light for an EV because of the small battery pack.

[@tommorgan1291]

You should know my 2023 SV Plus fast charger connectors have been redesigned.My old hookups will not work. I have to get an electrician to install the newly designed 220--240 volt 50 amps dedicated garage junction box. Neither the Dealer nor Nissan will halp with the cost or even finding a source to make the switchover. BUT I love this vehicle!

[@KennyGillis]

That's good to know as I am building an EV from an older Porsche. I will have to figure out which connector to put on the car. I'm hoping J1772 sticks around for a while.

[@trishfillet4991]

I just bought a 2011 and took it back to the dealer the next day because the battery is bad. I’ll get my money back but it’s a real shame because this car is so fun to drive! Thank you for providing the details about the indicator light. If the battery life is good, and you just need a solid commuter car, it’s a good investment.

[@KennyGillis]

I agree, the best commuter. So cheap, especially if you have free charging at work!

[@mrbugman]

What does it mean if a 2012 leaf has 10 bars on the right, but only 30 miles range? Its for sale looks good except only 30 mile range.

[@warnasYTmusic]

Here are three MORE things I'd check: - Does it FAST charge (ChaDeMO). Can't test this at home, so make sure you are prepared during test drive. - Does it come with a charge cable (from your orange charge port (type 1 / SAE j1772) to a 'Mennekes' or whatever public charging stations in your area use. SO that should be different on both sides and both should be female. This what you'll use when NOT charging at home and in some cases when you are charging at home but you have a charger that comes without an attached cable. These cables don't come cheap, about €200. - Does it come with the 'granny charger', which is also type 1 / SAE j1772 but goes to a big charge box which plugs into a wall socket. You may need this once or twice a year only, but boy will you be glad it's there. Should come with the car. As to the brakes: they will rust before they wear out. Noisy/grinding brakes means something has rusted. Replacing that is not the biggest deal in the world. I've had it done after about six years and any garage can do it. Does need to be factored into the price. Also look at the tyres: worn tyres cause a lot of noise (usually masked by the engine) and influence the range. You'll want low resistance tyres. Also check: does it come with 2 keyless entry keys & does it drift left or right whilst driving.

[@KennyGillis]

Thanks Niet!

[@naeemmisr]

Drift left or right ? Can you pls explain this ?

[@hoffinger]

​@@naeemmisrthe car track straight. If it doesn't it can be a number of things. The least is a tire that is bad. The worst is a bent chassis.

[@Tanya_Rich_Actor]

@@hoffingeraren’t most cars deliberately made to swerve slightly away from the road if you take your hands off wheel? I was told this is to stop it from heading into on coming traffic if you fall asleep 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@SuitYourselfT]

@@Tanya_Rich_Actorwhen you go to get your car inspected the check the "wheels" to make sure it would drive straight and doesn't drift. it pops up on the little screen in their booth. you might be thinking of how tesla autopilot turns off or something if you don't hold the wheel. not sure what you're thinking of exactly

[@NickiPostsTravelStuff]

Great video! Makes me want to buy a car now! If I do, I will be buying a Leaf! :)

[@KennyGillis]

Thanks! It's the Chipotle burrito of cars, so much bang for the buck, ha!

[@NickiPostsTravelStuff]

@@KennyGillis hahahahahhahaha

[@anthonycraig274]

@@NickiPostsTravelStuff In the U.K. London, the used LEAF has shot up in price. The cheapest i can find one for(2011) is $8,000. a few weeks ago I was lucky to get a fantastic 2017 example with 24kwh. The battery is in a perfect state of Health SOH. I only planned to get this as a temporary car as I wait for my Model Y. I am so impressed with it, that I am going to keep it. I seriously love this car.

[@NickiPostsTravelStuff]

@@anthonycraig274 Wow that's great to hear you love it! Glad it's such a good car!

[@narinderchander]

@@KennyGillis Fish and Chips for me, over here in England!

[@adoboutine1448]

Hey Kenny. I stumbled upon your channel when I am researching about used nissan leafs/leaves? Anyway, this video is so helpful specially for people like me who does not know much about leafs or EV in general. Question though. Does milage matter? Cheapest one I've seen so far here is a 2015 with a 158k km milage (around 93k in miles) battery health is 11/12 they sell it for 13k canadian. I live in Canada so the priing here might be different. The car drives solid though, no noise.

[@KennyGillis]

Hello! Thanks for watching. I just drove a 120,000 mile Leaf last week with 10/12 bars on the original suspension and steering parts and it felt very tight still. Time will tell with these cars, but I think that the 2013-2017 Leafs will go a long time if you take care of the battery. The price for the 2015 seems fair, especially if it is a SV or SL.

[@julieanne1587]

Whoa! What part of Canada are you in and is it feasible for you to buy a car in the US? I live in Oregon and bought my 2017 Leaf S with 19K miles for $13,990. Beautiful car, all 12 bars on batt. Tbh, I wasn't even looking to buy a car but when I saw this ad at a dealership, I had to take a look. Amazing deal but prices here are better than what you described. There's a Leaf specialty shop in Portland, OR, that sells used Leafs and installs batteries, too.

[@mardono1]

​@@julieanne1587 Hello. I live in Portland, please share the name and location of that used Leaf dealer. Thank you

[@upcloseimage]

@@julieanne1587 yes , please share the specialty shop info..

[@abwilson2011]

Hi Kenny, Thx for these videos...I have a 2013 with 7 bars of battery life left...is it time to replace or should I continue with this battery. Also, can the battery pack be upgraded to 64? And how much does it cost to replace. I know you mentioned that you have a friend who does this...I live in the Denver area too.

[@KennyGillis]

You're welcome. I guess it comes down to is the car not usable anymore? I can reach out to my friend and see if he is still doing Leaf battery installs. The tricky part is finding a good battery to put in there.

[@abwilson2011]

Thx, but I traded it in and got a 2020 LEAF…I know you said not to bother with a dealer but I wanted one that I could depend on for 10+ years and the price worked for me…thx so much for these videos and your response, most appreciated!!!

[@KennyGillis]

@@abwilson2011 You are welcome! Enjoy your new Leaf! I can understand going with the dealer as it may be hard to find the car you want sometimes private party.

[@dalegrantham4514]

Thanks, U saved me $4000 on a 2011 with 6 bars left.

[@KennyGillis]

That’s awesome!

[@thecuriousquest]

I see one that's for sale near me, a 2011 for just over 3k with 9 bars for the battery 😬. So tempting. Definite 10 or no go? Or would you bend the rules a little for something with 9?

[@KennyGillis]

I recommend not buying the 2011 or 2012 models because the batteries did not last as long as 2013 and later. Good luck!

[@SafarWIP]

sad thing in the UK they charge more insurance on electric, they will road tax from 2025 March and the Electricity costt more this time then petroL:)?

[@kathyfann]

Can we put larger or more batteries to increase the range and even solar because it’s just not enough for where I live.

[@KennyGillis]

If you have a 2011-2017 Leaf it is possible to put a larger battery, it's just pricey.

[@MrTruckerf]

How do they do in a Midwestern winter? Below zero temps, running the heater full blast and driving at night with the lights on could make for extremely short range.

[@KennyGillis]

I agree. I would go with a bigger battery model starting in 2018 unless you're not driving too far between charges.

[@bold58]

If I buy a leaf it would be for local around town and around the county driving . Which is most of my driving. I would keep my gas car for trips out of state and such . I make two or three out of state trips a year so the gas mileage would be minimal.

[@richieannarelli5714]

I'm thinking about upgrading to the 2023 Nissan Leaf Plus

[@KennyGillis]

Those are nice cars!

[@eiletstone]

Yes always buy a leaf with 12 bars on the battery, but the only way to check this is that the seller as fully charged the car battery so you can check that it has 12 bars

[@KennyGillis]

Hi Philip, the car does not need to be fully charged to see the battery state of health. If you go to 1:40 in the video, you will see my car has 52% battery charge and you can still count the number of bars for the overall battery state of health. In this part of the video you can see my car has 7/12 for charge, and 10/12 for lifetime battery state of health. Thanks for watching and let me know if you have questions.

[@StupidBengaliNerd]

I bought a 2020 nissan leaf for $13400 with 154 miles on a full charge. It was a little bit cheaper because it had 30900 miles on the odometer, and I've already driven it 1,500 miles

[@KennyGillis]

Whoa! That’s an excellent price, usually that car would got for closer to $17k US or close to depending on options. Excellent buy!

[@IsThatSpaceCowBoy]

I just pray the battery is still good

[@archemity]

I just bought a 2015 with 46k miles and all 12 bars. Car only has one charge port, so no fast charge, that may have something to do with the battery being still 100% capacity.

[@KennyGillis]

Sounds like a great buy!

[@miker230]

What's your take on the issues with these cars not braking? I'm considering buying one but the brake issues is a concern.

[@KennyGillis]

I was unaware of this braking issue. I just did some reading and found that you can check your vin number against a recall list on the Nissan website. I’ve also heard that checking the 12 V battery can also help. I don’t think this is a common issue.

[@richieannarelli5714]

New York state inspection cost $20 on an EV car when I go for my ear inspection

[@velocityacoustics]

I'm looking at buyjng a 2013 leaf, it has 28 miles of range, but only 1 WHITE bar for battery health. Should i stay away from it? Whats the worst the range can get to if you never replace the battery?

[@KennyGillis]

If it is 1 white bar of battery health, that would mean it has two red bars and 1 white bar for a total of 3 bars? Is that what you mean? Either way, anything less than 9 bars I would stay away from, unless the car is super cheap and you're only using to get to the grocery store etc.

[@velocityacoustics]

@@KennyGillis yes, total 3 bars

[@mahomadaminprmamodo4006]

Hi i want to know about nissan leaf nippon dealer in Leicester he shaw me 2011 nisan leaf in 6000 pound and mileage is 56000 and it is japan export car in uk. Can you advice me it is good or which things i have to check in it. Thanks

[@KennyGillis]

I think the most important things are the three mentioned in the video. Good luck!

[@JohnJohnson-rl7fq]

Have you every changed out a power distribution module? I have a 2016 leaf and the dealership is recommending I change that out. It is 4k to switch it out

[@KennyGillis]

What is going on with your car? Is it not charging? I haven’t switched one out before.

[@stnln2180]

This is the problem with Leaf. Any repair without exception is astronomical to say the least. And the reason is simple, there's nobody knows how to fix it and a dealership will milk you dry.... Don't waste your money just call junk yard...

[@paulmcgarr6557]

What exactly are we looking at on the new models? I watched your video but wasn't sure what I was seeing. Avoid rapid charging unless in extreme circumstances. I've owned 2 LEAFs a 2013 S and a 2015 SV. My 13 was wrecked with 45000 and still 12 bars. My 15 had 30000 and 12 bars when I got it but went to 11 before 35000. I rather enjoyed the hypermiling. Sadly she also got wrecked. Insurance is a little higher. But my savings in gas made my car payment.

[@KennyGillis]

On the newer model you need to toggle through the menu on the dash to get to the display that shows you overall battery health which is different than the earlier ones. The 2011-2017 just have it always displayed on the right side. Let me know if that makes sense. I think I show in the video how to toggle to the battery health display in the video. Let me know if you have questions. Thanks

[@paulmcgarr6557]

The horizontal white bar left side middle 0 to 1?

[@Lonesygamer]

I've seen these go at dealer auction for $1500 bucks its a cheap good grocery getter

[@shaonian]

I've owed a 24kwh, a 30kwh and now a 40kwh (Japanese imports) None of them have broken down but... The 24kwh often got error codes when fast charging and there was noise from the left front wheel The 30kwh was perfect. The 40kwh has noise from the left front wheel and propilot sometimes cuts out when it's cold.

[@samusaran7317]

May never have broken down but the battery degrades like milk left out.

[@shaonian]

@@samusaran7317 Yes, each one started about 90% and went down to about 80% before I traded it in. Nissan chucked away their early lead with their useless battery technology.

[@violetta6280]

@@shaonian Over what period of time and how many Km/miles did it take to go down 20%?

[@shaonian]

@@violetta6280 The 30kwh started at 92% (August 2019), went down to 80% (May, 2022). Then up to 85% (June, 2022). Why did it go up? Because I did a lot of long trips and fast charging. Why does that make it go up? I don't know. It's always like that with the leaf.

[@KennyGillis]

Mine has stayed at 10 bars for the last 3 years. I don’t usually need to charge to 100% so most of the time just to 80%.

[@IsThatSpaceCowBoy]

So I see this 2011 leaf at a local dealership not Nissan or anything big I’m test driving it Saturday with 50k miles would it be covered with warranty still?

[@KennyGillis]

I don’t recommend a 2011 or 2012 car since the batteries degrade quicker unless you are getting a really really good deal.

[@terry2346]

No it would not. Beyond the 5 years

[@IsThatSpaceCowBoy]

And how do I check the warranty do I call my local Nissan or something to see if it’s eligible only cause I’m not buying it from Nissan and this is my first car so I’m not sure where to check for that 60k miles warranty hope it works out because it only has 50k miles

[@KennyGillis]

For the 2011/2012, the battery warranty was 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever came first, so the battery warranty is not valid anymore. Again, I highly recommend a 2013 or newer car. Good luck in your search!

[@raminbaghirov9998]

@@KennyGillis how much battery cost?

[@tictac9367]

How much would it cost to change the battery is there a better battery aftermarket with longer range for the 2012s?

[@KennyGillis]

I have a friend that can put the 2013-2016 24kwh pack in a 2011/2012 car. I can check pricing and get back. He’s an independent shop in the Denver area, I’m guessing $5k. Dealer would be much more.

[@tictac9367]

@@KennyGillis yeah thanks 5k is what im hearing im in los angeles that 5k one is around 80 miles on a full charge? How long does a full charge typically take off a regular outlet? Theres a free charger station close to where i live but i do not know if it has fast charging and also do not known of the 2012-2015 nissan leafs i am looking at for around 5k-8k all have fast charging capabilities some of them list they do but do you have any other videos explaining the whole charging part of the leaf

[@kathyfann]

Where do we find a battery pack on the market besides the Dealership

[@KennyGillis]

Hi Kathy, this is a little tricky. Most people find batteries in wrecked cars because the cost from the dealer is so high, like over $10k. In some cases it is cheaper and easier to switch your car with one with a larger battery pack.

[@carltonbrown7671]

Say who those car still ave to check

[@richardgrumbine4867]

fairly bullet proof cars… if the battery is really bad… you can get refurbished batteries fairly cheap… 4 grandish depending on size and location… also DO check the heating and cooling system… they are not prone to failure… but are fairly expensive to repair…

[@carltonbrown7671]

Me ave one it not charging