How to Check EV Battery Health Before Buying

2026-01-05

What is State of Health (SoH)?

SoH is the current capacity of the battery as a percentage of original. A 5-year-old EV with 90% SoH is excellent. Below 80% is concerning.

How to Check

  1. OBD-II scanner reads battery management system data
  2. Dealer diagnostics MG, BYD offer free SoH checks
  3. Range test charge to 100%, drive until 10%, compare to claimed range
  4. Nissan Leaf only count battery bars on dashboard (12 = new, 8 = replace soon)

Red Flags

  • Fast charging every day (accelerates degradation)
  • Stored at 100% or 0% for long periods
  • Range dropped more than 20% in 3 years
  • Warning lights or error codes

Replacement Cost

New battery pack: PKR 15-40 Lakh depending on size. Factor this into your purchase price if SoH is low.

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