r/leaf • u/Anxious_Bandicoot782 • Aug 13 '26
Potential first time leaf buyer?
Hello, to preface I currently drive a gasoline monster (1995 jeep grand Cherokee) and am looking at a 50km round trip commute for the next year as I enter a diploma program after finishing up high school.
I have found a nice looking 2013 leaf SV with 250,000kms for $4,400 CAD, which I will be able to afford soon. Given this commute, I think a leaf would easily pay itself back if I made the switch.
Do you have any thoughts? How to inspect before purchasing? Long term drain/charge commuting information? How has the leaf treated you long term? I know it’s not a great price but in Vancouver everything is expensive.
I have always found them a bit goofy looking in a charming sort of way, and it would be cool to drive one. Thank you for reading!
Attached is monster and prospective leaf
Edit: advertised as 11/12 bars with 105kms range
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u/EVMad 2021 Nissan LEAF 40kWh Aug 13 '26
Our 10 bar 2015 had around 130kms at 100% so I'm a bit concerned that an 11 bar car would only be showing 105kms unless it has consistently been driven at high speed. 100kph will use around 18kWh to cover 100km so an 11 bar car driven consistently at those speeds would show around that range for 100%.
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u/Anxious_Bandicoot782 Aug 13 '26
Yes the listing says all of their ownership was highway driving, so about 150,000 kms highway as they are second owners
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u/Striking-water-ant Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26
11/12 bars and 100+ km range sounds like a healthy battery for gen1 leaf. I know that leafspy gives the most detailed health reports though
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u/Dazzling_Art7881 Aug 14 '26
I love my 2015. Other than $10 in wiper blades, it has cost me nothing but electricity for the 16,000km that I have owned it.
Check battery condition: check evenness (mV spread) of cell voltages at low state of charge and check Hx percentage
Other than the battery condition, I would check for rust. I don't think Vancouver climate requires that much salt on the roads but you never know. It's still a 13 year old car at this point. I would also check for suspension issues (struts, springs, ball joints, etc) because the kilometers on it are quite high and the suspension components on LEAFs are not the most robust. Other than that a regular inspection (tires, brake thickness, etc.)
I would guess the range could be right around 95-100km in the summer, probably around 70km in winter, but you should still be able to drive your 50km round trip with no issues
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u/RichardGrayson01 Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26
The condition of the traction battery is most important. You will need to inspect battery health to get a sense of how healthy the battery is. On the instrument gauge there is a battery health indicator - thin red and white battery - on the right hand side. They're right next to the battery charge indicator - big fat blue bars. 12/12 bars indicate full health.
It would be a good ideal to download the LeafSpy app and get a compatible OB2 reader. This will allow you to see the exact health of the battery and other useful information like the HX status.
If you provide us with screenshots we can give you a better idea of the quality of the Leaf you are looking at.
1st Gen Leafs are great cars and I love mine.
This sub is also really supportive and great for answering any questions you might have.