Buying a used Vauxhall Vivaro Electric
Finding the right used Vauxhall Vivaro Electric for sale in the UK is an exceptional way to decarbonise your business while significantly reducing daily operational overheads. Originally launched as the Vivaro-e before adopting the Vivaro Electric badge, this mid-sized commercial vehicle has become one of Britain's best-selling electric vans, consistently winning awards for its practicality, drivability, and real-world efficiency.
What is the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric Known For?
The Vauxhall Vivaro Electric is celebrated for offering a seamless transition from diesel to electric motoring. Built on Stellantis's versatile EMP2 architecture, it shares its platform with sibling models from Peugeot, Citroën, and Toyota. Crucially, because the traction battery packs are housed neatly beneath the cargo floor, the Vivaro Electric maintains identical load volume to its internal combustion counterparts—ranging from 5.3m³ in standard L1 guise up to 6.6m³ in long-wheelbase L2 form.
Available with either a 50kWh battery offering up to 143 miles (WLTP) or a larger 75kWh battery offering around 205 miles (WLTP), the Vivaro Electric delivers impressive flexibility. Furthermore, with 100kW DC rapid-charging capability, the 50kWh version can reach 80% charge in just 30 minutes, keeping your downtime to a minimum. It also exempts operators from the London Congestion Charge, ULEZ, and Clean Air Zone (CAZ) charges across regional UK cities.
Typical Use Cases and Industries
The Vivaro Electric is an ideal choice for multi-drop delivery couriers, local trade professionals, and service engineers who operate predominantly within urban or regional territories. Electricians, plumbers, painters, and maintenance contractors benefit enormously from low cost-per-mile running costs and overnight home or depot charging.
Furthermore, businesses operating in towns with stringent emissions regulations—such as London, Bristol, Bath, Sheffield, and Birmingham—find the Vivaro Electric indispensable for avoiding daily entry fees. Its payload capacity, which reaches up to 1,226kg on select variants, means heavy equipment and bulk materials can still be transported without compromise.
What to Check When Buying a Used Vauxhall Vivaro Electric
When assessing a used Vauxhall Vivaro Electric on the UK market, conduct these tailored inspections:
- Battery State of Health (SoH): Vauxhall provides an eight-year or 100,000-mile traction battery warranty covering degradation below 70%. Ask the seller for an official battery health diagnostic printout to verify remaining capacity.
- Charging Cables and Hardware: Ensure the vehicle includes its Mode 3 Type 2 charging cable. Inspect the charging port pins for corrosion, bent contacts, or loose locking pins, and test both AC charging and rapid DC charging prior to purchase.
- Tyre Wear and Suspension: Electric powertrains produce instantaneous torque, which can accelerate front tyre wear. Additionally, the extra weight of the battery pack puts heavier demands on suspension bushes, ball joints, and shock absorbers.
- Service History and Software Updates: Check the digital service record. Electric vans still require regular brake fluid changes, cabin filter replacements, coolant checks for the thermal battery management system, and regular dealer software updates.
Common Faults to Look For
While generally reliable, pre-owned Vivaro Electrics can exhibit a few known issues:
- 12-Volt Auxiliary Battery Failure: Just like conventional vehicles, electric vans rely on a standard 12V battery to boot the onboard ECUs. A weak 12V battery is the most common cause of electrical glitches, charging refusal, or failure to start.
- On-Board Charger (OBC) Glitches: Some early models experienced failures with the internal AC charger (either standard 7.4kW single-phase or optional 11kW three-phase units). Ensure the van charges reliably on a standard home wallbox.
- HVAC and Heat Pump Performance: Test the cabin climate control thoroughly on hot and cold settings. Faulty thermal expansion valves or heat pump faults can cripple cabin heating and hurt winter driving range.
- Sticky Charging Flap: The electronic release mechanism on the front passenger-side wing charge flap can occasionally stick or fail to unlock smoothly.
Typical Used Price Ranges in the UK
Second-hand Vauxhall Vivaro Electric prices in the UK reflect year, mileage, and battery size:
- £10,000 to £14,000 (ex-VAT): High-mileage early models (2020–2021), usually featuring the 50kWh battery in entry-level Dynamic or Edition trim.
- £14,000 to £19,000 (ex-VAT): Clean, mid-mileage 2021–2023 vans, often with the 75kWh battery or in popular Sportive/Prime trim.
- £19,000 to £25,000+ (ex-VAT): Late-plate, low-mileage 75kWh examples (often GS or Ultimate specifications) with remaining manufacturer warranty.
Note that most commercial vehicle prices exclude VAT, so factor this in unless buying as an individual.
Find Your Used Vauxhall Vivaro Electric Today
Browse our extensive, vetted selection of used Vauxhall Vivaro Electric vans at vansales.com. Benefit from detailed vehicle histories, flexible finance packages, and competitive nationwide delivery to get your business electric-ready today.