Help in deciding which used Nissan Leaf 2015 to buy - SoH and battery bars?

[isape]

Hi good people! I am considering buying one of the following used 2015 Nissan leafs but I am confused if I should look mainly at battery capacity (so best options would be A or B), battery bars (best options A or C), and of course also considering the price (this is shipping and importing from Japan, so it includes duty vat etc). I would be grateful for any advice! Best, Isabelle.

Option YoM Battery bar level SoH Mileage (km) Total price (USD)
A 2014/12 12 85.63% 80000 16’100
B 2015/2 10 83.17% 83000 14’028
C 2015/3 11 81.14% 35000 14’728

 

[LeftieBiker]

The "battery bar level" shown for all but one of them doesn't make sense to me. It looks like all but the '14 were subjected to hot climates and/or high states of charge when not driven. Thus the 2014 looks best, but the price is too high. If prices are fixed, I'd keep looking, unless you can easily afford the 2014. What models are they?

 

[isape]

They are all Nissan Leaf X. From Japan... Indeed the price is quite high and I would prefer choosing from the 2 cheaper ones... am confused through about the discrepancy between battery bars and SoH, where the one with a higher battery bar has a lower SoH, and vice versa...

 

[Stanton]

I agree that there seems to be some discrepancy between bars and SOH, but I wouldn't buy anything "long distance" until I knew the source of that SOH (tool/person/etc). I would also be concerned who/how you are going to service the car if something happens. Where are you located?

 

[powersurge]

This post is very iffy to me.

No one should buy a car based on statistics, especially by the condition of the battery.

Rule #1 - Of buying a used car. You are not buying the car.... You need to know WHO you are buying from. In my life.... No dealers. No sight unseen. You must go to their house and see how they live, and how the car lived...

Rule #2) - You want to have a direct lineage of the car.. With who owned the car, where the car lived, and by whom was it driven. Did they keep receipts of any maintenance. CARFAX>>>>>>

If I cannot determine a direct personal evaluation of the previous owner, I do not buy the car.

 

[LeftieBiker]

A 2014/12 12 85.63% 80000 16’100
B 2015/2 10 83.17% 83000 14’028
C 2015/3 11 81.14% 35000 14’728

Again, the way you wrote the bar level doesn't make sense. 12 of 12 does, but 2 of 10? 3 of 11??? Throw out the first number in each and they make sense. 11 bars with 81.14% SOH makes sense (it's an 11 bar pack nearing 10 bars), but I agree that 10 bars and 83% SOH does not.

 

[alozzy]

A 2014/12 12 85.63% 80000 16’100
B 2015/2 10 83.17% 83000 14’028
C 2015/3 11 81.14% 35000 14’728

Again, the way you wrote the bar level doesn't make sense. 12 of 12 does, but 2 of 10? 3 of 11??? Throw out the first number in each and they make sense. 11 bars with 81.14% SOH makes sense (it's an 11 bar pack nearing 10 bars), but I agree that 10 bars and 83% SOH does not.

I think the "2014/12" is the year/month of manufacture, the next number is the capacity bars (12), followed by SOH (85.63%), mileage, etc.

 

[LeftieBiker]

A 2014/12 12 85.63% 80000 16’100
B 2015/2 10 83.17% 83000 14’028
C 2015/3 11 81.14% 35000 14’728

Again, the way you wrote the bar level doesn't make sense. 12 of 12 does, but 2 of 10? 3 of 11??? Throw out the first number in each and they make sense. 11 bars with 81.14% SOH makes sense (it's an 11 bar pack nearing 10 bars), but I agree that 10 bars and 83% SOH does not.

I think the "2014/12" is the year/month of manufacture, the next number is the capacity bars (12), followed by SOH (85.63%), mileage, etc.

I think that you're right. It would have been nice if that were listed in the legend above it. The month of manufacture really only matters for 2013 Leafs - maybe also the rumored Lizard packs in very late 2014 cars.

 

[isape]

Thank you so much everyone for your advice! When I posted the table, the tile of the columns got a bit skewed, see below again. I live in Kenya and indeed this is still a bit ground-breaking here to buy an electric car. But I believe that it is the future. There is a Nissan representation here so I think when it comes to repairs, there are a few (even though not so many) mechanics who will be able to get the job done. And after all, decade-old cars are made to still work here, so I have some belief in the people's ingeniousness

It is very common to go through certain agents / companies that import cars from Japan, because not all cars are available here. The genuine companies seem to be good, they test the car etc on their side and grade it to show status of the car. I have decided to go for the Nissan Leaf with battery bar 11 and 81.14% battery capacity Thanks again, take care and stay safe everyone!!

Option YoM Battery bar level SoH Mileage (km) Total price (USD)
A 2014/12 12 85.63% 80000 16’100
B 2015/2 10 83.17% 83000 14’028
C 2015/3 11 81.14% 35000 14’728

 

[GerryAZ]

I just saw this thread so I did not reply earlier. I believe you made the best choice. If the SOH values are from Leaf Spy or Nissan's Consult 3+, then the 2014 is about to drop the first capacity bar and all three cars have almost the same capacity. Therefore, the 2015 with the fewest km (fewest miles) is the best deal. I hope you enjoy the car.

 

[Stanton]

I think you made a good choice considering the circumstances. Good luck with your new Leaf!