Used cars

What to verify before you buy a used electric car in 2026 — battery health, remaining warranty, and the fact that the $4,000 federal used-EV credit ended on September 30, 2025.

Used-car prices are off the 2022 peak but not cheap. Kelley Blue Book's July 2026 average sale was about $27,000, financing still costs ~11.4%, and the federal used-EV credit is gone.

A mid-2026 guide to used-car value — which segments still look cheap relative to the $27,000 average sale, how to think about EVs after the federal credit ended, and why the loan often matters more than the sticker.

Used-car prices are 15–17% below the 2022 peak, but retail averages are still about 31% above 2019. Here's the mid-2026 picture — CPI vs what buyers actually pay, and why financing still stings.