Video summary

Les ÉLECTRIQUES d'occasion à ACHETER et à ne SURTOUT PAS acheter !

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product reviewed (theme of the video)

The video is a guide to used electric cars in France for under €20,000, with model-by-model recommendations and “avoid” warnings. It does not focus on a single product; instead, it ranks multiple EVs by category—microcars, city cars, compact cars/sedans, and compact SUVs—emphasizing:

  • Resale value
  • Versatility
  • Charging access
  • Battery size and real-world usefulness

Key recommendations by category (with notable specs)

1) Microcars (city-focused EVs)

Best picks

  • Volkswagen e-Up! / SEAT Mii Electric / Škoda Citigo-e iV (same “Up!/Mii/Citigo” family)

    • Pros
      • Very pleasant in the city (can also go outside cities)
      • CCS charging port = access to more chargers than rivals in this class
      • Type 2 also
      • 32 kWh battery
      • Efficient / low running costs
      • Strong resale appeal (positioned as one of the best options)
    • Cons
      • Charging isn’t “very fast” (about 7 kW AC mentioned)
    • Variant guidance (important)
      • Recommend “Yup 2.0” / newer version
      • Older versions had <20 kWh and are “too limited”
    • Range
      • About 260 km WLTP (Phase 2)
    • Typical used price
      • About €10,000–€15,000 on Le Bon Coin (as stated)

  • BMW i3 / i3s (recommend avoid range-extender versions)

    • Pros
      • Good versatility for an urban car due to CCS
      • 37 kWh battery
      • Better charging mix: 7 kW AC and 50 kW DC
      • Positioned as a collector-style EV likely to hold value
    • Cons
      • Still an “urban vehicle” (not a true travel EV)
    • Recommendation (specific)
      • The 120 Ah version with 170/184 hp and 37 kWh
      • Do not recommend versions with a range extender
    • Price
      • Can be found under €20,000 on Le Bon Coin

Also recommended (but limited)

  • Renault Twingo Electric / Smart EQ Fortwo (same technical basis mentioned)

    • Pros
      • Excellent for city use
      • Dynamic (82 hp)
      • Great turning radius
      • Low consumption in summer
    • Cons (major)
      • No CCS port → limited to Type 2 (can’t use ultra-fast charging stations)
    • Battery / range
      • 22 kWh, 190 km WLTP (stated as “190 km”)
    • Charging
      • 22 kW onboard charger
    • Main verdict
      • City-only practicality; constrained outside city

  • Smart EQ (separately mentioned)

    • Pros
      • Good for two people
      • 82 hp
      • 22 kW charging (under an hour on a 22 kW charger)
    • Cons
      • Only city use
      • 17 kWh battery
      • Range 235 km WLTP (not huge)
      • Can be found under €20,000 (as stated)

Budget value pick with a crucial condition

  • Dacia Spring
    • Pros
      • Low purchase price
      • Used availability is common above €10,000
      • Recommended mainly because it’s cheap to run
      • Can become more versatile if equipped correctly
    • Critical requirement
      • Recommend only if it has the optional CCS charging
      • Not all Springs have CCS
    • Cons
      • Even with CCS, charging speed isn’t great (but CCS adds access to fast/ultra-fast networks)
      • Driving is described as not particularly pleasant
    • Resale angle
      • CCS option adds an “extra selling point” at resale

Avoid (explicit)

  • Citroën Ami / Fiat Topolino

    • Not framed as “bad,” but positioned as a second/third vehicle
    • ~70 km range, purely urban

  • Avoid the “Citroën/Peugeot/Mitsubishi” trio (older micro-EVs)

    • Cons
      • Outdated
      • Type 1 charging
      • Average build/looks
      • Hard to resell
      • Value “plummeted”

2) City cars

Top pick

  • Fiat 500e (recommend the 37 kWh version)
    • Pros
      • Well-built and pleasant
      • Good real-world versatility
      • Fast DC charging up to 85 kW and 11 kW AC
      • All-season use (stated 200–250 km)
    • Charging / range specs (usable version discussed)
      • 37 kWh usable
      • 320 km WLTP
      • 118 hp
    • Cons
      • Can be expensive on higher trims
    • Key warning
      • Avoid the 23 kWh version (reduced range and worse resale)

Good alternative

  • Peugeot e-208 / Opel/Vauxhall Corsa-e (early versions)
    • Pros
      • Early versions can be ~€15,000–€20,000
      • 136 hp
      • 46 kWh battery
      • 362 km WLTP
      • DC charging up to 100 kW (paper value)
    • Cons (main complaint: charging behavior)
      • AC only ~7–7.4 kW on early versions
      • DC “100 kW” doesn’t match real charging well (“average at this price,” even with ultrafast)
      • Charging slows after 80%
      • Cold weather performance described as “mediocre”
      • Expected ~30 minutes for 10%→80%
    • Exception
      • A 11 kW HE option exists but is rare; if found, it’s preferred

Conditioned recommendation

  • Renault Zoe (latest gen 52 kWh + CCS)
    • Pros
      • If you find a CCS-equipped Zoe, it’s recommended
      • 52 kWh, 135 hp, ~400 km WLTP
      • 22 kW AC
    • Cons
      • CCS cars are practically absent on Le Bon Coin
      • Older Zoes often involve battery leasing issues and may lack CCS
    • Warnings
      • Be careful with models bought via battery leasing (complexity)
      • Older 40/22 kWh models are common but don’t offer CCS (or may not), hurting resale

Avoid (explicit)

  • Mini Cooper Electric

    • Cons
      • Lowest range in the “best” list shown
      • 37 kWh for ~230 km → limited versatility

  • Bolloré Blue Car / Citroën Ami variants

    • Cons
      • Very old, poorly made
      • “Nightmare” to own
      • Special battery management discharges when parked
      • Unsellable

3) Compact cars / sedans (under €20k)

Best pick

  • MG4 (standard model)
    • Pros
      • Excellent overall value
      • 51 kWh LFP battery
      • Can charge to 100% more comfortably (LFP tolerates full charge better)
      • 160 hp, 365 km WLTP
      • 11 kW AC and 140 kW DC
      • Modern generation, full equipment, spacious interior
    • Cons
      • Interior materials not exceptional
      • LFP can be more temperamental in cold weather (this MG4 has battery preconditioning)
    • Price
      • Finding them under €20,000 is possible

Also mentioned as a winner (but rare on classifieds)

  • Volkswagen ID.3
    • Pros
      • Well-built
      • Up to 120 kW charging (or 135 kW for the 204 hp version)
      • 300+ km WLTP
    • Recommendation preference
      • If available: 204 hp with 58 kWh (better range)
      • 45 kWh versions work but are more limited
    • Cons
      • Rare used listings
      • 45 kWh versions are uncommon because they were discontinued early

Another strong recommendation

  • “Laanunic 28 / 38” (spelling unclear in subtitles; treated as two recommended trims/models)
    • Pros
      • Very well equipped
      • Reliable, efficient
      • Low running costs
      • Quick charging (28 faster than 38, per video)
    • Range
      • Stated: “over 250 km NDC and WLTP” for “Unique 28”
      • Realistically described as ~200–250 km
    • Price
      • <€20,000
    • Reality check
      • Efficiency is strong even with the smaller battery

Avoid

  • Nissan Leaf 1 (demo/different issue)

    • Cons
      • Small battery, short range
      • “Demo charging port” makes it complicated
      • Hard to use daily

  • Nissan Leaf 2

    • Not fully condemned, but hesitant due to described demo model status
    • Unknown resale/reliability implications

  • Volkswagen Golf EV

    • Cons
      • Heavier with the same 37 kWh battery as the Up! → not great range
      • Resale difficult
      • 18 kWh versions even worse

  • Renault Fluence

    • Cons
      • 22 kWh, outdated first generation
      • Avoid

4) Compact SUVs (under €20k)

Top pick

  • Hyundai Kona EV
    • Pros
      • Best choice in this category
      • Can be found around/under €20,000 (39 or 64 kWh versions exist)
    • Recommended spec at <€20k
      • 39 kWh
      • 136 hp, 305 km WLTP
      • AC 7 or 11 kW
      • DC up to 50 kW (if stated option)
    • Better alternative
      • 64 kWh version (if you find one)

Potential entry-level options (with caveats)

  • Stellantis platform EV compact SUVs

    • Mentioned: Opel Mokka-e, DS 3 Crossback EV, Citroën e-C4 / e-IC4, etc. (subtitles reference names that appear misheard)

    • Pros

      • Sometimes ~€20k or less
      • Acceptable entry point
    • Cons
      • Same platform as a city car → range not exceptional
      • Low equipment
      • No battery preconditioning → harder winter driving

Avoid (explicit)

  • First-gen MG ZS

    • Cons
      • Old MG
      • “Borderline” 44 kWh for the class
      • Average build quality
      • Outdated infotainment
      • Likely poor aging + hard resale

  • Mazda MX-30

    • Cons
      • Small 30 kWh battery → ~200 km range
      • Not recommended outside city
      • DC fast charging only 37 kW

  • Kia EV6? / Kia SA EV (name unclear)

    • Cons
      • Charging port concern: CHAdeMO mentioned; not all stations support it
      • Older versions may have Type 1 → risk of being “caught out”
      • Resale unknown

  • eWAYs U5

    • Cons
      • Brand uncertainty (“going under,” no dealerships)
      • Maintenance via Feu Vert
      • Highway efficiency drops quickly
      • Resale/ownership risk

Pros (recurring themes across recommendations)

  • CCS charging access emphasized as the biggest practical advantage (vs. Type 2-only or Type 1-only cars)
  • Battery size/efficiency matched to use case
  • Low running costs, especially with home charging
  • Resale value guidance (some trims/models positioned as holding value better)

Cons (recurring themes across “avoid” or caveated picks)

  • Non-CCS ports (Type 1, no CCS) limit charging network and versatility
  • Outdated/older generations with questionable build/equipment or charging/battery tech
  • Battery leasing complexity (notably with older Renault Zoës)
  • Charging speed not matching advertised DC kW
  • Brand/after-sales risk (e.g., eWays U5)

Unique points explicitly mentioned (consolidated list)

  • Budget target: used EVs under €20,000 (multiple categories)
  • “Most interesting models” are chosen for:
    • Likely better resale
    • Versatility

Microcars highlights

  • Up!/Mii/Citigo: CCS advantage, 32 kWh, efficient, ~260 km WLTP
  • Avoid older microcar variants with <20 kWh (the “Yup 1.0 issue”)
  • Twingo/Smart: no CCS (Type 2 only), 22 kWh, ~190 km WLTP, good city performance
  • BMW i3/i3s: pure electric only, 37 kWh, 7 kW AC + 50 kW DC, CCS, “collector’s item” value retention
  • Smart 17 kWh: city-only, 82 hp, 22 kW charging, 235 km WLTP
  • Dacia Spring: only with optional CCS; otherwise less versatile; cheap but not great driving
  • Citroën Ami / Fiat Topolino: fun/secondary, ~70 km range, urban-only
  • Avoid older Citroën/Peugeot/Mitsubishi micro EVs: Type 1, outdated, poor resale

City cars highlights

  • Fiat 500e: recommend 37 kWh (118 hp, 320 km WLTP, DC up to 85 kW, AC 11 kW); avoid 23 kWh
  • Peugeot e-208 / Corsa-e: early versions (136 hp, 46 kWh, 362 km); charging criticism (AC ~7–7.4 kW, DC slower/average in practice, slows after 80%, cold-weather mediocre; ~30 min for 10%→80%)
  • Renault Zoe: latest 52 kWh + CCS recommended; CCS rare on listings; avoid leasing complications and older non-CCS Zoes for resale
  • Avoid Mini Cooper Electric: 37 kWh / ~230 km too limited
  • Avoid Bolloré Blue Car: very old, poor build, “unsellable,” battery discharges when parked

Compact cars highlights

  • MG4: 51 kWh LFP, 160 hp, 365 km, 11 kW AC + 140 kW DC; preconditioning helps cold; materials not exceptional
  • VW ID.3: rare; prefer 58 kWh / 204 hp; 120–135 kW charging; 45 kWh less desirable
  • “Laanunic 28/38”: efficient, reliable, low running costs; “28” faster charging; stated >250 km, realistic ~200–250 km; under €20,000
  • Avoid Nissan Leaf 1: demo port + short range; hesitate on Leaf 2 due to demo-model uncertainty
  • Avoid Golf EV: same 37 kWh but heavier; resale difficult; 18 kWh versions worse
  • Avoid Renault Fluence: 22 kWh, outdated first gen

Compact SUV highlights

  • Hyundai Kona: best pick; recommend 39 kWh under €20k (136 hp, 305 km WLTP); consider 64 kWh if found
  • Stellantis platform EV SUVs: often cheap, but range/equipment limited; no preconditioning hurts winter
  • Avoid MG ZS 1st gen, Mazda MX-30, questionable Kia variants (CHAdeMO/Type 1 risk), and eWAYs U5

Speaker views (contributions)

  • The main speaker (“Max,” implied) provides the ranking/recommendations and the charging/resale guidance.
  • No other distinct speakers with clearly differing opinions are indicated.

Overall verdict / recommendation

Buy recommendations (best bet)

  • Volkswagen e-Up! / Škoda Citigo-e / SEAT e-Mii (newer “2.0” version) for microcar value with CCS
  • BMW i3 / i3s (pure electric, ideally 120Ah / 37 kWh) for versatility and resale appeal
  • MG4 (51 kWh LFP) for strong “modern EV + charging + value” under €20k
  • Dacia Spring only if CCS-equipped
  • Fiat 500e (37 kWh) and Peugeot e-208 early versions for city comfort—with awareness of charging limits
  • Hyundai Kona for compact SUV practicality under €20k

Avoid / be cautious

  • EVs with:
    • Non-CCS charging constraints
    • Outdated generations
    • Battery leasing complexity
    • Poor brand/service support (e.g., eWays U5)
  • Specifically avoid:
    • The older micro EV trio with Type 1
    • Bolloré Blue Car variants
    • “Demo-model” ambiguities for Leaf variants
    • Low-range/low-charging-choice models like Mini Cooper (as framed here)

Bottom line: For under €20,000, prioritize CCS compatibility and battery/charging behavior that matches your real use.

Original video