Used Porsche Taycan (Mk1, 2019-date) buyer’s guide: a sensational EV that’s now less than £30k
A full used buyer's guide on the Porsche Taycan that's been on sale in the UK since 2019
Verdict
Electric vehicles are often touted as a route to cheap motoring, but you won’t find that here. Just as in the ICE world, Porsche is at the top end of the market and you pay accordingly. But if you want one of the best electric cars available, cars don’t come any easier than this to recommend. As a used buy, the purchase costs aren’t especially high when compared with some of the very ordinary new EVs now available for £40k-£50k. The Porsche Taycan was designed from the ground up as an electric model, and Porsche was meticulous with its development – and it shows. That’s why we think so highly of it, and so will you if you take the plunge.
As the 19th century morphed into the 20th, electric cars were vying for supremacy with petrol and steam, and in the mix was the 1898 Egger-Lohner EV, designed by none other than Ferdinand Porsche. Just two years later the Lohner-Porsche Electromobile EV appeared at the Paris Expo.
However, limited charging infrastructure and low-tech batteries meant it wasn’t yet time for the EV; it would take another century before the electric car would start to become viable.
When the EV returned with a vengeance, Porsche was not at the vanguard, but once it became clear that there was a global push for EVs to become mainstream, the Taycan became a reality. It was Porsche’s first production electric model – and what a car it is!
History
The Taycan arrived in September 2019. At launch there were 616bhp Turbo and Turbo S editions, but within a month there was also the 483bhp 4S. All of these had four-wheel drive, but in March 2021 a new base model joined the range, sold simply as the Taycan, with 375bhp and rear-wheel drive.
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Cash £34,990Two months later Porsche introduced the Cross Turismo, a Taycan hatch (billed more as an estate), with the same powertrain options as the saloon, plus a 375bhp Taycan 4 option, then in November 2021 came the 509bhp Taycan GTS. At the same time the Taycan Sport Turismo was launched, a lower-riding and sportier version of the Taycan Cross Turismo.
The craziest Taycan – the 778bhp Turbo GT – went on sale in March 2024, then the whole model range was facelifted in November 2024. The updates included bigger batteries, more power, new headlights and a refreshed infotainment interface, while an entry-level four-wheel-drive Taycan 4 joined the range.
Prices
If you’re in the market for a used Taycan, you’re spoiled for choice. The 4S is by far the most common version, with the GTS a distant second, followed by the Turbo S and Turbo. Almost half of the Taycans for sale are Turismo editions.
You can buy a used Porsche Taycan for less than £30,000 through our Buy a Car service, while a used Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo can be yours from just over £45,000.
Check the price of a Porsche Taycan with our free car valuation tool...
Which one should I buy?
No Taycan is lacking performance-wise. Even the 2025 entry-level model does 144mph and 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds; the Turbo S offers 162mph and 2.3 seconds, while the GTS model is pegged at 156mph and 3.5 seconds.
All Taycans have lots of standard kit, including heated and electrically adjustable front seats, matrix LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera, two-zone climate control, ambient cabin lighting, wireless smartphone charging, and a heat pump to improve range on cold days.
The options list was extensive, so pin down what infotainment, trim, brakes, wheels, paint and seats are fitted. Check what driver-assistance systems the car has too, because some were extra-cost options.
On the road
Fearsome acceleration is yours for the taking; the power outputs are available all the time, but an overboost facility on every car ups the power for bonkers short-term acceleration when you need it.
However, the Taycan isn’t just about mind-bending performance, because it’s far more agile than the two tonne-plus kerbweight should allow. As standard, the steering, brakes and suspension are superb, but if you can find a Taycan with the optional rear-wheel steering and Active Ride air suspension (standard on some models), things will be even better.
Alternatives to the Porsche Taycan
There’s nothing on sale to match the Turismo’s high-performance electric estate status, but the saloon Taycan’s closest rival is the Audi e-tron GT, which shares a lot with the Porsche, but it has its own character, due to a unique cabin and different suspension set-up. The Lotus Emeya is costly to buy and unusual, but gives the Taycan a run for its money in all respects.
Depending on where you’re buying in the Taycan range, in terms of price, you could consider a BMW i4, i5 or i7, or a Mercedes EQE or EQS. The Tesla Model S is now discontinued, but there are lots of used examples, and you’ll love the packaging, performance and impressive range they offer.
What to look for
Assorted batteries
The Taycan, 4 and 4S came with an 89kWh battery as standard, which can be upgraded to the 105kWh Performance Battery Plus. This came as standard on the GTS, Turbo and Turbo S, and on all models from 2025.
On the range
Across all Taycans, the minimum claimed range is 230 miles for the Taycan 4S with the standard battery, and the maximum is 318 miles, for the 4S Performance Battery Plus. Expect a range of 220-240 miles in everyday use.
Peace of mind
There are isolated stories of battery packs being replaced under warranty at £50k-plus, but so far they’re lasting well. All Taycans have eight-year/100k-mile battery cover, guaranteeing 70 per cent of its original capacity.
Keep up to date
The Taycan’s software needs to be up-to-date, to maximise range and minimise running problems with the infotainment, as well as the car’s electrical systems, any of which can play up.
Interior
The cabin is every inch a Porsche, with its premium materials and hi-tech feel, with large digital displays for the instrumentation and infotainment. As you’d expect, it all works brilliantly and the switchgear feels very high in quality.
Rear-seat space is tight and there’s room for only four people, unless a fifth seat was added at extra cost. Boot space also isn’t generous, but the Turismo editions offer more carrying capacity and extra rear-seat headroom.
Running costs
Your fuel costs could be minimal if you can charge largely at home, while maintenance costs aren’t too bad. Services alternate between Minor (£576, Porsche Tewkesbury) and Major (£697); with an interval of every two years or 18,000 miles, the annual cost is pretty good. Expect insurance to cost plenty; entry-level saloons are in groups 47-50, the Sport Turismo sits is in groups 48-50 and the Cross Turismo is in groups 49-50.
Anything above an entry-level model is in group 50, while road tax is £195 a year; cars registered from 1 April 2025 are also liable for the £425 expensive-car supplement until their sixth birthday. Potentially the biggest cost is depreciation. Taycans are known for shedding lots of value as soon as they’re registered, and plentiful supply suggests depreciation will continue to be an issue for a while yet.
Recalls
Sixteen recalls so far isn’t very reassuring; some are because of the Taycan’s powertrain, which shouldn’t be a surprise considering this was Porsche’s first EV. Several actions have been due to battery manufacturing faults (September 2023, March, April, October and November 2024), while glitches in the high-voltage electronics’ software led to a recall in July 2021.
Separate suspension problems led to the manufacturer launching campaigns in March, June and December 2021, as well as December 2022 and July 2025, while short circuits in the front-seat wiring were revealed in May 2022.
In July 2024 there were recalls because of faulty brake hoses and problematic rear seatbelts. In the case of the last one, the issue was specific to the Turismo editions.
Driver Power owner satisfaction
Even though the Taycan overtook the Macan as Porsche’s biggest-selling model, it still doesn’t sell in large enough quantities to make it into our Driver Power surveys. Indeed, no Porsche models have appeared, but the brand as a whole has.
Most recently it came fourth in the 2024 survey, having notched up numerous first places for factors such as exterior quality and design, the cabin layout and quality, steering response, handling and driving pleasure.
Did you know you can sell your car through Auto Express? We’ll help you get a great price and find a great deal on a new car, too.
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