What SoH percentage is good on a used EV?
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It is the question every buyer asks once they learn what state of health (SoH) is: what figure counts as good? The honest answer is that there is no single magic number - a healthy SoH depends on the car's age, the model and how it was used. What you can do is judge any figure properly, and this guide shows you how.
Why there is no one right number
SoH falls fastest in a battery's first couple of years, then the curve flattens and degradation slows. So the same percentage means different things at different ages: a small drop on a nearly new car can be unremarkable, while the same figure on a much older car can be a strong result. Judge the number against the car in front of you, not against an absolute threshold.
The four things that decide whether a figure is good
- Age. Account for the natural early drop, then the long plateau. Older does not automatically mean worse.
- Model. Different chemistries and cooling designs age differently, so compare within the same model where you can.
- History. Heat and constant rapid-charging age a battery faster than gentle daily use. A warm-climate import can read lower than its year suggests.
- Verification. A figure you can trust beats a flattering figure you cannot. Prioritise a Verified SoH badge backed by a diagnostic read.
How to use the figure when negotiating
Treat SoH as a lever, not a pass-or-fail gate. If a car's measured health sits below comparable cars, that is a concrete, evidence-based reason to negotiate - or to walk away. If it sits at or above its peers and is verified, you can buy with confidence and prioritise it over a younger car with a weaker, unverified battery.
Where ShamAuto comes in
This is exactly where our first-party data helps. Every listing shows its SoH, and as more verified cars come through we build a clearer Irish picture of what is normal for each model and age - the comparison you cannot get from a lab figure or a generic blog. Use the SoH shown on each model landing to benchmark, and lean on the Verified SoH badge so you are comparing measured figures rather than claims.
For how to read the figure yourself, see how to check battery SoH before you buy. For how health and range fit together, start with the battery health and real range pillar.