Battery Certification Now Required in Some Electric Car Listings on mobile.de

Leading German vehicle marketplace mobile.de has implemented a new policy mandating the upload of battery certificates for certain used electric vehicle (EV) listings. Sellers who indicate that a vehicle comes with a battery certificate must now provide the actual document as part of their advertisement. The measure is intended to enhance transparency and trust for buyers considering pre-owned EVs, particularly regarding the condition and health of the vehicle's battery pack--the most valuable and technically sensitive component in electric cars.

Battery certificates provide detailed insights into the current state of an electric vehicle's battery, especially its State of Health (SOH), which quantifies the remaining usable energy capacity as a percentage of the original value. Typical SOH values for used EVs may range from the mid-70s to the high-90s; values claiming 100% are considered unrealistic in used vehicles. The certificate can also reveal if individual battery cells are weakened or defective, which could have a significant impact on performance and longevity.

This new upload requirement applies exclusively to listings where sellers actively advertise the presence of a battery certificate. It is not mandatory for all used EV listings, but those that check the "with battery certificate" box are obligated to provide the documentation. Professional car dealers have been notified of the update, which came into effect on November 1. The policy aims to improve both buyer assurance and seller credibility, helping to facilitate smoother transactions in a growing but still maturing secondhand EV market.

On mobile.de, users can filter their search results by various electric vehicle attributes, including battery range, capacity, and now, the existence of a battery certificate. Data from recent listings indicates that just over 21% of used EVs on the platform are currently advertised with a battery certificate--a proportion that has been steadily rising as awareness of battery health becomes a greater concern among buyers.

Market data shows that while electric vehicles are becoming increasingly common in new registrations--comprising over 18% of new cars in Germany so far this year--they represent a smaller share of the used car market. Only about 3.4% of ownership transfers in the same period involved electric vehicles, reflecting the segment's relatively recent emergence and gradual expansion.

The introduction of battery certificates in the used EV market addresses key buyer concerns about battery degradation and hidden defects. While most used electric vehicles still fall under the original manufacturer's warranty (often up to eight years for the battery), the process of claiming warranty repairs can be complex if a fault is suspected. A current and transparent battery certificate provides reassurance and can make a used EV listing more attractive.

Other vehicle marketplaces, such as autoscout24.de, also allow buyers to filter for battery certificates, but enforcement is less stringent, with certificates sometimes only included as optional images or mentioned in the listing text. As the market continues to mature, industry observers expect that battery certificates will become an increasingly standard part of used EV transactions, mirroring the growing demand for transparency in vehicle condition reports.

Experts recommend that buyers not only consider battery certificates but also ensure a comprehensive inspection of other key vehicle components prior to purchase, such as the charging system, tires, brakes, and any signs of previous damage. The increased availability and verification of battery health data is nonetheless seen as a significant step forward in building trust in the used electric vehicle market.