Battery health remains a key consideration for consumers evaluating pre-owned luxury electric vehicles (EVs). However, the availability of replacement parts is emerging as another major concern for buyers and prospective owners.
According to customer interactions and enquiry trends observed by premium automotive dealership Autobest Emperio, around 85–90% of luxury EV buyers and prospective buyers raise concerns about the availability of replacement parts.
The finding highlights an emerging challenge in the pre-owned luxury EV market, where buyers are increasingly evaluating not only battery condition and vehicle performance but also the accessibility of parts and the potential cost and convenience of long-term ownership.
As the luxury EV market expands, concerns around after-sales support, replacement parts and maintenance infrastructure could play an increasingly important role in purchasing decisions.
● 85–90% of luxury EV buyers and enquirers raise concerns about the availability of replacement parts.
● 100% of prospective pre-owned luxury EV buyers ask about battery health before making a purchase decision.
● 4–12 weeks can be the expected waiting period for major EV-specific components such as inverters, modules and chargers.
● 2–3 weeks is the typical waiting period observed for some minor trim and non-critical replacement parts.
● Battery health ranks as the biggest dealbreaker, with buyers particularly concerned about degradation and potential replacement costs after warranty expiry.
● Depreciation is a major concern, as buyers remain cautious about the future resale value of luxury EVs amid rapid advances in EV technology.
● Authorised service dependence is another key concern, with buyers questioning the availability of independent technicians capable of handling high-voltage EV systems.
● Warranty coverage strongly influences purchase confidence, particularly remaining battery and drivetrain coverage.
● Replacement-part availability can influence purchase decisions, particularly when buyers anticipate extended vehicle downtime.
● The concerns typically become more prominent after the test drive, when buyers shift their attention from driving experience to long-term ownership costs.
Battery health continues to be the first question for most prospective buyers. Autobest Emperio says customers routinely ask about the battery’s current State of Health (SoH), remaining warranty, expected lifespan, previous fast-charging usage and potential replacement cost.
However, the concern increasingly extends to components beyond the battery pack. Electric motors, high-voltage wiring harnesses, onboard chargers, battery-management systems, inverters and thermal-management components are among the areas buyers are asking about. Air suspension and ADAS-related components also attract attention because of their potentially high replacement costs.
The concern is partly linked to the relatively limited independent aftermarket ecosystem for luxury EVs. While luxury ICE vehicles have established independent workshops and parallel parts networks in markets such as Delhi and Mumbai, specialised EV components often require OEM-linked sourcing and diagnostics.
According to Autobest Emperio’s experience, minor parts can take around two to three weeks to source, while major EV-specific electrical components can take four to 12 weeks, depending on availability and sourcing requirements. For buyers spending ₹1 crore or more on a pre-owned luxury EV, the prospect of extended downtime can become an important part of the purchase calculation.
“Battery health remains the biggest concern, but buyers are increasingly asking what happens if something else goes wrong,” said Avneet Singh Kohli (Sunny), Founder, Autobest Emperio. “They want to know how quickly a part can be sourced, who can diagnose the vehicle and what their options are once the warranty expires. For a high-value pre-owned EV, confidence in the ownership ecosystem is becoming as important as confidence in the vehicle itself.”
Interestingly, these concerns tend to surface more strongly after the test drive. The performance, instant torque, silent cabin and technology of luxury EVs often make a strong first impression. Once the discussion moves towards pricing and ownership, however, buyers start evaluating battery condition, warranty coverage, repair costs and parts availability.
Depreciation adds another layer to the decision. The steep initial depreciation of luxury EVs creates an attractive entry point for pre-owned buyers, but rapid advances in battery technology and new EV launches also raise concerns about future resale value.
Warranty coverage can therefore become a decisive factor. Buyers want clarity on remaining battery and drivetrain warranty, battery condition and coverage for major EV components. An active OEM warranty provides an additional layer of confidence against potentially high unexpected repair bills.
Despite these concerns, luxury EVs continue to attract buyers because of their technology, performance, lower running costs and comparatively attractive pre-owned pricing. For some Delhi-NCR buyers, the regulatory advantage of EV ownership also adds to the appeal.
As more luxury EVs enter India’s pre-owned market, the buying conversation is likely to shift from “How much does this car cost?” to “What will it cost and take to own it?” Battery health, replacement-parts availability, warranty and after-sales support are consequently becoming important indicators of overall ownership confidence.
