REDLINE ALLEYNissan Leaf ZE1 buying guide
2017 to now. A ZE1 Leaf suits a buyer who wants a practical EV with more range than the first car and checks the battery report.
Big jobs
- Traction battery health. Some degradation is normal, and Nissan rates capacity in 12 bars; below 9 bars can make the car eligible for a warranty repair to restore capacity.
Workshop jobs
- Charging cables. The charging cables are expensive to buy separately.
Small jobs
- Rapid charge throttling (early cars). On early second generation cars, software could limit rapid charging to below 20 kW once the pack was hot after an earlier rapid charge that day. The threshold was raised around 2019.
- Brake disc corrosion. Regenerative braking means the brakes see little use, which can let the discs rust and limit braking.
- Parking lock recall. A UK recall covered cars built between 19 July and 22 September 2019 where a poor weld could make the parking lock fail.
- Infotainment and phone app. The infotainment is described as sluggish and the phone app as often not working.
Questions for the seller
- Is it the 40 kWh or 62 kWh e+ battery?
- How many capacity bars does it show, and is there a battery report?
- Has it had the parking lock recall if built in 2019?
- Are all the charging cables included?
Sources
Researched 2026-11-04. General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection.