To find out, we bought two cheap used electric cars and put them through their paces. 

The first is a 2013 Nissan Leaf, which we picked up for just £1,500. It had 50,000 miles on the clock when we picked it up, and it's in really good nick. 

And the we have the rare and quirky Mia C, a French EV from 2013 with sliding doors and a McLaren F1-style central seating position. 

Both cars have a real-world range of around 50-60 miles these days, so neither are likely to be suitable as an only car. However, as a second car for local errands they could be ideal. Especially if you have somewhere to charge them at home. 

The Nissan is a better all-rounder, with more seats, a bigger boot and much better parts availability making it easier to maintain. That said, the Mia C has a certain charm just because it's so weird, and it's one of only five left on UK roads. 

So if you had £3,000 to spend on a runaround, would you consider either of these cars? Or would you buy something else instead? 

[https://www.carwow.co.uk/editorial/choosing-a-car/car-comparisons-side-by-side/2013-nissan-leaf-vs-2013-mia-c-used-cheap-electric-cars](https://www.carwow.co.uk/editorial/choosing-a-car/car-comparisons-side-by-side/2013-nissan-leaf-vs-2013-mia-c-used-cheap-electric-cars)

Can you buy a good electric car for less than £3,000?