Stuck with a dead Smart EV need a battery replacement solution

[MayaSiren]

Hey all,

I’m really stuck here and hoping someone has a lead. My 2014 Smart ForTwo Electric (20,000 km) just got diagnosed with a dead battery. MINI in Toronto quoted me $11,000 for a new battery and $1,200 for the install, way more than I paid for the car!

I’ve found used batteries for around $1,000 locally and across the U.S., but the MINI dealership won’t install anything that isn’t OEM, and I can’t seem to find an independent mechanic willing to do the job either. One even backed out after claiming to be an expert. If anyone knows a shop or a mechanic around Toronto who can handle this, please let me know.

 

[pinocchio_]

It's really hard to know if a used EV battery is any good. You can't really test them properly at most junkyards.

Even if you could check the voltage, it doesn't really tell you the whole story. Those batteries are complicated, and you need special tools to really know if they're any good.