Used hybrid cars for sale

A hybrid car is powered by both a fuel-driven engine and an electric motor mated to a battery pack. This is intended to give you the best of both worlds – silent, emissions-free electric running around town, as well as long-distance ability thanks to the conventional engine. Hybrids usually come in three main types – mild hybrids, full hybrids and plug-in hybrids.

Mild hybrids use a beefed-up combined starter motor and alternator to recapture energy when slowing down to reduce strain on the engine.

Full hybrids are able to move the vehicle on electric power alone for short distances at slow speeds. Like mild hybrids, they are recharged solely by capturing energy when slowing down.

Plug-in hybrids have the largest motors and batteries and can usually power the vehicle on electric power alone for reasonably long distances as relatively high speeds. They can be recharged from an EV charging point as well as from energy captured while slowing down.

Hybrid cars aren't, by definition, any more or less reliable than non-hybrid cars. It's more useful to consider each carmaker and model's specific reputation for reliability.

Brands such as Toyota, Honda and Hyundai all offer a wide selection of hybrid models, and each enjoys a strong reputation for reliability.

In practice, there's little difference between buying a used hybrid car compared with buying a used non-hybrid. Long-term reliability is much more likely to be affected by maintaining regular service intervals and avoiding an aggressive driving style than by the car's fuel or engine type.

Battery packs can and do degrade over time but this process can take many years, often longer than the vehicle's useful lifespan. Again, avoiding a harsh driving style and generally being gentle with the controls is a good way to reduce strain on your car's individual components.

Hybrid cars are great for drivers who mainly travel in cities and urban areas. In slow-moving and stop-start traffic, you can rely solely on the car's electric power to trundle you along, using no fuel in the process.

Of course, hybrids also work perfectly fine in rural areas and on long motorway journeys, but might not see quite as large of an economy boost compared to a non-hybrid car as they might in the city.

Compared with non-hybrid, fuel-powered cars:

• Hybrids are better for the environment because they emit fewer harmful emissions
• Hybrids have lower fuel costs thanks to the electric motor taking the strain of stop-start traffic

Compared with fully electric cars:

• Hybrids can simply be refuelled on long journeys, avoiding the need to track down a working EV charger

Compared with non-hybrid, fuel powered cars:

• Hybrids tend to cost a little more up front thanks to the extra technology under the bonnet
• Hybrids may see little economy benefit on long motorway journeys where the electric motor isn't really being used

Compared with fully electric cars:

• Hybrids may see little economy benefit on long motorway journeys where the electric motor isn't really being used