Thinking of getting a used Mach-E for work… good idea?

I’m considering a used Mustang Mach-E as my daily work car. My commute is about 50 miles one way, and my current vehicle—a 2022 F150 Raptor—is racking up miles fast. Gas is also killing my wallet, and I want to keep the Raptor in good shape.

I’ve seen a lot of used Mach-Es with “buyback” or “lemon buyback” labels on their Carfax reports, which makes me hesitant. The one I’m eyeing has a clean history and is a 2022 model. I’m curious about any issues current owners have had. Are the buybacks a big deal, or is it just something that happened due to parts shortages?

Also, no Teslas for me—I don’t want to give Musk my money.

A lot of cars from that time period have branded titles because of parts shortages during COVID. Manufacturers couldn’t fix them in time, so they got bought back under lemon laws. It’s not necessarily a dealbreaker.

Used Mach-Es can be a great value. I got mine with 32k miles for $31k out the door. It originally stickered for $59k, so someone else took the depreciation hit!

Arin said:
Used Mach-Es can be a great value. I got mine with 32k miles for $31k out the door. It originally stickered for $59k, so someone else took the depreciation hit!

Same here! My car’s value hasn’t dropped much since I bought it, even with 17k more miles on it.

I have a first-gen 2021 with 32k nearly flawless miles. The only thing I don’t love is the suspension—it’s not great on rough roads.

A lot of buybacks happen because people don’t plan properly for owning an EV. For example, many don’t install a Level 2 charger before buying the car. The Level 1 mobile charger that comes with it is way too slow if you’re driving a lot each day.

@Kemper
The mobile charger was torture for me, too. I was driving 80 miles a day, and it just couldn’t keep up. Once I got a Level 2 charger installed, it was a game-changer. I’d say don’t even consider an EV unless you can charge Level 2 at home.

@Kemper
A buyback means the manufacturer purchased the car back for customer satisfaction reasons. It’s different from a car being traded back to a dealer.

@Kemper
A Level 1 charger gives you about 1 kWh per hour—around 30 miles in 10 hours.

Brantley said:
@Kemper
A Level 1 charger gives you about 1 kWh per hour—around 30 miles in 10 hours.

That’s accurate, but if you get home late and leave early, you might not get a full charge. In winter, preheating the car also eats into the range. Just something to keep in mind!

I was about to buy a Tesla but decided against it for similar reasons. I’ve been researching used Mach-Es instead, and so far, I haven’t seen many big issues. The Mach-E community is way more helpful than Tesla forums, too. The only downside I’ve noticed is that some 2021 and 2022 models don’t get as many software updates. Otherwise, they seem well-built.

@Noor
We bought a 2023 AWD standard range last July. It had 6k miles and was about $17k less than sticker price. My guess is the previous owner either wasn’t prepared for charging or sold it after getting the tax credit. Either way, it’s been a fantastic car for us.

@Noor
I chose the Mach-E because it’s the best non-Tesla EV. Ford’s charging network and features like Plug & Charge and preheating the battery are super convenient. Plus, BlueCruise is awesome.

@Noor
Just wait until you find out about Ford’s history with you-know-who…

I’ve had my Mach-E for 2.5 years and 33,000 miles—zero issues. It sounds perfect for your commute. If you get one, I bet you’ll end up selling the Raptor within a year.

The Mach-E would be perfect for your situation. I recommend the extended range if you can swing the extra cost. My electricity rate is about 10 cents per kWh, so a full charge costs me under $9 and gives around 250 miles. If your commute is under 40% of the battery’s range, I say go for it!

I bought a 2021 earlier this year for just over half its original MSRP. It’s been fantastic so far, even after adding 17k miles. Definitely worth considering.

I got a 2022 Select with 12k miles for $26k. Great deal!

If this is your first EV, research real-life range and how things like speed and weather affect it. For example, I have a 2022 standard range, and my commute is 68 miles round-trip. I usually can’t make it without charging. EVs are great, but they’re not perfect for everyone.

@Xian
Is your commute mostly highway? Speeds over 65 mph definitely hurt range. I’d also be nervous about standard range for long commutes, especially if it’s cold or you don’t have Level 2 charging at home.