Used Vauxhall Ampera 2012-2015 review
The Ampera is a perfectly usable electric car whose range-extender tech frees it from the usual anxieties
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What's the used Vauxhall Ampera like?
Ownership cost
Our recommendations
Alternatives
Reliability
Stuart Milne
Updated: 8 January 2018
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What's the used Vauxhall Ampera like?
Opinions on future methods of propulsion for the private car are much divided, but undoubtedly one of the better and so far more overlooked ideas is that of the range-extender electric vehicle. Here, an on-board engine is used to charge up the electric motor that primarily drives the car’s wheels. The problems of range anxiety that beset a normal pure electric car are thereby nullified by always having an engine available to top up the battery charge if needed.
From this premise was born the Vauxhall Ampera, and its near-identical sibling the Chevrolet Volt, in 2012. Both cars were four-seat hatchbacks powered by lithium-ion batteries that could be recharged by plugging into the mains, or on the go by the aforementioned on-board 1.4-litre petrol engine. It won the European Car of the Year Award in 2012.
Overview
The Ampera is a perfectly usable electric car whose range-extender tech frees it from the usual anxieties
Pros
- Short-range fuel efficiency
- Silent running in electric-only mode
- Everyday usability
Cons
- Fidgety ride
- Numb steering
- Feels heavy
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Vauxhall claimed the Ampera could travel up to 40 miles on electric power alone, before the engine’s power was needed, although in our experience this tends to be more realistically around 20-30 miles. It makes for swift and hushed progress, and the smooth power of the electric motor does a good job of disguising some of the car’s predictable weight. On motorways the engine kicks in to join the electric motor, but it’s still a very refined place to be. It’s a reasonably enjoyable car to drive, too, with quick responses, pleasant steering and secure handling. The driving position is spot-on and the interior, especially the dashboard, is eye-catching and futuristic.
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Alas its high purchase price might have put many potential purchasers off, and the Ampera was eventually dropped in 2015. Now, though, it appears to be rather an attractive used car proposition. After all you’re getting a lot of really quite good car and a lot of modern tech, without any of the usual electric car constraints over how far you can drive the thing.
Tips & Advice
Make sure you’re insured for the test drive
Short-term car insurance – also called test-drive insurance – will ensure you’re legal when you’re shopping for your next car
Ownership cost
What used Vauxhall Ampera will I get for my budget?
High mileage 2013 Amperas start at around £10,000, at the time of writing. It’ll be better to up that to between £11,000 and £13,000 for one with an average mileage and a full service history. Top price currently for a later 2014 Ampera is around £14,000.
How much does cost to run a Vauxhall Ampera?
Although its on-paper average claimed fuel consumption figure looks terrific – 235.4mpg – you are unlikely to achieve anywhere near this figure in the real world, especially if your journeys are anything other than short hops and you don’t have access to electric charging points. Its maximum electric-only range from a full charge is usually around 20-30 miles, in our experience, after which you’ll be using the petrol motor. We have seen figures in the region of 40-60mpg in our hands, in mixed use, which is still pretty good for a large and heavy-ish car in this class. You can charge the Ampera fully in six hours using a 13A socket.
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Tips & Advice
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Reduce your car finance bills
Refinancing your car effectively means taking out one loan to pay off another, which could help reduce your monthly payments, or reduce your finance term
What is hire purchase?
Hire purchase allows you to make monthly payments to buy your next car – although these will be higher than with a PCP
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Our recommendations
Which used Vauxhall Ampera should I buy?
There is only the one powertrain option but there are several different levels of trim. The two major ones are Electron and Positiv, and both variants are well equipped. Positiv Amperas come with a DAB radio, USB connectivity, climate control, automatic lights, heated leather seats and cruise control. The Electron models add to the Positiv's comprehensive kit list with sat-nav, a DVD player, a 30Gb media system and a Bose sound system. Towards the end of the Ampera’s life an Earth top-spec edition was added.
Our favourite Vauxhall Ampera: Electron 5dr auto
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Alternatives
What alternatives should I consider to a used Vauxhall Ampera?
The only car of reasonable price and availability that offers similar technology is the BMW i3, which comes with the option to be either a fully electric car or a range extender. It can offer a realistic range of around 124 miles in electric-only mode, while the range-extender version has a two-cylinder petrol engine that stops the batteries from running flat. In theory, the range extender will keep going as long as you keep refilling the (tiny) fuel tank – but since it adds only around another 80 miles of range, you'll be making frequent stops at petrol stations. But it handles well, looks great inside and out, and your bills should still be low.
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A roughly equivalent, much more conventional car might be something such as the BMW 330e, which is a plug-in hybrid version of the popular compact executive saloon. This comes with some outstanding on-paper fuel consumption claimed figures, but, like a lot of plug-ins, in reality its results are much more ordinary. It can run on electric-only power for a limited range of roughly 25 miles before the conventional 2.0-litre petrol engine joins in.
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Vauxhall Ampera owner reviews
Sort by: Most Recent Star rating
Simon
Vauxhall Ampera 1.4 hybrid hatchback
Likes: Value, Servicing
Dislikes: Running costs
Oct 6, 2025 8:05 PM
When it drives it is excellent but my recent experience with vauxhall has put me off their brand entirely My car will not start so i got it towed to a vauxhall garage who did basic diagnostics then stopped as they only work on more mordern cars - vauxhall booked me in at another dealer but the car was turned away on delivery as they 'dont work on electric cars' Most garages will not touch it as vauxhall have locked the codes right down and charge a fortune to read them so it is not cost effective Complaints to vauxhall have got me nowhere; their attitude is it is out of warranty...
How reliable is the Vauxhall Ampera ?
Vauxhall Ampera
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About the writer
Name: Stuart Milne
Title: Digital editor
Follow Stuart Milne on
Stuart has been a motoring journalist for more than 25 years, writing and editing for a wide range of consumer titles. Today, Stuart is responsible for the smooth running of whatcar.com and all of its related social and digital channels. And he’s the man responsible for making sure you're able to find What Car?’s industry-leading content whenever you search for it.
News and advice
News
Vauxhall Ampera price cut as GM backs range-extenders
* Vauxhall Ampera price cut by £3500
* Now starts at £28,750
* Range-extender tech to continue in GM range
Thu Jul 12 2018
News
Our cars: Vauxhall Ampera farewell
* Vauxhall Ampera Electron departs
* Run by Ed Keohane
* Covered 15,280 miles at 46.3mpg
Fri Apr 26 2013
News
2012 Vauxhall Ampera review
* Right-hand-drive range-extender driven
* 235mpg; 27g/km CO2
* Priced from 32,250 (inc. 5000 Gov grant)
Fri Mar 23 2012
News
Vauxhall Ampera: prices and specs
* Vauxhall Ampera to cost from 29,995
* Three trims; cars available to order now
* 23 dealers announced
Tue Jan 10 2012
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