{"id":1359,"date":"2026-10-22T11:11:08","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T11:11:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/?p=1359"},"modified":"2026-10-22T13:48:49","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T13:48:49","slug":"electric-car-battery-warranty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/en\/state-of-health\/electric-car-battery-warranty\/","title":{"rendered":"Electric car battery warranty: how dealers protect themselves against battery complaints"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px\" class=\"wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__avatar\"><img alt='' src='https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/02eccd49c807e1051c1c85a63d7362656782be28bab43470f1bb081d6cd73154?s=96&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g' srcset='https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/02eccd49c807e1051c1c85a63d7362656782be28bab43470f1bb081d6cd73154?s=192&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-96 photo' height='96' width='96' \/><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/en\/author\/patrick-schroeder\/\" target=\"_self\">Patrick Schr\u00f6der<\/a><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__bio\">Patrick Schr\u00f6der has nearly 20 years of hands-on experience in the automotive industry \u2013 from vehicle trading to international remarketing. Today, his main focus is on how new technologies can make the automotive trade more efficient, more transparent and fit for the future.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A customer buys a used electric car, drives through the first winter and gets in touch: the range is much lower than expected, and he wants to withdraw from the purchase. For dealers, this is the core question of the <strong>electric car battery warranty<\/strong>: is declining battery capacity a material defect \u2013 and who has to prove what in a dispute? A recent ruling by the Higher Regional Court (OLG) of Celle in Germany brings more clarity here. But it also shows where such cases are decided: on the documented battery condition at the time of handover. This article puts the legal situation into context for car dealerships and used car dealers and shows how you can document the handover in a traceable way.    <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key points at a glance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list ada-highlight-box\">\n<li>According to a recent ruling by the OLG Celle, age-related capacity loss is not a material defect as long as it corresponds to the state of the art.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If a defect appears within 12 months of handover in a sale to a consumer, it is presumed to have existed at handover \u2013 in case of doubt, the dealer must then prove otherwise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A dated SoH value from the day of handover is the most important evidence for this; clear contracts and careful range information complement it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Note: This article is for general information only and does not replace legal advice. For drafting your purchase contracts and in a specific dispute, please consult a lawyer. Legal status (German law): October 2026.  <\/em><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Elektroauto-Uebergabe-mit-Batteriestatus-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"Electric car battery warranty: documenting the battery condition at vehicle handover at the dealership\" class=\"wp-image-971\" srcset=\"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Elektroauto-Uebergabe-mit-Batteriestatus-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Elektroauto-Uebergabe-mit-Batteriestatus-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Elektroauto-Uebergabe-mit-Batteriestatus-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Elektroauto-Uebergabe-mit-Batteriestatus-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Elektroauto-Uebergabe-mit-Batteriestatus-150x84.webp 150w, https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Elektroauto-Uebergabe-mit-Batteriestatus.webp 1672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#gewaehrleistung-beim-elektroauto-akku-was-haendler-schulden\">Electric car battery warranty: what dealers owe<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#gewaehrleistung-herstellergarantie-haendlergarantie-drei-ver\">Statutory warranty, manufacturer&#8217;s guarantee, dealer guarantee \u2013 three different things<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#ist-kapazitaetsverlust-ein-sachmangel-was-das-olg-celle-ents\">Is capacity loss a material defect? What the OLG Celle decided<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#beweislastumkehr-warum-der-soh-bei-uebergabe-entscheidet\">Reversal of the burden of proof: why the SoH at handover is decisive<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#verbraucher-oder-gewerbekunde-was-sich-aendert\">Consumer or business customer: what changes<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#checkliste-uebergabe-eines-e-gebrauchtwagens-dokumentieren\">Checklist: documenting the handover of a used electric car<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#fazit\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"gewaehrleistung-beim-elektroauto-akku-was-haendler-schulden\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Electric car battery warranty: what dealers owe<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are no special rules for the traction battery. It is part of the vehicle and is therefore subject to statutory <strong>liability for material defects<\/strong> \u2013 colloquially, the warranty. What matters is the condition at the time of handover, legally the <strong>transfer of risk<\/strong>. If there is a material defect at that point, the buyer can assert the rights under <a href=\"https:\/\/dejure.org\/gesetze\/BGB\/437.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 437 of the German Civil Code (BGB)<\/a>: first subsequent performance, and under further conditions withdrawal, price reduction or damages.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As with all movable goods, the claims become time-barred <strong>2 years after delivery<\/strong> (<a href=\"https:\/\/dejure.org\/gesetze\/BGB\/438.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 438 (1) no. 3, (2) BGB<\/a>). If a dealer sells a used car to a consumer, he may shorten this period to <strong>1 year<\/strong> \u2013 but only under two conditions, both of which must be met (<a href=\"https:\/\/dejure.org\/gesetze\/BGB\/476.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 476 (2) BGB<\/a>): <\/p>\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The buyer was informed of the shortening <strong>specifically before making his contractual declaration<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The shortening was agreed in the contract <strong>expressly and separately<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A clause that merely appears in the general terms and conditions does not meet these requirements according to the wording of the law. A complete exclusion of the warranty is invalid towards consumers (<a href=\"https:\/\/dejure.org\/gesetze\/BGB\/476.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 476 (1) BGB<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"gewaehrleistung-herstellergarantie-haendlergarantie-drei-ver\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Statutory warranty, manufacturer&#8217;s guarantee, dealer guarantee \u2013 three different things<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These terms are often mixed up in sales conversations. For the dealer&#8217;s liability, however, the distinction is crucial: <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><\/th><th>Statutory warranty<\/th><th>Manufacturer&#8217;s battery guarantee<\/th><th>Voluntary dealer guarantee<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Basis<\/td><td>Law (<a href=\"https:\/\/dejure.org\/gesetze\/BGB\/434.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7\u00a7 434 et seq. BGB<\/a>)<\/td><td>Manufacturer&#8217;s guarantee terms<\/td><td>Dealer&#8217;s guarantee declaration (<a href=\"https:\/\/dejure.org\/gesetze\/BGB\/443.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 443 BGB<\/a>)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Who is liable?<\/td><td>Seller<\/td><td>Manufacturer<\/td><td>Dealer or guarantor<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>What is covered?<\/td><td>Defects present at handover<\/td><td>Falling below a promised residual capacity within the term<\/td><td>What the guarantee terms specify<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Typical scope<\/td><td>2 years; for used cars sold to consumers, can be shortened to 1 year<\/td><td>Often cited: at least 70 % battery health (State of Health, SoH) within 8 years or 160,000 km (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.datgroup.com\/ev-residual-value\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">example according to DAT<\/a>)<\/td><td>Freely definable<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The manufacturer&#8217;s guarantee complements the dealer&#8217;s warranty but does not replace it. Whether and under what conditions it passes to subsequent owners is governed by the respective guarantee terms \u2013 you should check these for each vehicle. <\/p>\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The manufacturer&#8217;s battery guarantee does not replace the dealer&#8217;s statutory warranty. Both exist side by side \u2013 with different requirements and different parties liable. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For leased vehicles, incidentally, the question of battery risk arises elsewhere: there, the leasing contract governs who bears a loss in value. More on this in the article on <a href=\"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/en\/state-of-health\/electric-car-lease-returns-battery\/\">electric car lease returns<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<h2 id=\"ist-kapazitaetsverlust-ein-sachmangel-was-das-olg-celle-ents\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is capacity loss a material defect? What the OLG Celle decided <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Higher Regional Court of Celle dealt with exactly this question (<a href=\"https:\/\/dejure.org\/2026,20549\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ruling of 2 July 2026, ref. 7 U 85\/24<\/a>). A buyer had purchased a used small electric car from an authorised dealer and later complained of a significantly lower range than stated by the manufacturer. She wanted to withdraw from the purchase contract. The court found no material defect (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kfz-betrieb.vogel.de\/weniger-reichweite-als-gedacht-ist-kein-sachmangel-a-e2be54f83215dfc8a801098b17cf0b36\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report in kfz-betrieb<\/a>).   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reasoning contains three points that are relevant for dealers:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>State of the art as the benchmark:<\/strong> A vehicle that corresponds to the state of the art of comparable vehicles is not defective merely because this state falls short of the buyer&#8217;s expectations. Accordingly, age-related capacity loss to the usual extent is not a defect within the meaning of <a href=\"https:\/\/dejure.org\/gesetze\/BGB\/434.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 434 (3) BGB<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cross-manufacturer comparison:<\/strong> The court does not measure what is \u201cusual\u201d only against the same model, but against comparable vehicles from different manufacturers \u2013 series defects are disregarded.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strict requirements for commitments:<\/strong> The court only assumes a binding agreement on range in clear cases. An alleged verbal range commitment could not be proven in the proceedings. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is revealing what the court based its argument on: the SoH value. According to the expert report, the battery condition of the vehicle, which was around 4.5 years old, was 93.5 % \u2013 a loss just below average. Based on a winter range of 235 km for comparable new vehicles, this suggested a range of around 220 km, which the vehicle also achieved on a test drive at around 0 \u00b0C (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.otto-schmidt.de\/news\/zivil-und-zivilverfahrensrecht\/kein-sachmangel-eines-elektrofahrzeugs-bei-alterungsbedingter-abnahme-der-batteriekapazitat-2026-08-03.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ruling report at Otto Schmidt, source: Justiz Niedersachsen<\/a>). The SoH was thus the benchmark for deciding whether the range is \u201cnormal\u201d.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ruling is not a carte blanche. It is a decision by a higher regional court in an individual case. And the law names constellations in which capacity loss can indeed be a defect: if the battery is significantly below what is usual for comparable age and comparable use; if a specific range or capacity was contractually agreed; or if public statements \u2013 for example in advertising or a listing \u2013 have raised legitimate expectations (<a href=\"https:\/\/dejure.org\/gesetze\/BGB\/434.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 434 (3) sentence 1 no. 2 BGB<\/a>). Range information in listings and in sales conversations therefore deserves particular care. How SoH values can be classified technically is shown in the article on <a href=\"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/en\/state-of-health\/ev-battery-remaining-capacity\/\">valuing the remaining capacity of electric car batteries<\/a>.    <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A first-instance ruling by the Regional Court (LG) of Wuppertal shows that such cases can also turn out differently (<a href=\"https:\/\/nrwe.justiz.nrw.de\/lgs\/wuppertal\/lg_wuppertal\/j2025\/10_O_282_23_Urteil_20251218.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">18 Dec 2025, ref. 10 O 282\/23<\/a>): according to an expert report on the chassis dynamometer, an electric car bought new only achieved 282 km instead of the stated WLTP range of 332 to 341 km. The court applied the case law of the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) on excess fuel consumption in combustion vehicles, according to which deviations of 10 % or more are significant, to the range and allowed the withdrawal. The difference to Celle: there, it was about the normal ageing of a used car; here, about a significant deviation from the manufacturer&#8217;s specification for a new vehicle.  <\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<h2 id=\"beweislastumkehr-warum-der-soh-bei-uebergabe-entscheidet\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reversal of the burden of proof: why the SoH at handover is decisive<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a dealer sells to a consumer, a statutory presumption helps the buyer in the first 12 months (<a href=\"https:\/\/dejure.org\/gesetze\/BGB\/477.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 477 (1) BGB<\/a>). However, it only concerns the question of <em>when<\/em> a defect arose \u2013 not <em>whether<\/em> one exists at all. The buyer must first show a non-conforming condition. Normal, age-appropriate ageing as in the OLG Celle case is not such a condition; the presumption then does not apply at all.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If, on the other hand, a non-conforming condition appears within 12 months \u2013 for example an SoH significantly below what is usual for age and mileage \u2013 the dealer must, in case of doubt, prove that it did not yet exist at handover. This <strong>reversal of the burden of proof<\/strong> only does not apply if it is \u201cincompatible with the nature of the goods or the nature of the lack of conformity\u201d. Whether this exception applies to the ageing of a battery cannot be answered across the board.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the 12 months have expired, the burden of proof lies with the buyer again: he must then prove that the defect already existed at handover. If you have effectively shortened the limitation period to 1 year, the presumption and the limitation period expire largely at the same time. A special rule applies to consumers: if a defect appears within the limitation period, the limitation period does not end before 4 months after it first appeared (<a href=\"https:\/\/dejure.org\/gesetze\/BGB\/475e.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 475e (3) BGB<\/a>). A defect that appears shortly before the end of the period can therefore still be asserted after 12 months.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In practice, this means: the most reliable evidence is a measured value from the day of handover. It is the fixed starting point against which later changes can be measured. Without it, the condition at handover can only be reconstructed approximately in a dispute.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For this step, autoDATAexperts has developed a method with SoH OTA that retrieves the battery condition via VIN query directly from the vehicle manufacturer&#8217;s data \u2013 without a plug and without a workshop appointment. The value can be included with the date in the handover documentation. Currently supported are many models from Tesla, BMW and Mazda as well as selected electric models from the Volkswagen Group; further manufacturers and models are being added continuously. Details on the process can be found in the article <a href=\"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/en\/over-the-air\/check-soh-via-vin\/\">Check SoH via VIN<\/a>. How much weight a measured value carries in a dispute is assessed by the court and experts in each individual case.    <\/p>\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a defect appears in the first 12 months after handover, it is presumed to have existed at the time of sale. A dated SoH value from the day of handover is the starting point against which later changes can be measured. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<h2 id=\"verbraucher-oder-gewerbekunde-was-sich-aendert\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Consumer or business customer: what changes<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not every buyer is a consumer. Fleets, rental companies and fellow dealers usually buy as entrepreneurs. The purpose of the purchase is decisive (<a href=\"https:\/\/dejure.org\/gesetze\/BGB\/13.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 13<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/dejure.org\/gesetze\/BGB\/14.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 14 BGB<\/a>). The protective provisions on the sale of consumer goods only apply when a consumer buys from an entrepreneur (<a href=\"https:\/\/dejure.org\/gesetze\/BGB\/474.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 474 BGB<\/a>).   <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><\/th><th>Sale to consumers<\/th><th>Sale to businesses (e.g. fleet, rental company, dealer)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Legal framework<\/td><td>Sale of consumer goods with protective provisions (\u00a7\u00a7 474 et seq. BGB)<\/td><td>General sales law; for mutual commercial sales also the German Commercial Code (HGB)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Exclusion of warranty<\/td><td>Invalid (\u00a7 476 (1) BGB)<\/td><td>Generally definable by contract; limits include fraudulent intent or an assumed guarantee (<a href=\"https:\/\/dejure.org\/gesetze\/BGB\/444.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 444 BGB<\/a>) and general terms and conditions (<a href=\"https:\/\/dejure.org\/gesetze\/BGB\/307.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7\u00a7 307 et seq. BGB<\/a>)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Shortening of the limitation period<\/td><td>For used cars to 1 year, only with a separate notice and a separate agreement (\u00a7 476 (2) BGB)<\/td><td>Definable by contract, observe statutory limits<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Reversal of the burden of proof<\/td><td>Yes, 12 months from the transfer of risk (\u00a7 477 BGB)<\/td><td>No \u2013 the buyer must prove the defect<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Duty to inspect and give notice of defects<\/td><td>None<\/td><td>For mutual commercial sales: inspect the goods without delay and report defects without delay (<a href=\"https:\/\/dejure.org\/gesetze\/HGB\/377.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 377 HGB<\/a>)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Zwei-Kundenwege-zum-gemeinsamen-Elektroauto-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"Electric car battery warranty: differences between sales to consumers and to business customers\" class=\"wp-image-972\" srcset=\"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Zwei-Kundenwege-zum-gemeinsamen-Elektroauto-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Zwei-Kundenwege-zum-gemeinsamen-Elektroauto-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Zwei-Kundenwege-zum-gemeinsamen-Elektroauto-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Zwei-Kundenwege-zum-gemeinsamen-Elektroauto-150x100.webp 150w, https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Zwei-Kundenwege-zum-gemeinsamen-Elektroauto.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For sales to business customers, this means more room for manoeuvre, but also its own pitfalls. Have your contractual terms legally reviewed for both customer groups \u2013 in particular clauses on the limitation of liability. <\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<h2 id=\"checkliste-uebergabe-eines-e-gebrauchtwagens-dokumentieren\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Checklist: documenting the handover of a used electric car<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The following points summarise what can be derived from the law and case law for practice:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list ada-highlight-box\">\n<li><strong>Record the SoH value:<\/strong> Include the value with date, mileage and source of the measurement in the handover protocol or purchase contract.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Document the manufacturer&#8217;s guarantee:<\/strong> Record the remaining term and conditions of the battery guarantee and hand them over to the buyer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>State the range properly:<\/strong> Only give range values with a reference (e.g. \u201cstandard range of the new vehicle according to the manufacturer\u201d) and make no verbal range commitments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Do not conceal known weaknesses:<\/strong> Anyone who fraudulently conceals a defect known to them can rely neither on an exclusion nor on a limitation of liability (<a href=\"https:\/\/dejure.org\/gesetze\/BGB\/444.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 444 BGB<\/a>); in addition, the regular limitation period then applies instead of the one under sales law (<a href=\"https:\/\/dejure.org\/gesetze\/BGB\/438.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a7 438 (3) BGB<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Disclose deviations:<\/strong> If the SoH is below what is usual for age and mileage, specifically inform the buyer of this before concluding the contract and agree on the deviation expressly and separately in the contract (\u00a7 476 (1) sentence 2 BGB).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Shorten the period in the correct form:<\/strong> When shortening to 1 year, give a separate notice before concluding the contract and make a separate agreement (\u00a7 476 (2) BGB).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Clarify the customer group:<\/strong> For business customers, document their status as entrepreneurs and have the contractual terms legally reviewed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How battery proof can also be used in the sales process is described in the article on the <a href=\"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/en\/state-of-health\/ev-battery-certificate\/\">battery certificate for electric cars<\/a>. You can find the basics of the SoH value itself in the article <a href=\"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/en\/state-of-health\/soh-battery-explained\/\">Understanding battery SoH<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<h2 id=\"fazit\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The warranty for the electric car battery follows general sales law \u2013 with noticeable consequences for dealers. According to the OLG Celle ruling, age-related capacity loss within the state of the art is not a material defect. Towards consumers, however, the reversal of the burden of proof applies in the first 12 months as soon as a defect appears. Those who document the battery condition on the day of handover, word range information carefully and disclose deviations create a traceable basis in the event of a complaint. We would be happy to discuss in a personal conversation how an SoH query can be integrated into your handover processes.    <\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);min-height:436px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#ffffff\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-2d5f351e wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center is-image-fill-element bild-rund has-ast-global-color-1-background-color has-background\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:20px;border-top-right-radius:20px;border-bottom-left-radius:20px;border-bottom-right-radius:20px;margin-right:0;margin-left:0\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_4764-scaled-1-768x1024.webp\" alt=\"Patrick Schr\u00f6der, autoDATAexperts\" class=\"wp-image-995 size-full\" style=\"object-position:50% 50%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_4764-scaled-1-768x1024.webp 768w, https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_4764-scaled-1-225x300.webp 225w, https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_4764-scaled-1-1152x1536.webp 1152w, https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_4764-scaled-1-1536x2048.webp 1536w, https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_4764-scaled-1-640x853.webp 640w, https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_4764-scaled-1-150x200.webp 150w, https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/IMG_4764-scaled-1.webp 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color\" style=\"color:#000000;font-size:32px\"><strong>Trust through data transparency<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#000000\">\u201cWe clarify in advance how SoH data can be integrated into your purchasing and valuation processes. Via a VIN query, you receive the battery health directly from the manufacturer \u2013 no plug, no workshop visit.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons has-custom-font-size has-medium-font-size is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-22503977 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:40px;border-top-right-radius:40px;border-bottom-left-radius:40px;border-bottom-right-radius:40px;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-right:0%;padding-left:0%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/autodataexperts.de\/kennenlerntermin\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:9px;border-top-right-radius:9px;border-bottom-left-radius:9px;border-bottom-right-radius:9px;padding-top:16px;padding-right:32px;padding-bottom:16px;padding-left:32px;font-size:16px\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Request a consultation<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<h2 id=\"faq\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ<\/h2>\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1792000000000\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is declining battery capacity in a used electric car a material defect?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Not automatically. According to a ruling by the OLG Celle of 2 July 2026 (ref. 7 U 85\/24), age-related capacity loss is not a material defect if it corresponds to the state of the art of comparable vehicles. It may be different if the capacity is significantly below the usual level, a specific range was agreed or advertising statements raised legitimate expectations. The individual case is always decisive.   <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1792000000001\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">How long is a dealer liable for the battery of a used electric car?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The warranty is generally 2 years from delivery (\u00a7 438 BGB). When selling a used car to a consumer, it can be shortened to 1 year if the buyer was specifically informed before concluding the contract and the shortening is expressly and separately agreed in the contract (\u00a7 476 (2) BGB). If a defect appears within the period, the claim against consumers does not become time-barred before 4 months after it first appeared (\u00a7 475e (3) BGB). A manufacturer&#8217;s battery guarantee exists independently of this under its own terms.   <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1792000000002\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What does the reversal of the burden of proof mean when selling a used electric car?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The reversal of the burden of proof applies to sales to consumers. If a non-conforming condition appears within 12 months of handover, it is presumed to have existed at handover (\u00a7 477 BGB); in case of doubt, the dealer must then prove otherwise. Normal, age-appropriate ageing of the battery is not such a condition. After the 12 months, the buyer must prove that the defect already existed at handover. The presumption does not apply to business customers.    <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1792000000003\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Does the warranty also apply to sales to business customers?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, but the consumer protection provisions do not apply. Limitations of liability can generally be agreed by contract with entrepreneurs, but are subject to statutory limits, for example in the case of fraudulent intent or an assumed guarantee (\u00a7 444 BGB) and general terms and conditions. In mutual commercial sales, the buyer must also inspect the goods without delay and report defects without delay (\u00a7 377 HGB). The specific contract design should be legally reviewed.   <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A customer buys a used electric car, drives through the first winter and gets in touch: the range is much lower than expected, and he wants to withdraw from the purchase. For dealers, this is the core question of the electric car battery warranty: is declining battery capacity a material defect \u2013 and who has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1360,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1359","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-state-of-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1359","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1359"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1359\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1442,"href":"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1359\/revisions\/1442"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1359"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1359"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/over-the-air.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1359"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}