What to look for with 2020 Taycan?

Hi everyone, I’m picking up a 2020 Taycan performance 79.2kWh. I’ve seen and driven the car and will be collecting it later this week. I’d like to know if there’s anything specific I should be wary of. Unfortunately, the car comes with no service history as the seller is an insolvency practitioner with limited information on the vehicle. Despite getting it at a very low price, I’m prepared for potential costly maintenance since it’s a Porsche, not a Micra. I’d appreciate tips on what might commonly go wrong with this model, as I want to ensure it’s safe for my girlfriend. The car has 110k miles, and I plan to service it immediately. Are there specific components like the timing belt in petrol cars that need replacing in an EV? Also, the tires need replacing—what tires do you recommend for a sporty vehicle like this? Thanks for your help!

Something tells me the price is not rock bottom.

Ameliascarlet said:
Something tells me the price is not rock bottom.

£27k… seemed fair to me for what it was, although as you might guess, I’m quite new to this.

Abi said:

Ameliascarlet said:
Something tells me the price is not rock bottom.

£27k… seemed fair to me for what it was, although as you might guess, I’m quite new to this.

how…

@Tyler
It’s being sold by an insolvency practitioner, a friend of mine, after their company dissolved. They’re not car dealers and want to offload the car quickly. It’s a win-win despite the car’s condition—it has four flat tires and needs to be towed. I managed to test drive it after some quick fixes and it drives well, but it’s a Porsche, so that’s to be expected.

@Abi
If I could find a Taycan for £30k in California, I’d grab it instantly. I saw one going for £40k a while back but nothing since. Prices usually start around £48k/£50k.

Just don’t. Walk away.

Cy said:
110k miles? That’s going to be tough to resell, even if everything checks out.

Not planning to sell anytime soon, and if I did, my girlfriend might have something to say about it!

Honestly, Micras are tanks. They just last forever. Bad comparison. I have a Taycan 4s performance plus and a 2000 Nissan Micra with 320,000 kms, and it’s always a joy to open my garage.

I recommend taking it to a local Porsche dealership to get a full rundown. There have been a few recalls you might want to check out.

Dane said:
I recommend taking it to a local Porsche dealership to get a full rundown. There have been a few recalls you might want to check out.

Thanks, that’s the plan. I’m just trying to get a heads-up on any common issues or recalls I should be aware of beforehand.

@Abi
I saw a post today from a guy in Germany, choosing between buying or leasing. It had a good summary of common issues and recalls for the Taycan. Might be useful to look up.

@Cy
It’s good to know what’s been done and when, especially for peace of mind.

Cy said:

Dane said:
@Cy
It’s good to know what’s been done and when, especially for peace of mind.

Surely if they’re not done, you could just book them in?

Exactly, but first, you need to know what needs to be done.

Cy said:
@Dane
Right, but why not just ask Porsche directly about any outstanding recalls instead of asking a seller who doesn’t have that info?

That’s what I’m suggesting. The seller doesn’t have the service history, so it’s best to check directly with Porsche.

Sounds like a potentially good deal. Consider checking the battery health with an OBD scanner; it’s crucial. Also, be aware of some early Taycan models having heating system issues. The smaller battery isn’t popular in some markets, which might affect resale value, but that price seems great.

@Lennon
Thanks! Battery health is at 90%, which seems decent. Do I need to do anything specific to transfer the warranty? Also, the heating and AC seemed fine during my test, but is there a more detailed test I should do? It’s a gift, so we’re not planning to sell anytime soon.

Be wary of potential issues with the heater, high voltage port, battery cells, battery management system, charging port cover, and charge planner. I’ve encountered all these in just two years.

This is a bold move. I’d be cautious with a Taycan due to numerous recalls and engineering issues. Consider how safe this car will be for your girlfriend, especially considering critical recalls like the brake hose.

@Timber
Appreciate the candor. She wants something sporty, doesn’t have to be a Porsche or electric. I was thinking maybe an Audi A5, BMW 4 series, or a Tesla Model 3. Any thoughts or alternatives to avoid?