Found unsold '23 XLT ER: Battery implications from sitting 2years?

[speedy123]

So, still have the Lightning bug. In browsing around, I found a dealer in rural western Canada that somehow appears to have 2 unsold 2023 Lightning XLT ER's still on their lot. Although they don't have a heat pump, they have the 312 package that have the faster onboard chargers, etc. They don't have them advertised at a competitive price but I haven't called to ask a real price either. Was interested in your thoughts about what the implications were for battery health here. Presumed sitting on the lot for 2+ years and rarely driven and no idea about what state of charge they've been kept at or charged to. In a really cold climate and regularly -30 for extended intervals in winter. Would have to be a crazy deal to make it worthwhile and to justify shipping it across country, but wondered if the battery age/lack of use would be a deal breaker for you? Would still have full regular warranty.

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[Grumpy2]

I just briefly looked at your forum history, you need to scratch that itch !! Find out more info, get a price, fly out and drive home!!!

Good luck with your itch for a Lightning.

 

[speedy123]

I just briefly looked at your forum history, you need to scratch that itch !! Find out more info, get a price, fly out and drive home!!!

Good luck with your itch for a Lightning.

My problem is that I have an itch for a lot of things. I think I have EV fleas. Or EVexcema.

 

[Whammy Bar]

It would have to be super cheap IMO... the battery in these trucks already appears to be a bit of a faberge egg.

 

[Henry Ford]

Conventional wisdom is that cold kills batteries because winter is when car batteries die. It has been explained to me that heat is what does the most damage to batteries but that is masked by the fact that warm batteries offer higher capacity and it's easier to spin a warmer engine.

All that is to say, I don't think cold is the biggest concern to a battery that has been sitting for an extended period. I'm not an expert.

 

[Hammick]

If the dealer is serious about selling them they should run the battery health report available to them and provide it to you. Ideally they should have been sitting at 30% to 40%. If they have been sitting at 100% or close to 0% I'd be a little concerned.

 

[Newton]

Unless the dealership is unaware and has been storing the batteries at 100% for the whole time, I wouldn’t really worry about it. They should give you a battery health report, if they smile and say it has been kept at 100% the whole time then walk. Otherwise.. It needs to be a good deal because there are other things like tires that have been sitting outside longer than if the vehicle was new, and there is greater possibility of rodent damage, paint chips, rusty brakes, etc. Nothing to shy away from but the price needs to be lowered for those risks.

There are some issues with importing a car from Canada, I have not done it and know it is possible (lots of used Canadian cars on the lots here near the border) but there might be costs associated with that.

 

[Newton]

Also look at the build date on the Moroni. They might be built much later than you think because XLTs were pretty rare, I never even sat in one and I bought in November 2023.

 

[KHines]

As long as the dealership hasn’t “punched” them yet (marked as sold with Ford) the clock hasn’t started ticking on the warranty. If it’s under full warranty, what does the time sat on the lot really matter?

 

[TaxmanHog]

There are some issues with importing a car from Canada, I have not done it and know it is possible (lots of used Canadian cars on the lots here near the border) but there might be costs associated with that.

OP is Canadian buying from another province of Canada

 

[Hammick]

As long as the dealership hasn’t “punched” them yet (marked as sold with Ford) the clock hasn’t started ticking on the warranty. If it’s under full warranty, what does the time sat on the lot really matter?

Because if it has been sitting at a very high SOC for two years the battery might have quite a bit of degradation which will affect its range. If the OP is planning to lease it for just a few years not much of an issue but if he plans to own it long term it could be a problem for long road trips.

 

[KHines]

Because if it has been sitting at a very high SOC for two years the battery might have quite a bit of degradation which will affect its range. If the OP is planning to lease it for just a few years not much of an issue but if he plans to own it long term it could be a problem for long road trips.

My question was rhetorical

The battery warranty is 8yrs or 100k miles. Just buy the damn thing if you like the deal.

For reference, I’m knee-deep in the car business. I bought my ‘23 XLT ER after it sat on a local lot for about a year. Zero qualms about battery health, and on a full charge during warmer months I showed 340+mi

 

[Oafy44]

If they are brand new and give you a steal roll the dice because it’s under warranty. Maybe make sure they agree to a loaner just in case.

you will know real quick if it’s a keeper or not IMO. In 2.5 years only had one modular failure and they came picked it up and drove it back a week later. Other then that no problems.

 

[Zaptor]

Also look at the build date on the Moroni.

*Monroney https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monroney_sticker

Moroni *is* the name of a Mormon prophet though! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moroni_(prophet)
Cheers, sorry for the pedantry
-Zap

 

[Firn]

My question was rhetorical

The battery warranty is 8yrs or 100k miles. Just buy the damn thing if you like the deal.

For reference, I’m knee-deep in the car business. I bought my ‘23 XLT ER after it sat on a local lot for about a year. Zero qualms about battery health, and on a full charge during warmer months I showed 340+mi

That doesn't mean the battery won't be at 71% capacity in 8 years, instead of 85. Both still sufficient to maintain the warranty. Or worse, 68% capacity, so they swap in one refurbished module, bringing it up to 71%. Bam, meets the 8yr warranty. Let's not forget that 70% capacity is 225 miles, or more like 180 at 70mph.

10% capacity loss from sitting is 10% for the rest of the life of the vehicle. That 320 mile range is now under 300 from the day you buy it.

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