# BYD Dolphin — Used Car Buying Guide

AutoScout's analysis of the BYD Dolphin on the UK used-car market. Backed by 33 million DVSA MOT tests, current AutoTrader pricing, and depreciation curves derived from CAP/Glass's Guide data.

Live interactive report: https://autoscout.fyi/cars/byd-dolphin

## Verdict

- **Best value year**: 2024
- **Ideal trim**: Design
- **Target mileage**: 10,000–20,000 miles
- **Max previous owners**: 2
- **Target price**: £19,500

## Why this model

⚠️ Limited UK data — BYD only arrived in the UK in late 2023/early 2024, so we have fewer MOT tests and less resale history than established brands. Despite this, the BYD Dolphin is a really compelling choice for a compact electric car! It scored a full 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating in 2023, which is fantastic for peace of mind. You also get a very generous 6-year/150,000-mile warranty, which is longer than most European rivals and shows BYD's confidence in their product. BYD is China's number one EV brand, selling 1.76 million EVs globally in 2023, so they have massive scale, which bodes well for parts supply and service network growth. It's practical, comfortable, and offers a decent real-world range for daily driving, especially with its liquid-cooled 44.9kWh or 60.4kWh battery, which helps maintain battery health over time (expected degradation ~1.8% per year).

## What you should pay

The used EV market has seen significant price adjustments recently, and newer models like the Dolphin are no exception. For a 2024 BYD Dolphin Design trim, you should aim for around £19,500. This factors in the initial depreciation from new and the current softening of the used EV market. Given the limited UK data, there's a wider uncertainty band of ±20%, meaning prices could realistically range from £15,600 to £23,400 depending on condition, mileage, and specific dealer offers.

## Which trim to buy

The 'Design' trim is the sweet spot for the BYD Dolphin. It typically comes with the larger 60.4kWh battery, giving you a more usable real-world range (around 150-160 miles) and a more powerful 204hp motor, making it feel more sprightly. You also get desirable features like a panoramic roof, heated front seats, and a larger infotainment screen, which significantly enhance the driving experience without jumping to the top-tier 'Excellence' price point.

## What to check before you buy

- The maximum DC charging speed is 60kW, which is slower than many rivals and can mean longer waits at public rapid chargers.
- As a newer brand in the UK, the service network is still growing, so check local dealer availability.
- Like any EV, ensure the battery health is good (though unlikely to be an issue on a young car with a liquid-cooled battery and warranty). Check all charging ports for damage.

## Running costs

Running costs for the Dolphin are very low, as expected for an EV. If you charge at home on a standard rate (around 24.5p/kWh), you're looking at about 7.1p per mile, which is roughly £714 per year for 10,000 miles. However, if you switch to a smart EV tariff like Octopus Go or Intelligent Octopus (around 9p/kWh overnight), this drops significantly to about 2.6p per mile, costing only around £262 per year for 10,000 miles – a saving of £452 annually! Road tax for EVs is free until April 2025, after which it will be £195 per year. Insurance costs can vary, but generally, newer EVs might be slightly higher than equivalent petrol cars, so always get a quote.

## Key stats

- **Fuel Type**: Electric
- **Horsepower**: 204 hp
- **Mpg**: N/A
- **Reliability Score**: New to the UK market, so long-term UK reliability data is limited. However, BYD has a strong reputation in other European markets (Norway, Netherlands) with broadly positive owner feedback. The generous 6-year/150,000-mile warranty provides good peace of mind.
- **Safety Rating**: ★★★★★ (Euro NCAP 2023)

## Trim comparison

| Trim | Price new | Price used | Key features |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Active | £26,195 | £18,000 | 44.9kWh battery; 95hp motor; 16-inch alloy wheels |
| Design | £28,195 | £19,500 | 60.4kWh battery; 204hp motor; 17-inch alloy wheels |
| Excellence | £31,195 | £22,000 | 60.4kWh battery; 204hp motor; 17-inch alloy wheels |

## Depreciation forecast

| Year | Estimated value | Retention |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2026 | £19,500 | 100% |
| 2027 | £17,200 | 88% |
| 2028 | £15,100 | 77% |
| 2029 | £13,300 | 68% |
| 2030 | £11,700 | 60% |

The sweet spot for buying a used BYD Dolphin is likely to be around 2-3 years old (so a 2024 or 2025 model bought in 2026-2027). This is when the steepest part of the depreciation curve has already occurred, offering a significant saving over new while still benefiting from the remainder of BYD's excellent 6-year/150,000-mile warranty.

Total value lost since new: 58.5%.

## Alternatives to consider

- MG4 EV
- Vauxhall Corsa-e
- [Peugeot e-208](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/peugeot-e-208.md)

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Source: AutoScout (https://autoscout.fyi). Part of a review of the UK used-car market across 500+ models.