How do you know if the battery is close to kaput?The only thing that might be a problem is battery deg but like any ICE car you do your homework and check what condition the battery is in before buying.
The first gen batteries appear not to last long but if it is a newer one the buyer might find a good un. But you wouldn't buy one with a knackered battery just like you wouldn't buy an ICE car with a clonking engine.
The car charges, you'd only discover the battery is failing when you'd been out on the road for a while.