Buying a used Tesla
Discussion
I’m pricing up some second hand Model 3s which seem to be relatively cheap at the minute. £26k looks to get you a 3yr old Standard range with <30k miles.
Given the Tesla battery and drive unit warranty is 8yr or 100k miles, this seems like a pretty attractive buy. Get one with the aim of selling on after 4-5 years before the warranty expires. I’d be planning on doing less than 10k per year, so would be selling a seven year old one with 70k on the clock.
Are there any other common issues with these cars that wouldn’t be covered under their warranty to be aware of?
Given the Tesla battery and drive unit warranty is 8yr or 100k miles, this seems like a pretty attractive buy. Get one with the aim of selling on after 4-5 years before the warranty expires. I’d be planning on doing less than 10k per year, so would be selling a seven year old one with 70k on the clock.
Are there any other common issues with these cars that wouldn’t be covered under their warranty to be aware of?
I was briefly looking at Model S around 2016 with free supercharging.
I know there are always horror stories with all cars, but the talk of the need for a new battery at £xxk at circa 100k miles put me off.
Whilst you will get the warranty, you might want to think about the price the next person might be willing to pay? Although to be fair by that point, it would be a fairly cheap car anyway.
I know there are always horror stories with all cars, but the talk of the need for a new battery at £xxk at circa 100k miles put me off.
Whilst you will get the warranty, you might want to think about the price the next person might be willing to pay? Although to be fair by that point, it would be a fairly cheap car anyway.
Edited by covmutley on Thursday 16th March 17:15
TRKid said:
I’m pricing up some second hand Model 3s which seem to be relatively cheap at the minute. £26k looks to get you a 3yr old Standard range with <30k miles.
Given the Tesla battery and drive unit warranty is 8yr or 100k miles, this seems like a pretty attractive buy. Get one with the aim of selling on after 4-5 years before the warranty expires. I’d be planning on doing less than 10k per year, so would be selling a seven year old one with 70k on the clock.
Are there any other common issues with these cars that wouldn’t be covered under their warranty to be aware of?
In 5 years time though it will be 8 years old with warranty going / gone. Surely an EV is scrap value at that point cos battery?Given the Tesla battery and drive unit warranty is 8yr or 100k miles, this seems like a pretty attractive buy. Get one with the aim of selling on after 4-5 years before the warranty expires. I’d be planning on doing less than 10k per year, so would be selling a seven year old one with 70k on the clock.
Are there any other common issues with these cars that wouldn’t be covered under their warranty to be aware of?
TX.
Dingu said:
Like an ICE is scrap at 100k cause of engine?
Can you service a battery throughout its life to prolong its use? Other than catastrophic failures, engines are a collection of moving parts that can be replaced or repaired. And regular maintenance can extend the usable life of an engine, just as poor / no maintenance can shorten it.I ask genuinely... can the same be true of a battery pack? Or, is it more likely that they have a natural expiration point where nothing can be done to keep them going, even if the rest of the car is fine?
Dingu said:
Terminator X said:
In 5 years time though it will be 8 years old with warranty going / gone. Surely an EV is scrap value at that point cos battery?
TX.
Like an ICE is scrap at 100k cause of engine?TX.
TX.
_Rob said:
Can you service a battery throughout its life to prolong its use? Other than catastrophic failures, engines are a collection of moving parts that can be replaced or repaired. And regular maintenance can extend the usable life of an engine, just as poor / no maintenance can shorten it.
I ask genuinely... can the same be true of a battery pack? Or, is it more likely that they have a natural expiration point where nothing can be done to keep them going, even if the rest of the car is fine?
A battery pack isn’t a collection of moving parts needing endless maintenance to stop it eating itself to be fair. I ask genuinely... can the same be true of a battery pack? Or, is it more likely that they have a natural expiration point where nothing can be done to keep them going, even if the rest of the car is fine?
An expiration point is no more likely than an ICE car reaches a stage where it is uneconomical to repair. Very few cars are maintained regardless of cost, even on here.
It was more the assumption that 8 years was maximum life that amused me.
Terminator X said:
Would you take a chance on the battery if the car is 8 years old and probably significantly > the value of the the car if it needs replacing? ICE engines are a known quantity to repair / replace vs batteries that aren't.
TX.
Given there are usually ways to tell the battery health then yes. No more risk than an ICE eating itself which could cost more than the rest of the car to repair or replace. TX.
Terminator X said:
In 5 years time though it will be 8 years old with warranty going / gone. Surely an EV is scrap value at that point cos battery?
TX.
That’s nonsense. Have a look on autotrader at older EVs.TX.
Here’s a 9 year old one with 150k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302033...
TRKid said:
I’m pricing up some second hand Model 3s which seem to be relatively cheap at the minute. £26k looks to get you a 3yr old Standard range with <30k miles.
Given the Tesla battery and drive unit warranty is 8yr or 100k miles, this seems like a pretty attractive buy. Get one with the aim of selling on after 4-5 years before the warranty expires. I’d be planning on doing less than 10k per year, so would be selling a seven year old one with 70k on the clock.
Are there any other common issues with these cars that wouldn’t be covered under their warranty to be aware of?
I've had my 3SR+ 3 years today, 1 year left on the work lease scheme. 23000 miles. Still on the original MPS4s.Given the Tesla battery and drive unit warranty is 8yr or 100k miles, this seems like a pretty attractive buy. Get one with the aim of selling on after 4-5 years before the warranty expires. I’d be planning on doing less than 10k per year, so would be selling a seven year old one with 70k on the clock.
Are there any other common issues with these cars that wouldn’t be covered under their warranty to be aware of?
Just had the MOT, no advisories as I would have hoped.
Only problem I've had was a failed driver's side headlamp assembly which was promptly fixed under warranty by Tesla.
I had a 2 year service done by Tesla at the lease company's expense - new cabin filter and a check of the frunk catch that sometimes played up. If it was my car I'd have changed the cabin filter myself.
Panel gaps are as they should be, no rattles, no seat wear, drives as new. Don't believe the naysayers, I have no issues with the build quality at all.
When it goes back I won't be getting another Tesla as they aren't available within my cost band at the moment. If it was I'd get one. Will probably go down the Cupra Born or new Kona.route.
TRKid said:
Terminator X said:
In 5 years time though it will be 8 years old with warranty going / gone. Surely an EV is scrap value at that point cos battery?
TX.
That’s nonsense. Have a look on autotrader at older EVs.TX.
Here’s a 9 year old one with 150k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302033...
TX.
Maracus said:
I've had my 3SR+ 3 years today, 1 year left on the work lease scheme. 23000 miles. Still on the original MPS4s.
Just had the MOT, no advisories as I would have hoped.
Only problem I've had was a failed driver's side headlamp assembly which was promptly fixed under warranty by Tesla.
I had a 2 year service done by Tesla at the lease company's expense - new cabin filter and a check of the frunk catch that sometimes played up. If it was my car I'd have changed the cabin filter myself.
Panel gaps are as they should be, no rattles, no seat wear, drives as new. Don't believe the naysayers, I have no issues with the build quality at all.
When it goes back I won't be getting another Tesla as they aren't available within my cost band at the moment. If it was I'd get one. Will probably go down the Cupra Born or new Kona.route.
Good to know, cheers. It’s interesting because build quality seems to be the biggest gripe people have with them.Just had the MOT, no advisories as I would have hoped.
Only problem I've had was a failed driver's side headlamp assembly which was promptly fixed under warranty by Tesla.
I had a 2 year service done by Tesla at the lease company's expense - new cabin filter and a check of the frunk catch that sometimes played up. If it was my car I'd have changed the cabin filter myself.
Panel gaps are as they should be, no rattles, no seat wear, drives as new. Don't believe the naysayers, I have no issues with the build quality at all.
When it goes back I won't be getting another Tesla as they aren't available within my cost band at the moment. If it was I'd get one. Will probably go down the Cupra Born or new Kona.route.
Terminator X said:
Dingu said:
Terminator X said:
In 5 years time though it will be 8 years old with warranty going / gone. Surely an EV is scrap value at that point cos battery?
TX.
Like an ICE is scrap at 100k cause of engine?TX.
TX.
Easy to diagnose any battery issues, batteries can have cells replaced if needed etc. Silly argument, you're better than that TX.
2 months ago I picked up a model 3 performance for the Mrs.
2020 model with 30k miles for £31k.
I noticed that the interior HVAC sensor was faulty so was booked into Tesla a few weeks ago.
While there they also addressed a safety recall on a trunk wiring harness along with a condensated rear light.
She's covered about 2500 miles so far, no drama.
The car is stupid quick and equally stupidly cheap to run despite only getting 150 miles from a quoted 300 mile range due in part to the temperature, but mostly as she has the heater on full blast at 28 degrees constantly.
The place we got it from seems to be stocking many many model 3s.
2020 model with 30k miles for £31k.
I noticed that the interior HVAC sensor was faulty so was booked into Tesla a few weeks ago.
While there they also addressed a safety recall on a trunk wiring harness along with a condensated rear light.
She's covered about 2500 miles so far, no drama.
The car is stupid quick and equally stupidly cheap to run despite only getting 150 miles from a quoted 300 mile range due in part to the temperature, but mostly as she has the heater on full blast at 28 degrees constantly.
The place we got it from seems to be stocking many many model 3s.
manracer said:
despite only getting 150 miles from a quoted 300 mile range due in part to the temperature, but mostly as she has the heater on full blast at 28 degrees constantly.
I'll pass thanks.At least my low mileage six pot will still be functioning in 20 years time when that Tesla's part of my baked bean can.
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