Services
Insurance
Repairs
Advice
About

What do I look for when buying a used Tesla?

I’ve always wanted to own a Tesla, but a new one doesn’t fit into my budget. As such, I’m thinking about buying a used one. The only issue I’m facing is that I’ve never purchased an electric vehicle before, so I have no idea what I’m doing. What do I need to look for when I’m buying a used Tesla?

avatar
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Buying a used Tesla isn’t all that different from buying any other used car, but there are a few unique things you want to look for:
  • A battery and range status report: Use the
    Recurrent tool
    to get a report on the current status of the battery and how much range it still has.
  • Warranty: Every Tesla has an 8-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty. If you’re buying a used one, you typically want to choose a car that still falls under this warranty to avoid paying out of pocket for repairs due to defects.
  • Problems with particular models: Older Tesla models, specifically older Model S or Model X models, have problems with the door handles and the center console, so watch out for these.
Aside from that, the other things that you should look for are the same as a gas-powered car, such as:
  • Vehicle history report
  • Smooth test drive
  • Cosmetic damage and rust
  • Fair market price based on its condition
If you decide to purchase a used Tesla, just make sure that you do your research when it comes to your
Tesla car insurance costs
. Save money and get the coverage you need by using the
Jerry
app.
Jerry is a
licensed broker
and insurance comparison tool that collects quotes from over 55 top-rated insurers in just 45 seconds. After you find a great rate, Jerry can help you buy new insurance and cancel your old policy. Users save an average of $800+ per year.
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings