Looking to buy a used Model 3 LR, what do I not know?

[QuartzDad]

Always been an ICE driver. Looking at 2019-23, £13k-£17k.

Were there any major improvements in that period that mean I should prioritise a newer one? 6 of the 20 I've shortlisted so far are Chinese built, are they significantly better/different?

TIA.

[Pixelpeep Electric]

CON: Insurance seems to be higher with tesla than any other similarly powered EV

PRO: Charging network is the best in the world. By a country mile.

[Pixelpeep Electric]

QuartzDad said:

Always been an ICE driver. Looking at 2019-23, £13k-£17k.

Were there any major improvements in that period that mean I should prioritise a newer one? 6 of the 20 I've shortlisted so far are Chinese built, are they significantly better/different?

TIA.

Sorry, to answer your actual question.2023 and above is where i'd look - here's a summary of changes (AI summary of wiki)

Tesla Model 3 "Highland" Refresh (2023) Summary

In September 2023, Tesla launched a major refresh of the Model 3, known internally as Project Highland. The update focused on improving range, efficiency, comfort, technology, and production costs.

Key improvements:

~10% increase in range thanks to better aerodynamics, redesigned wheels, improved tyres, and a more streamlined front and rear design.
New exterior styling, including redesigned headlights and tail lights.
Improved ride comfort with upgraded suspension featuring Frequency Selective Damping.
HW4 hardware added, providing better cameras, processing power, and improved Autopilot safety features.

Interior upgrades:

Rear passenger 8-inch touchscreen.
Ventilated front seats.
Upgraded sound system with up to 17 speakers (previously 14).
Customisable ambient lighting.
Improved cabin refinement and noise insulation.

Controversial change:

Tesla removed the traditional indicator and gear selector stalks, replacing them with steering wheel buttons and touchscreen controls. This was criticised by some reviewers and Tesla later reintroduced indicator stalks in certain markets and future model years.

Production and availability:

Production began first at Gigafactory Shanghai, with deliveries to China, Europe, Australia, Japan, and other export markets.
North American orders opened in January 2024, with production at the Fremont factory.

[QuartzDad]

Thanks for that Pixel. 73 reg look to be £23k+ so out of budget.

So I assume there is no great difference between a 2019 and a 2022 in terms of hardware, capabilities etc.?

[ghibbett]

There are lots of differences.

Tesla make many incremental updates.

This is a good source of info:
https://ev-inventory.com/guide/tesla-model-3-buyer...

[Whataguy]

I bought a late 22 (23 model year) LR AWD - there was a refresh around 22 so ones after that are worth getting.

Mine was also Chinese built.

Main difference is a better main computer, so you have more functions. Plus various other small improvements as Tesla is always improving their cars over time.

I believe an easy way to tell is the door handles, pre-facelift are chrome and facelift are black. But I may be mistaken. Mine has the black door handles.