Used Model S (new buyer interested)

[nattybuk]

Hi all,

I’m looking to purchase a used Model S as a daily driver. Currently have an X3M comp which I’m probably going to switch for a V10 this year.

I have a couple of question being new to EV and Tesla. Any advice would be great.

- Model to get? Looking at £26k max and only around 5k per year in mileage
- Serving intervals
- Battery lifespan (heard issues with some batteries)
- Free supercharger. Am I correct in thinking pre 2019 cars have free supercharging?

Anything else I’m missing or should know of?

[Mr E]

5k a year - is it really worth it?

[nattybuk]

That’s a valid question. Car will be used for Mrs to and from work, school runs and the odd 600 round trip.

[AVB]

Most free supercharging was not transferable. On my MX (2107) wasn’t. Very early ones might be.

No defined service intervals as such. I think brake fluid and cabin air filter are the only things that need replacing every few years. Worthwhile getting one of the independents to check it over every couple of years.

[Mr E]

nattybuk said:

That’s a valid question. Car will be used for Mrs to and from work, school runs and the odd 600 round trip.

I was going firm “cheap used zoe”’ until the last requirement.

[Heres Johnny]

- Model to get? Looking at £26k max and only around 5k per year in mileage

For that kind of money I suggest a facelift 75D. The prefacelift 85Ds have a wore battery and had "batterygate" and "chargegate" where they were knobbled through a software update. Some of that has been partially reversed. The 85D battery was also an overstatement on battery capacity. The facelift also bought a number of welcome benefits including better headlights.

- Serving intervals

There are none as such. There are routine things to check, but an MOT will probably steer you on those, such as brakes.

- Battery lifespan (heard issues with some batteries)

Not really an issue except for the comments about the 85D battery. You can get a 2017 car for your money so you would have a couple of years of battery and motor warranty left anyway

- Free supercharger. Am I correct in thinking pre 2019 cars have free supercharging?

Cars that age can have it, but only some cars registered before April 2017 have it where it can be transferede to the next owner. (Technically they all had it, but if the car has been traded through Tesla in the last couple of years, it will have been removed).

I'd head to the tesla-info website, you can see all the car listings in the UK, plus buyers guides and explanations on free supercharging, autopilot etc. I know the owner well