Used Tesla Model 3
Discussion
Curb rash, uneven panel gaps side to side, creaking front suspension (sort before warranty expires, known issue).
Paint issues.
All are commonly cited issues, but as somebody with a 2019 M3P, I've hade none (apart from curb rash)
.
In fact in 3 years it has been trouble free, aside from a B pillar camera issue that a nice technician sorted on my drive, how many companies do that?
The SuperCharger network is an object lesson in how EV charging should work, I've never come across a faulty one.
Running costs are the lowest for any car I've owned and acceleration is only matched by a 997 Turbo S.
I'd have another in a heartbeat, if they could only stop them bursting into flames every night.
Paint issues.
All are commonly cited issues, but as somebody with a 2019 M3P, I've hade none (apart from curb rash)
.In fact in 3 years it has been trouble free, aside from a B pillar camera issue that a nice technician sorted on my drive, how many companies do that?
The SuperCharger network is an object lesson in how EV charging should work, I've never come across a faulty one.
Running costs are the lowest for any car I've owned and acceleration is only matched by a 997 Turbo S.
I'd have another in a heartbeat, if they could only stop them bursting into flames every night.
FeelingLucky said:
Curb rash, uneven panel gaps side to side, creaking front suspension (sort before warranty expires, known issue).
Paint issues.
All are commonly cited issues, but as somebody with a 2019 M3P, I've hade none (apart from curb rash).
Exactly my experience with a 2019 M3 LR AWD. I don't intend keeping mine more than a decade. They're sPaint issues.
All are commonly cited issues, but as somebody with a 2019 M3P, I've hade none (apart from curb rash)
.tty cars. In general it should be pretty solid. Others have picked out a few areas to look at.
One thing that I would say is that dont get fixated on one particular car for sale. Build quality can vary a lot between them and if it looks tatty or misaligned, just find another. You can find ones that are terrible and then fine one of the same year / month that is built so much better. Its the same for pretty much every manufacturer, but a bit more acute with Tesla's.
Seats should hold up well, interior should be OK too (none of them are perfect) and I would recommend going through the infotainment system too. Check its had the upgrades (or close to the most recent version) and take a look at the long term energy usage - it will be hard to determine too much from this, but it should give a guide on how it was used at least.
And yes, as others have mentioned, the big wheels bend like plastic - you have been warned.
One thing that I would say is that dont get fixated on one particular car for sale. Build quality can vary a lot between them and if it looks tatty or misaligned, just find another. You can find ones that are terrible and then fine one of the same year / month that is built so much better. Its the same for pretty much every manufacturer, but a bit more acute with Tesla's.
Seats should hold up well, interior should be OK too (none of them are perfect) and I would recommend going through the infotainment system too. Check its had the upgrades (or close to the most recent version) and take a look at the long term energy usage - it will be hard to determine too much from this, but it should give a guide on how it was used at least.
And yes, as others have mentioned, the big wheels bend like plastic - you have been warned.
Depending on budget I would try to get a 2021 or later car from the China factory. I've owned 3 Model 3s and the China built cars were noticeably better put together. They also have heat-pumps to improve efficiency and other interior tweaks.
There's lots in the market, so as others have said you can be fussy.
There's lots in the market, so as others have said you can be fussy.
Tophatron said:
Depending on budget I would try to get a 2021 or later car from the China factory. I've owned 3 Model 3s and the China built cars were noticeably better put together. They also have heat-pumps to improve efficiency and other interior tweaks.
There's lots in the market, so as others have said you can be fussy.
Looking at AT you're talking a £4-5k difference between a 20MY and 21MY car with the same mileage. That's quite a premium I'd suggest?There's lots in the market, so as others have said you can be fussy.
SWoll said:
Looking at AT you're talking a £4-5k difference between a 20MY and 21MY car with the same mileage. That's quite a premium I'd suggest?
People miss this point and seem to always blindly advise a post 21 car. The price gap between them is still pretty large and not necessarily worth it. I'd also consider that a 2020 car has had 3 years to get 'put right' so I'd suspect lots of the niggles people had when new have been sorted. I decided to go with a 2020 M3P. I don't regret not spending the extra for a 21.
To be honest I prefer the Chrome, wheel options (on the P at least - and yes they are made of Nutella) and the pre facelift storage bin too, but I accept that probably makes me a bit odd.
I have an early 2020 MP3, as mentioned some of the build quality issues are annoying, that said however most issues will only bother a car enthusiast.
Creaking suspension is a pain I’ve had mine in twice.
Tesla have been excellent with warranty claims zero problems in x3 visits.
The car despite its foibles is great, drives beautifully and the running costs are incredibly cheap. Zero servicing and super cheep to run assuming you’re charging from home.
The motor and battery are covered for 8 years as standard
Tyres are quite expensive however but i suppose you can’t have everything.
Creaking suspension is a pain I’ve had mine in twice.
Tesla have been excellent with warranty claims zero problems in x3 visits.
The car despite its foibles is great, drives beautifully and the running costs are incredibly cheap. Zero servicing and super cheep to run assuming you’re charging from home.
The motor and battery are covered for 8 years as standard
Tyres are quite expensive however but i suppose you can’t have everything.
I've had a quick look on AT for Long Ranges up to 40k miles and the difference seems less than 5k - more like 2-3k for some of the cars I was seeing. That seems about what I'd expect.
I wouldn't say I'm blindly recommending a post MY21 car, it comes from my experience owning multiple Model 3s (both Performance and AWD models). My China built cars were tangibly better than the early US made cars - both in build (better paint quality, less rattles, nicer interior) and in actual ability (eg the heat pump giving extra efficiency).
For me, the stand out model is the later RWD with the 60kwh LFP battery. Great efficiency and no issue with charging to 100% every day.
I wouldn't say I'm blindly recommending a post MY21 car, it comes from my experience owning multiple Model 3s (both Performance and AWD models). My China built cars were tangibly better than the early US made cars - both in build (better paint quality, less rattles, nicer interior) and in actual ability (eg the heat pump giving extra efficiency).
For me, the stand out model is the later RWD with the 60kwh LFP battery. Great efficiency and no issue with charging to 100% every day.
Edited by Tophatron on Saturday 4th November 00:41
My March 2020 SR+ goes back in March. So far 31k miles. We've had great trips to the French Alps and Italian Dolomites in it.
Apart from a failed headlamp assembly - the indicator stopped working - it has been excellent....so far. There was an issue on DC charging at a Tesla SuC in July last year but this was put down to the actual SuC by the Service Centre.
The panel gaps and paint on it are fine, interior has also worn well, it's as new inside. An creaky dashboard was rectified by the Service Centre when I had a 'service' (paid for by the lease co). They replaced a broken clip.
I would have no problem in buying it off them or recommending it to anyone when it is up for sale. But I'm not a fan of white any more!
My next EV will either be a Polestar LR, just for a change. If not a Model 3 RWD.
Apart from a failed headlamp assembly - the indicator stopped working - it has been excellent....so far. There was an issue on DC charging at a Tesla SuC in July last year but this was put down to the actual SuC by the Service Centre.
The panel gaps and paint on it are fine, interior has also worn well, it's as new inside. An creaky dashboard was rectified by the Service Centre when I had a 'service' (paid for by the lease co). They replaced a broken clip.
I would have no problem in buying it off them or recommending it to anyone when it is up for sale. But I'm not a fan of white any more!
My next EV will either be a Polestar LR, just for a change. If not a Model 3 RWD.
Tophatron said:
I've had a quick look on AT for Long Ranges up to 40k miles and the difference seems less than 5k - more like 2-3k for some of the cars I was seeing. That seems about what I'd expect.
From AutotraderCheapest 2020 Model 3 with <45k miles
Cheapest 2021 Model 3 with <45k miles
Only the non update 2021 (70) LR's are within £2k from the look of it. For an update (71) 2021 the gap is still £4k or so.
Edited by SWoll on Saturday 4th November 07:34
Alfredo20 said:
What was changed in the update in 21?
I am not an expert, but I'll have a go.Refresh of the cabin, includes removing the gloss finish of the central console. Wireless charging pads redesigned. Heated steering wheel (on the later ones I think). Black door handles. Power lift on boot lid (again, I think, not sure). Were the front windows double glazed when previous ones were not? Wood door trims and top of dash.
Probably more efficient - but that's a guess.
Alfredo20 said:
How often are software updates and are they done automatically? Also how long is the warranty and is it transferable?
Software update frequency can be anything from weekly to monthly. If they come in quick succession, they're just bug fixes with no extra features. Every once in a while, there's a big update, and the car suddenly knows new tricks. This happened much more often in the early days, though. I remember waking up to a car that was .5 seconds quicker to 60, just because of new software. Nowadays, they're mostly user interface fine tuning.
When there is an update, the car will prompt you on screen and in the app and you get a choice to update immediately or plan it for later. Update downloads can only be done over wifi.
Tophatron said:
Depending on budget I would try to get a 2021 or later car from the China factory. I've owned 3 Model 3s and the China built cars were noticeably better put together. They also have heat-pumps to improve efficiency and other interior tweaks.
There's lots in the market, so as others have said you can be fussy.
I would go as far to say ONLY GET A MADE IN CHINA Tesla.There's lots in the market, so as others have said you can be fussy.
Miles mean nothing.
They are awesome.
They are the benchmark all other EV,s aspire to.
Gassing Station | Tesla | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff