Potential used EV purchase
Discussion
Have been considering for a while and now finally looking at changing car and was hoping for some views on my thinking
top of the list has been Tesla Model 3 LR. 2021 china build. it seems prices have shored up in recent months and for a car with the tail end of tesla warranty (under 4 years and < 50,000 miles) is looking around 19k.
My plan was to get a car in with at least some months warranty left. getting the Cleevely end of warranty inspection and any potential issues can be taken to tesla, commonly seems to be suspension bushes etc. then after that your on your own
Ive normally always ran older cars and kept them for long periods so depreciation etc has never been such an issue. I have cash to buy the car and from what i can tell that seems to be the cheapest way of doing it rather than any financing/loan.
Work does have a salary sacrifice scheme but its through avyen? and the prices are just rediculous regardless of tax band.
only concern i guess is what is a 2021 LR going to be worth in 2/3 years. 2019 cars with 70,000 miles seem to be around 15k so that i guess would be best case so looking at roughly 2/3k a year depreceation still?
Any thoughts?
top of the list has been Tesla Model 3 LR. 2021 china build. it seems prices have shored up in recent months and for a car with the tail end of tesla warranty (under 4 years and < 50,000 miles) is looking around 19k.
My plan was to get a car in with at least some months warranty left. getting the Cleevely end of warranty inspection and any potential issues can be taken to tesla, commonly seems to be suspension bushes etc. then after that your on your own
Ive normally always ran older cars and kept them for long periods so depreciation etc has never been such an issue. I have cash to buy the car and from what i can tell that seems to be the cheapest way of doing it rather than any financing/loan.
Work does have a salary sacrifice scheme but its through avyen? and the prices are just rediculous regardless of tax band.
only concern i guess is what is a 2021 LR going to be worth in 2/3 years. 2019 cars with 70,000 miles seem to be around 15k so that i guess would be best case so looking at roughly 2/3k a year depreceation still?
Any thoughts?
It’s definitely a good idea to pick one up before the warranty expires and do the warranty inspection. Or maybe better still one that has just had the inspection and any warranty work done. Probably not many of those around to be fair.
It should be pretty cheap motoring for the next 3 years.
It should be pretty cheap motoring for the next 3 years.
from what i can tell. there is no way to tell service history/warranty work done with tesla under their weird "cause of GDPR" interpretation.
I suppose im considering what is the best financial way to buy the car. ive always had either relatively rare interesting cars that tend to hold value or run arounds that im quite happy to run into the ground. Where as spending 20k cash on a "whites goods" car as i see people call them isnt something im u sed too. but PCP etc doesnt seem to make sense you end paying just as much as you would the depreciation and new car leasing it seems its around £5k a year for something similar but obviously nice shiny new car with no issues around warranty etc.
I suppose im considering what is the best financial way to buy the car. ive always had either relatively rare interesting cars that tend to hold value or run arounds that im quite happy to run into the ground. Where as spending 20k cash on a "whites goods" car as i see people call them isnt something im u sed too. but PCP etc doesnt seem to make sense you end paying just as much as you would the depreciation and new car leasing it seems its around £5k a year for something similar but obviously nice shiny new car with no issues around warranty etc.
PaulWoof said:
from what i can tell. there is no way to tell service history/warranty work done with tesla under their weird "cause of GDPR" interpretation.
I suppose im considering what is the best financial way to buy the car. ive always had either relatively rare interesting cars that tend to hold value or run arounds that im quite happy to run into the ground. Where as spending 20k cash on a "whites goods" car as i see people call them isnt something im u sed too. but PCP etc doesnt seem to make sense you end paying just as much as you would the depreciation and new car leasing it seems its around £5k a year for something similar but obviously nice shiny new car with no issues around warranty etc.
0% PCP on a new Tesla and roughly 50% depreciation over 3 years. But it is at least free finance and the PCP guaranteed minimum value protects you against even worse depreciation. They are good value at the moment compared to most other PCP deals. Leasing tends to be cheaper than PCP. I suppose im considering what is the best financial way to buy the car. ive always had either relatively rare interesting cars that tend to hold value or run arounds that im quite happy to run into the ground. Where as spending 20k cash on a "whites goods" car as i see people call them isnt something im u sed too. but PCP etc doesnt seem to make sense you end paying just as much as you would the depreciation and new car leasing it seems its around £5k a year for something similar but obviously nice shiny new car with no issues around warranty etc.
Buying used at £20k puts you on a much flatter depreciation curve, but more exposure to unexpected bills later on.
PaulW, did you end up getting one?
Having had our Ford Explorer for a few weeks now, I'm really considering changing my Mini Cooper S for an EV and going full electric household.
The front runner at the moment is a Tesla Model 3, probably a long range rwd, the performance is tempting for s
ts and giggles but tbh, the LR seems the most practical and still plenty quick enough.
Tesla approved used seems to have quite competitive prices, but I'm looking at up to £25k so should be able to pick a 21/22 model with minimal miles on for that sort of money.
Any pitfalls or issues you've come across? The change in chip from AMD to Ryzen in about the middle of '21 seems to be the main difference? But short of actually looking on the internal screen, I'm not sure how else you'd know?
Having had our Ford Explorer for a few weeks now, I'm really considering changing my Mini Cooper S for an EV and going full electric household.
The front runner at the moment is a Tesla Model 3, probably a long range rwd, the performance is tempting for s

Tesla approved used seems to have quite competitive prices, but I'm looking at up to £25k so should be able to pick a 21/22 model with minimal miles on for that sort of money.
Any pitfalls or issues you've come across? The change in chip from AMD to Ryzen in about the middle of '21 seems to be the main difference? But short of actually looking on the internal screen, I'm not sure how else you'd know?
Still looking actually, had some stuff come up that put car searching on the back burner but need to pull my finger out now.
it seems like used prices have shored up recently. seems 2021 cars with < 50k miles are around £20k where as couple months back you could just about manage one at £18k. also tesla warranty for most 2021 cars are now ending. My plan was to find one with a couple months tesla warranty left and get the cleevely EV inspection and take that for any potential warranty work (suspension bushes etc) done. but it seems Tesla have cracked down on that now as i suspect they were getting so many and will charge diagnosis fees for things that they deem dont require warranty work.
A bit of a jump in price to 2022 cars still at which point tesla AUC starts to make more sense with 1 year warranty and enhanched auto pilot included.
it seems like used prices have shored up recently. seems 2021 cars with < 50k miles are around £20k where as couple months back you could just about manage one at £18k. also tesla warranty for most 2021 cars are now ending. My plan was to find one with a couple months tesla warranty left and get the cleevely EV inspection and take that for any potential warranty work (suspension bushes etc) done. but it seems Tesla have cracked down on that now as i suspect they were getting so many and will charge diagnosis fees for things that they deem dont require warranty work.
A bit of a jump in price to 2022 cars still at which point tesla AUC starts to make more sense with 1 year warranty and enhanched auto pilot included.
In the US there appears to be a sweet spot post 21 refresh. Identified by the change from chrome trim to black (door handles, window accents etc. ). This is unconfirmed and may not apply in the UK, but just in case it's useful...
(Mid 2021 and after)
- heated steering wheel, Heat pump, Powerlifting trunk, Double pane windows, Wireless chargers in new centre console (and USB-C ports), Bigger battery (82kW? Check this), USS parking sensors
Next upgrade in ~2022:
- Radar removed (vision parking sensors), Ryzen CPU instead of Intel (not a big difference but apparently lags less and is faster)
Front control arms improved?
Highland suspension bolts straight on if desired. Part numbers are available online in some Tesla forums and parts can be ordered direct.
(Mid 2021 and after)
- heated steering wheel, Heat pump, Powerlifting trunk, Double pane windows, Wireless chargers in new centre console (and USB-C ports), Bigger battery (82kW? Check this), USS parking sensors
Next upgrade in ~2022:
- Radar removed (vision parking sensors), Ryzen CPU instead of Intel (not a big difference but apparently lags less and is faster)
Front control arms improved?
Highland suspension bolts straight on if desired. Part numbers are available online in some Tesla forums and parts can be ordered direct.
ShortBeardy said:
In the US there appears to be a sweet spot post 21 refresh. Identified by the change from chrome trim to black (door handles, window accents etc. ). This is unconfirmed and may not apply in the UK, but just in case it's useful...
(Mid 2021 and after)
- heated steering wheel, Heat pump, Powerlifting trunk, Double pane windows, Wireless chargers in new centre console (and USB-C ports), Bigger battery (82kW? Check this), USS parking sensors
Next upgrade in ~2022:
- Radar removed (vision parking sensors), Ryzen CPU instead of Intel (not a big difference but apparently lags less and is faster)
Front control arms improved?
Highland suspension bolts straight on if desired. Part numbers are available online in some Tesla forums and parts can be ordered direct.
I would avoid very early 2021 UK cars built in Fremont after the initial refresh. The factory was under immense pressure at the time and the build quality suffered. The later 2021 cars built in China were much better. Easily identified from the serial number and revised door card trims. (Mid 2021 and after)
- heated steering wheel, Heat pump, Powerlifting trunk, Double pane windows, Wireless chargers in new centre console (and USB-C ports), Bigger battery (82kW? Check this), USS parking sensors
Next upgrade in ~2022:
- Radar removed (vision parking sensors), Ryzen CPU instead of Intel (not a big difference but apparently lags less and is faster)
Front control arms improved?
Highland suspension bolts straight on if desired. Part numbers are available online in some Tesla forums and parts can be ordered direct.
All good info. I think I'll try and get one with the Ryzen cpu as that does seem better. Also, the Tesla AUC have installed Enhanced Autopilot. Now I'm not interested in the lane assistance stuff, but the parking could be handy?
You can get it put onto a car but it's £3400!! So if you wanted that, the AU cars do seem quite competitively priced?
I have to sell my car first though, so no rush.
You can get it put onto a car but it's £3400!! So if you wanted that, the AU cars do seem quite competitively priced?
I have to sell my car first though, so no rush.
ShortBeardy said:
In the US there appears to be a sweet spot post 21 refresh. Identified by the change from chrome trim to black (door handles, window accents etc. ). This is unconfirmed and may not apply in the UK, but just in case it's useful...
(Mid 2021 and after)
- heated steering wheel, Heat pump, Powerlifting trunk, Double pane windows, Wireless chargers in new centre console (and USB-C ports), Bigger battery (82kW? Check this), USS parking sensors
Next upgrade in ~2022:
- Radar removed (vision parking sensors), Ryzen CPU instead of Intel (not a big difference but apparently lags less and is faster)
Front control arms improved?
Highland suspension bolts straight on if desired. Part numbers are available online in some Tesla forums and parts can be ordered direct.
2022 UK cars are the sweet spot IMO. They still retain USS, and have Ryzen.(Mid 2021 and after)
- heated steering wheel, Heat pump, Powerlifting trunk, Double pane windows, Wireless chargers in new centre console (and USB-C ports), Bigger battery (82kW? Check this), USS parking sensors
Next upgrade in ~2022:
- Radar removed (vision parking sensors), Ryzen CPU instead of Intel (not a big difference but apparently lags less and is faster)
Front control arms improved?
Highland suspension bolts straight on if desired. Part numbers are available online in some Tesla forums and parts can be ordered direct.
nordboy said:
All good info. I think I'll try and get one with the Ryzen cpu as that does seem better. Also, the Tesla AUC have installed Enhanced Autopilot. Now I'm not interested in the lane assistance stuff, but the parking could be handy?
You can get it put onto a car but it's £3400!! So if you wanted that, the AU cars do seem quite competitively priced?
I have to sell my car first though, so no rush.
I think EAP for free is a small bonus, but absolutely not worth £3,400 in the UK version. It is a few years since I have used it, but it really added nothing useful above standard AP, which I do find really useful on motorways and DCs. I drove in torrential rain down the M6 from Manchester on Saturday night and AP tracked perfectly the whole way and I couldn t even see the lane markings at times. I m actually surprised it coped to be honest as that s the worst conditions I ve seen for a long time.You can get it put onto a car but it's £3400!! So if you wanted that, the AU cars do seem quite competitively priced?
I have to sell my car first though, so no rush.
Mine's a 2022 M3 RWD and it will be out of warranty at the end of March 2026. I will leave it in with Cleevelys for the end of warranty check late January and see what they fine. I've owned many executive cars including Mercedes, BMW and Audi. The Tesla has been very good indeed with just a problem with the drivers window and a temperamental screen. This past summer I was regularly seeing 5.5+ m/kilowatt and hitting 300 miles on a full charge. Tempted to change for a new RWD Long Range but waiting to see if they introduce indicator stalks again as in Model Y.
uktrailmonster said:
nordboy said:
All good info. I think I'll try and get one with the Ryzen cpu as that does seem better. Also, the Tesla AUC have installed Enhanced Autopilot. Now I'm not interested in the lane assistance stuff, but the parking could be handy?
You can get it put onto a car but it's £3400!! So if you wanted that, the AU cars do seem quite competitively priced?
I have to sell my car first though, so no rush.
I think EAP for free is a small bonus, but absolutely not worth £3,400 in the UK version. It is a few years since I have used it, but it really added nothing useful above standard AP, which I do find really useful on motorways and DCs. I drove in torrential rain down the M6 from Manchester on Saturday night and AP tracked perfectly the whole way and I couldn t even see the lane markings at times. I m actually surprised it coped to be honest as that s the worst conditions I ve seen for a long time.You can get it put onto a car but it's £3400!! So if you wanted that, the AU cars do seem quite competitively priced?
I have to sell my car first though, so no rush.
oldmanbm said:
Mine's a 2022 M3 RWD and it will be out of warranty at the end of March 2026. I will leave it in with Cleevelys for the end of warranty check late January and see what they fine. I've owned many executive cars including Mercedes, BMW and Audi. The Tesla has been very good indeed with just a problem with the drivers window and a temperamental screen. This past summer I was regularly seeing 5.5+ m/kilowatt and hitting 300 miles on a full charge. Tempted to change for a new RWD Long Range but waiting to see if they introduce indicator stalks again as in Model Y.
Stalks are being fitted to all new 3's coming out of Shanghai..I’d be a little cautious about thinking depreciation has leveled off is permanent, these charts show exactly the same thing happened last year, almost as if it’s a time of year thing. 10% drops per year isn’t horrendous on a 20k purchase I guess. The investory listings also have both Tesla and independent advertisers all mixed together on the various charts and plots.
https://ev-inventory.com/tesla-depreciation/UK/M3/...
If you’re going to buy then buying in warranty to get issues sorted is however a pretty sound approach, although any purchase from a dealer will come with a minimum warranty.
https://ev-inventory.com/tesla-depreciation/UK/M3/...
If you’re going to buy then buying in warranty to get issues sorted is however a pretty sound approach, although any purchase from a dealer will come with a minimum warranty.
I've just got a 2021 LR and seems spot on. Was an ex-lease/company car. Charged it up to 100% other day and it claimed 308 miles which I think is good.
I genuinely don't see the point in paying the £3400 for the self drive thing. The standard stuff seems to do it fairly good, even though there's the phantom braking which I've had once when it thought a caravan was about to jump into my lane.
I paid slightly more than I wanted to with the mileage but it was the better car for my price. Overall I'm happy but annoyed at charging it up. I'm use to visiting the petrol station once every 10 days so this charging up every night or every other night is a bit of a pain.
I can't see me ever going back now to petrol or diesel.
I genuinely don't see the point in paying the £3400 for the self drive thing. The standard stuff seems to do it fairly good, even though there's the phantom braking which I've had once when it thought a caravan was about to jump into my lane.
I paid slightly more than I wanted to with the mileage but it was the better car for my price. Overall I'm happy but annoyed at charging it up. I'm use to visiting the petrol station once every 10 days so this charging up every night or every other night is a bit of a pain.
I can't see me ever going back now to petrol or diesel.
nordboy said:
I'd never pay for it, but I guess it's just a carrot dangler from Tesla AU. I guess my choice at the moment is buy Tesla AU and obviously pay a bit more (and with any MD) but get EAP and a bit of warranty? Or save myself a few quid, not have EAP? Or with the budget, non AU but the performance models are available? Performance sometimes seems a bit pointless though? Lose some range and ok, the fun of the acceleration, but I'm sure that'll wear off. And the LR AWD is pretty quick anyway?
Yeah the LR AWD is plenty quick enough in it’s own right. You have the option of acceleration boost for £1500, but I’ve never thought that was worth the cost. Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff