Video Summary
Here's a summary of the electric car review:The key to checking out a used Tesla is the battery. The range is best checked by charging to 100% and tapping the screen. This method is considered the least accurate. A more accurate method is to use a third party app like Tessie or TesLab. The most accurate method is to go into service mode and run a battery health test. The degradation curve of a Tesla shows that most degradation occurs in the first 20 to 30,000 miles, but flattens out over time. It is good to check how the car was used - if it was part of a Hertz rental or an Uber, degradation may be higher. There are mixed reviews on whether supercharging has a negative effect on the battery, but it’s good to know the history.
As for accident history, there's not too big of a difference in Tesla repairs versus other cars. However, battery pack replacements should be questioned. Repeated battery replacements may indicate issues. Additionally, previously totaled Teslas might not be eligible for supercharging.
Unique wheel covers on Teslas may expose the rims, leading to curb rash. The original purchaser of a Tesla with the full self-driving package can now transfer that to a replacement vehicle, making it stick with the car.
For hardware versions, Model S and X switched to Hardware 4 after March 2023, while model Ys switched after May 2023, and 2024 model 3s have Hardware 4. Older models may have earlier versions, like 2.5. It looks like the Hardware 4 versions and later will be the ones capable of being fully autonomous.
The interior should be relatively clean like any other car. One common area for wear is the wrinkling on the leather of the seat. Used Teslas should come with two key cards. It's important to check whether your garage has the ability to handle the needed outlet in order to charge the car at home. It may require paying more money to install this type of outlet.
