The supply of used Tesla Model 3s is growing enormously, and with that the prices are falling. This makes the entry-level model of Tesla suddenly a very attractive used car. What should you pay attention to when buying that electric car?
This article in short:
- The Tesla Model 3 is becoming increasingly affordable as a used car due to the growing supply.
- Note the different versions: Standard Range, Long Range, and Performance, each with their own specifications and battery capacity.
- Check the build quality, especially on older models.
- Common problems: worn wishbones, leaking trunk rubber, and condensation in the rear lights.
- Check your battery status via Tesla’s service mode for a clear insight into its health.
- Mileage is less relevant with EVs; even higher readings are often no problem.
About five years ago, electric driving started to become popular. In 2019, several important cars came onto the market that were all too happy to be leased by Dutch businesses due to favorable additional tax. Five years later, in 2024, many of those lease contracts will have expired and those thousands of cars will suddenly be available to the buyer of a second-hand car. Think of the Kia Niro, Hyundai Kona, and MG ZS, but especially of the car that made electric driving accessible, but above all simpler and more comfortable: the Tesla Model 3.
We can safely say that the Tesla Model 3 is one of the most important, if not the most important, electric car of the past few years. It is a relatively spacious but at the same time compact, comfortable, fast, and economical electric car, which is also very affordable compared to its competitors. That is why around 30,000 units were given a Dutch license plate in 2019, mainly through a lease contract. These cars are now accessible to the used car buyer. However, buying a Tesla Model 3 is not as easy as it seems. We explain why, and how you can choose the best car for your situation.
Many different versions
The Tesla Model 3 was (and is) offered in many different versions. There are versions with one or two electric motors, which are also combined with a large or small battery. At the same time, the Model 3 has always been kept up-to-date. Not only in terms of software but also in terms of hardware. How does it work exactly?
Let’s start with the variants. At the bottom of the range is the SR, or Standard Range. It is a variant with only a motor on the rear axle, and the smallest battery pack. Above that is the LR, or Long Range. This has, as the name suggests, a greater range due to a larger battery. This variant was delivered with one or two electric motors, and therefore rear- or four-wheel drive. If you opt for the rear-wheel drive version, you get less power, but a slightly higher range. However, this variant was only delivered in Europe for a short time. The four-wheel drive version is faster but does not go as far. At the top of the range is the P, or Performance, with a lot of power and a large battery.
All versions from the first model years
Below is an overview of all versions from the first model years of the Tesla Model 3, which you will probably also encounter on used car websites.
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Standard Range: 320 kilometers range (49 kWh battery)
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Long Range RWD: 475 kilometers (73.5 kWh battery)
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Long Range Dual Motor (4WD): 455 kilometers (73.5 kWh battery)
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Long Range Performance: 440 kilometers (73.5 kWh battery)
But unfortunately: we’re not there yet. In the years that followed, Tesla spooned a different and slightly larger battery into the Model 3. The Standard Range got a 52.5 kWh battery, which also became a so-called LFP battery. This battery uses other materials (including no cobalt) and – unlike the older and regular NMC batteries – can always be charged to 100 percent. That makes the new Standard Range variant a lot more practical as a used car than the very first version. Between 2021 and 2023, the standard variant of the Model 3 even got a 57.5 kWh battery. For a clear overview of all versions and model years, it is best to look at EV Database.
When looking for a Tesla Model 3, pay close attention to the years of manufacture: not all suppliers delve into all the variants that Tesla has delivered and often advertise with figures that do not correspond to the specifications of the car in question.
Ailments
Okay, you’ve chosen the version that suits you best. Now it’s time to look at specific points of interest for a Tesla Model 3. We’ll start with the build quality of the car because, in the early years, it wasn’t at the level it is today. The first Model 3s were criticized for non-fitting body parts and a dashboard that wasn’t very sturdy and tightly put together. So when you view the car, take a good look at it and feel all the parts in the interior in particular. Know that the cars from China have a significantly better build quality than the (early) models that came from the American factory in Fremont.
Now to the rest of the car. A well-known problem of the first version of the Tesla Model 3 are the front control arms. Almost every car and owner suffered from it in the first years: a thumping and creaking suspension. The good news for the used car buyer is that many of those control arms have already been replaced during the lease period and are under warranty. Nevertheless, pay close attention to it and ask for the maintenance history of the used car you have in mind.
Leakage
It is always a good idea to inspect the trunk for moisture in second-hand cars. It is quite common, especially in older cars, for the rubbers of the tailgate to be no longer good and to let water through. Here too, earlier copies of the Tesla Model 3 had problems, but these may have already been resolved under warranty. Feel in the trunk whether the fabric is dry and take a good look in the extra and deep luggage compartment, where you can store the charging cable, among other things.
Moisture around the rear of the car is an issue because the rear lights of the Tesla Model 3 were and are not always waterproof. A known problem is condensation in the rear light units. This not only does not look nice but can also cause defects. So check this carefully. Every Tesla Model 3 also has a large panoramic roof: check this carefully for damage, cracks, or possibly even cracks.
Check the battery status
The most important part of an electric car is and remains the battery. And as a used car buyer, you naturally want to be certain about that. In a previous article, we already advised you to always have a battery check performed on a used electric car. This will give you insight into the State of Health (SoH) of a battery and you will therefore know how healthy it still is.
Tesla has also come up with something for this. Every car from the manufacturer has a so-called service mode, in which the car reads itself, as it were. This gives you insight into the status of the car and battery. Handy, and certainly recommended to activate during your test drive or viewing. Ask the seller to perform this action for you, or search the internet for a way to easily do it yourself. Make sure you have this check performed at the time of the viewing.
What don’t you have to worry about?
In general, the mileage of many electric cars is much less relevant. This is because EVs are less sensitive to maintenance and malfunctions, and things like an electric motor and battery simply last a very long time. Therefore, do not be afraid to buy a Tesla Model 3 with a high mileage: the battery is still far from being at its end at a mileage of 200,000 kilometers. This will probably be confirmed by the battery check that you have performed.
Experiences with the Tesla Model 3 also show that the tires generally last a long time, just as long as with a fuel car. Always check them of course, but it is not a specific point of attention. The same applies to the software: it is rock solid in a Tesla, but older models are also constantly updated with new possibilities and features. It is one of the most important purchase arguments for a Tesla Model 3 and whether you drive a newer or an older model, it does not matter.
Want to know more about the driving and usage experiences of a Tesla Model 3? You can easily get in touch with the owners of that car via the Electric Drivers Association. They are ready to provide you with information and tips.
