Let’s face it, purchasing a brand-new Tesla isn’t a privilege many people have. Teslas are some of the most expensive EVs on the market, and even if you can capitalize on the financial incentives and rebates available for EV purchases, you will still need to fork out quite a decent amount of money to own a new Tesla.
This is especially true if you are aiming for one of the more high-end models with all the bells and whistles that make Teslas truly stand out from other EVs in the market. So, if you are eager to own a Tesla but can’t afford a new purchase, your next best option is to buy a pre-owned vehicle.
One of the factors that most people look out for when seeking to purchase used cars is mileage. This is because the mileage on a car gives critical insights into the car’s history and how well it is likely to perform. But does mileage matter on a Tesla? Read on to find out.
Is Mileage Important In Teslas?
Yes. Mileage definitely matters in Teslas but not for the same reasons that it does on diesel and gasoline-powered cars.
The number of miles that a regular car has clocked usually gives valuable insights about how much it has traveled or been in use. This can give you a clue on how much wear and tear it has experienced, and by extension, how much maintenance it is likely to require at present and in the future.
Remember, internal combustion cars typically have plenty of mechanical parts which have to be in good condition for the cars to function properly. Consequently, a vehicle that has raked up plenty of mileage is likely to have significant wear and tear on its internal parts and may require more maintenance.
Teslas cars, like most EVs, do not operate under the same principle. Since electric vehicles generally have fewer internal parts, they are not susceptible to the kind of mechanical wear and tear that gasoline and diesel vehicles experience. As such, mileage isn’t usually a huge concern for most people when they are considering purchasing pre-owned Teslas.
That said, there are several caveats that you need to think about if you are planning to buy a pre-owned Tesla:
Battery Degradation
Just like other EVs, Tesla cars heavily depend on their batteries for performance and range. As a matter of fact, the battery pack is the single-heaviest component on any Tesla vehicle and serves to not only power the car but also create a stable center of gravity that gives them a sports car feel.
The health of a Tesla battery typically depends on how the battery has been charged, the frequency of charging, and the degree of charging. Since a Tesla with a significantly high mileage has been charged numerous times compared to a new one, the health of the battery might have undergone some bit of degradation.
Even so, Tesla batteries, particularly in long-range models, are generally high quality and are less prone to degradation. This means even if the vehicle has traveled hundreds of thousands of miles, it can still provide a sufficient range.
Even so, it is always a good idea to check whether a Tesla still has a warranty on its battery before purchasing. The warranty of most Tesla models lasts for 8 years or 100,000 – 150,000 miles, depending on the model.
Tire Replacement
While Tesla cars are highly reliable and not prone to the mechanical wear and tear that internal combustion vehicles experience over time, they still need their tires replaced after a while.
So, if you are trying to buy a pre-owned Tesla, consider checking the tires to ensure they are fairly new and can still rake up some miles before they need replacement.
Generally, Tesla tires are very expensive. A full set can cost anywhere between $850 to $2,500 to replace, depending on the model, type of tires, manufacturer, and cost of labor. Consequently, buying a Tesla whose tires haven’t racked up a lot of mileage or have been recently replaced can help you offset the cost of replacing them.
Brakes
The braking system also tends to wear over time. The good news is that most Tesla EVs have wear indicators that produce a squealing sound whenever the brake pads need a replacement.
However, even if you don’t hear the sound, you can visually inspect the state of the brakes by removing the tires. You may also inquire more about the service history. Ideally, if there are no major issues, the brake system should be serviced every 12500 miles.
A Final Word: Is it worth Buying a Used Tesla?
Buying a Tesla with high mileage is not a bad idea especially if the battery is still healthy and the tires have been recently replaced.
In fact, a Tesla that provides good range and performance even after it has raked up hundreds of thousands of miles is a testament to its reliability.
Furthermore, going for a pre-owned Tesla with a high mileage might allow you to get a premium EV at a lower price than you would pay for a brand-new one.
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