Tesla Depreciation Calculator: Value by Year and Loan Equity
See your Tesla's estimated value for each of the next seven years. Add your loan to find out when — or whether — you'd owe more than the car is worth.
How fast Teslas depreciate
According to iSeeCars' 2026 analysis of 5-year resale values:
- Model 3: keeps about 45.5% of its price after 5 years — the slowest-depreciating EV on the market.
- Cybertruck: about 43.2%.
- Model Y: about 41.9%.
- Model S: about 35% — the luxury models lose value fastest.
New-car price cuts hit used values hard, because a cheaper new Tesla resets what buyers will pay for a used one. The end of the federal EV tax credit in September 2025 changed the math again.
Why the loan matters
With a small down payment and a long loan, the balance can stay above the car's value for the first couple of years. If the car is totaled or stolen during that time, insurance pays the car's value — not what you owe. Gap insurance covers that difference.
Frequently asked questions
Do Teslas hold their value?
The Model 3 holds its value better than any other EV, keeping about 45% after 5 years. The Model Y keeps about 42%, and the Model S and Model X lose value faster.
How much does a Tesla depreciate in the first year?
Typically 15–20% in the first year, though it varies with Tesla's new-car pricing. Price cuts on new cars can push used values down faster.
Do I need gap insurance on a Tesla?
If you put less than about 20% down or have a loan longer than 60 months, you'll likely owe more than the car is worth for a while, and gap insurance is worth considering.
More free Tesla tools
Battery Replacement Cost Estimator
Estimate what a Tesla battery pack costs to replace out of warranty, check whether your warranty should cover it, and see cheaper options.
Battery Warranty Checker
Enter your Tesla, delivery date and mileage to see how much Battery & Drive Unit and basic warranty is left — new or used.
Maintenance Cost Calculator
An itemized Tesla maintenance budget by model and mileage — tires, rotations, cabin filters, brake fluid and more.
Cost of Ownership Calculator
Depreciation, insurance, charging, maintenance, fees and subscriptions combined into one monthly cost for your Tesla.
Used Tesla Buying Checklist
An interactive, printable checklist for buying a used Tesla — history, FSD and hardware, battery, body, tires and the test drive.
Trade-In Value Calculator
A rough trade-in and private-sale range for your Tesla by model, year, mileage and condition — with what purchased FSD adds.
Lease vs Buy Calculator
Compare a Tesla lease quote with financing over the same term, including the equity you'd keep in the car if you buy.
Supercharger Cost Calculator
Estimate what Supercharging costs per session, per mile and per month for your Tesla — with peak and off-peak California rates, home charging and gas compared.
California Registration Fee Calculator
Itemized estimate of your California Tesla registration: VLF, Transportation Improvement Fee, the $121 EV Road Improvement Fee, CHP and DMV fees.
California Lemon Law Checker
Answer seven questions to see whether your Tesla meets California's lemon law presumption (18 months / 18,000 miles) and what to do next.
Tesla Insurance Cost Estimator
Estimate monthly insurance for a Model 3, Model Y, Model S or Model X in your state and compare Tesla Insurance, Lemonade, State Farm and GEICO.
Lemonade vs Tesla Insurance Calculator
See how much Lemonade's 50% FSD-mile discount could save you compared with your current Tesla insurance premium.
Is Lemonade Right for Me? Quiz
A one-minute quiz that checks your state, hardware and driving habits to tell you whether Lemonade Car is worth a quote for your Tesla.
FSD Transfer Checker
Check whether Full Self-Driving stays with a used Tesla, based on when FSD was bought and Tesla's current transfer rules.
FSD Buy vs Subscribe Calculator
Compare the total cost of the $99/month FSD subscription with the old one-time purchase price over the years you plan to own the car.
Hardware Version Checker
Find out whether a Tesla has HW3 or HW4 from its model and build year, how to confirm it on the car, and what it means for FSD and insurance discounts.