Used Tesla Buying Checklist: 20 Things to Check Before You Pay
Twenty things to check before you hand over money for a used Tesla — from FSD and hardware to battery health and the test drive. Tick them off as you go; your progress saves on this device, or print it.
The checks that matter most
- FSD: "has FSD" can mean purchased FSD that stays with the car — or a subscription that ends when the seller cancels. Verify before you pay a premium.
- Hardware: HW4 cars get new FSD versions first and qualify for Lemonade's FSD insurance discount. 2023 Model S, X and Y can have either HW3 or HW4.
- Battery: check range at 100% against the original EPA figure and run the battery health test. The battery warranty runs 8 years from first delivery.
- Title: a salvage or rebuilt title can affect Supercharging, warranty and insurance — and resale.
Before you go
Ask the seller for the VIN, the original delivery date and a photo of the Controls > Software screen. You can check most of this list from home before you ever see the car.
Frequently asked questions
What should I look for when buying a used Tesla?
Verify FSD and the hardware version, check battery range and health, run a vehicle history report, inspect tires and glass, test every camera, and listen for drive unit noises on a test drive.
How do I check a used Tesla's battery health?
Compare the range shown at a 100% charge with the original EPA range, and run the battery health test in the service menu on recent software. About 10–15% loss over 100,000+ miles is normal.
Is a used Tesla still under warranty?
Possibly. The 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and 8-year battery warranty both run from the original delivery date and transfer to new owners.
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.
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.
Depreciation Calculator
See your Tesla's estimated value each year, and whether you'd owe more on the loan than it's worth.
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.