If you plan on purchasing a used ICE vehicle, mileage matters a lot! The odometer gives you insightful information regarding the vehicle’s condition. Does this unwritten rule of choosing a pre-owned vehicle apply to all-electric vehicles such as Tesla as well?
The mileage still matters on a Tesla, but it’s not as important for EVs as traditional vehicles. Because Tesla vehicles’ resale value is mostly based on the battery pack’s SoH or ‘state of health’. No matter how many miles a Tesla has driven, it all comes down to the battery’s health and the real-world range of the vehicle.
Electric cars have only a few moving parts that wear over time and need replacement. The most expensive part replacement is, by far, the battery pack itself. That’s why a customer looking to buy a used Tesla should first seek information on the vehicle’s battery but not the mileage itself. Suffice it to say that mileage is also a factor in evaluating the battery’s health status but it’s not the only criteria.
What to Look for When Purchasing A Pre-Owned Tesla?
If you’re on the market for a pre-owned Tesla, instead of only focusing on mileage, you need to learn more about the vehicle’s battery condition, the manufacturing date of tires, how many miles previous owner put on them, interior condition, how old is the low-voltage battery, etc. You should put the battery condition in the first place because it’ll cost an arm and a leg to replace. You should also look for any wear on the tires. Tesla tires are significantly more expensive than non-EV tires.
12/16V low-voltage battery also needs to be replaced more often on a Tesla than an ICE vehicle. Tesla vehicles’ brake disks and pads could be used for years without any replacement, but you shouldn’t take your chances with them. Take a quick test drive with the vehicle and look for brake pedal stiffness or any different noise coming from the brakes.
If you want to learn more about Tesla vehicles, feel free to check out our other Tesla FAQ articles:
– How to Restart/Reboot Tesla Model 3/Y?
– How Long Can An Electric Car Sit Without Charging?
– Should I Charge My Electric Car Every Night?
– Do Teslas Have Engines? | A Guide to Understanding EVs
