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Tesla: reliability & common problems

#1 of 24
Longevity rankthe longest-lasting brand we track
~187k
Trouble-free mileageacross all body styles
66
Teslas inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections
73/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/100



Based on 66 used Teslas we inspected, they tend to be in noticeably better shape than the typical used car we inspect — average condition 73/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.

What we found

Most common faults

Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
33%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
20%
Vibration · Drivetrain
11%
Cracked or torn suspension bushings · Suspension
11%
Seats · Equipment
8%

Share of inspected Teslas where each item was flagged.

How they score

Excellent 33% Good 48% Mediocre 17% Poor 2%
Hidden history

What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on Teslas.

64%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
3%showed structural repairall cars: 4%

Compare with another brand:

Cross-shopping? Tesla vs BMW · Tesla vs Lexus · Tesla vs Mercedes

How long does a Tesla last?

Across every Tesla body style we've inspected — sedans, SUVs and anything else pooled together — the average one's condition dips below decent (a 55/100 score) around ~187k miles. It ranks Tesla #1 of 24 brands we have enough data to rate — the longest-lasting brand we track. Shopping a Tesla near that mileage? Expect more wear ahead — see which makes give the best odds at your budget.



Good cars by mileage
0 25 50 75 100 0–20k mi: 100% in good shape (13 cars) 20–40k mi: 73% in good shape (15 cars) 40–60k mi: 80% in good shape (10 cars) 60–80k mi: 89% in good shape (9 cars) 80–100k mi: 60% in good shape (5 cars) 100–120k mi: 60% in good shape (5 cars) 120–140k mi: 83% in good shape (6 cars) 40k 80k 120k 160k 200k mileage when we inspected it
Good cars by age
0 25 50 75 100 2 years old: 86% in good shape (14 cars) 3 years old: 75% in good shape (16 cars) 4 years old: 83% in good shape (6 cars) 5 years old: 100% in good shape (6 cars) 6 years old: 86% in good shape (7 cars) 7 years old: 40% in good shape (5 cars) 2y 4y 6y 8y 10y 12y 14y 16y vehicle age when we inspected it

Share of Teslas in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.



Tesla models we've inspected
Model 3 32 cars · 78% good Model X 12 cars · profile soon Model S 11 cars · profile soon

Recently inspected:

2024 Tesla Model Y · 29k mi — flagged: tires condition & wear. Inspected Aug 25.
2020 Tesla Model S · 76k mi — flagged: high voltage battery condition, thermal controller, tires condition & wear. Inspected Aug 17.
The bottom line

These cars keep their condition longer than the rest of the pack, often staying decent out to about 187,000 miles, so a high-odometer Tesla is not an automatic no. Start with the tires, then scan for active error codes and take a highway run to feel for vibration and torn bushings. Paint and structural history are milder than typical used cars, so a pretty body is not the story. If the rubber is shot, codes are live, or it shimmies, cut the price or leave.

FAQ
?
Is Tesla reliable?
81% of the 66 Teslas we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, averaging 73/100 — they tend to be in noticeably better shape than the typical used car we inspect.
?
What are the most common problems with a used Tesla?
Across the Teslas we inspected, the items we flag most often are tires condition & wear (33%), active error codes (20%), vibration (11%).
Thinking of buying a Tesla? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 66 inspections · updated Aug 27, 2026