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Tesla: reliability & common problems

#1 of 24
Longevity rankthe longest-lasting brand we track
~176k
Trouble-free mileageacross all body styles
57
Teslas inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections
71/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 60/100



Based on 57 used Teslas we inspected, they tend to be in noticeably better shape than the typical used car we inspect — average condition 71/100 vs 60 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
30%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
23%
Cracked or torn suspension bushings · Suspension
11%
Vibration · Drivetrain
9%
Abnormal noise · Suspension
9%

Share of inspected Teslas where each item was flagged.

How they score

Excellent 25% Good 60% Mediocre 14% Poor 2%
Hidden history

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

65%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 76%
2%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 ~176k 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 (12 cars) 20–40k mi: 80% in good shape (10 cars) 40–60k mi: 88% in good shape (8 cars) 60–80k mi: 88% in good shape (8 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: 83% in good shape (12 cars) 3 years old: 85% in good shape (13 cars) 4 years old: 83% in good shape (6 cars) 5 years old: 100% in good shape (6 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.

The bottom line

Teslas top the longevity charts, staying decent until around 176,000 miles, so a high-miler is not an automatic pass if the rest checks out. Start every look with tire condition and a full electronics scan for active codes, then crawl under for cracked suspension bushings and take a careful drive listening for noise or vibration. Body history is usually clean with almost no structural work even when some panels show paint. Use worn tires or lingering codes as hard negotiating leverage; walk only if the suspension feels loose or drivetrain vibration points to bigger repairs.

FAQ
?
Is Tesla reliable?
85% of the 57 Teslas we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, averaging 71/100 — 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 (30%), active error codes (23%), cracked or torn suspension bushings (11%).
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Based on 57 inspections · updated Jul 12, 2026