Are Teslas reliable?
81% of the 83 Teslas we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, averaging 74/100 — they tend to be in noticeably better shape than the typical used car we inspect.
#1 of 24
Longevity rankthe longest-lasting brand we track~184k
Trouble-free mileageacross all body styles83
Teslas inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections74/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/100Based on 83 used Teslas we inspected, they tend to be in noticeably better shape than the typical used car we inspect — average condition 74/100 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
35%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
17%
Vibration · Drivetrain
10%
Cracked or torn suspension bushings · Suspension
10%
Steering pull · Suspension
7%
Share of inspected Teslas where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 39%
Good 42%
Mediocre 18%
Poor 1%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on Teslas.
64%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 74%
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 ~184k 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
Good cars by age
Share of Teslas in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; a band under 20 cars follows the nearby bands, so a run above the all-cars line stays above it, and a band of 20 or more uses the rate we measured; where a band has too few cars, the line follows the trend between the bands on either side; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.
Tesla models we've inspected
Model 3
36 cars · 78% good
Model S
17 cars · profile soon
Model Y
14 cars · profile soon
Model X
13 cars · profile soon
Recently inspected:
2021 Tesla Model Y · 54k mi — flagged: tires condition & wear, cracked or torn suspension bushings. Inspected Nov 2.
2025 Tesla Model 3 · 9k mi — flagged: oil leaks, autopilot / fsd computer, leaking or worn shock absorbers. Inspected Oct 30.
The bottom line
High miles are not the trap — these stay decent until about 184,000 miles, longest in this set — so an ugly odometer is a weak reason to walk. Sort the car on tires, a code scan, and the test drive: tire wear shows up most, active error codes matter next, and vibration, cracked bushings, and steering pull tend to arrive together. A repainted panel is ordinary, not a deal killer. Structural repair is rare, so that finding justifies walking or a hard cut. Shot tires, live codes, or a pull or shake are your leverage; a straight, quiet car with a clean scan is worth keeping.
FAQ
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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 (35%), active error codes (17%), vibration (10%).
Thinking of buying a Tesla? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 83 inspections · updated Nov 10, 2026
