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Tesla: reliability & common problems

#1 of 24
Longevity rankthe longest-lasting brand we track
~177k
Trouble-free mileageacross all body styles
61
Teslas inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections
71/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/100



Based on 61 used Teslas we inspected, they tend to be in noticeably better shape than the typical used car we inspect — average condition 71/100 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
31%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
21%
Vibration · Drivetrain
10%
Cracked or torn suspension bushings · Suspension
10%
Abnormal noise · Suspension
8%

Share of inspected Teslas where each item was flagged.

How they score

Excellent 26% Good 57% Mediocre 15% 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%
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 ~177k 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: 77% in good shape (13 cars) 40–60k mi: 89% in good shape (9 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: 85% in good shape (13 cars) 3 years old: 80% in good shape (15 cars) 4 years old: 83% in good shape (6 cars) 5 years old: 100% in good shape (6 cars) 6 years old: 100% in good shape (5 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 hold up remarkably well deep into high mileage, so a well-kept higher-odometer example can still be a smart buy if the basics check out. Start every look with a tire inspection and a full electronics scan—those two areas light up most often and are easy negotiation levers or walk-away flags. Next, drive it hard enough to feel for vibration and listen for suspension noise, then crawl underneath for cracked bushings. Bodywork history is cleaner than average, so cosmetic panels matter less than confirming the car still feels tight and code-free.

FAQ
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Is Tesla reliable?
83% of the 61 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.
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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 (31%), active error codes (21%), vibration (10%).
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Based on 61 inspections · updated Aug 1, 2026