Over the past decade, Tesla has become the most prominent automaker in the world. The company has shown that battery-driven cars can be feasible and has ushered in an era of electric cars. But new technologies can be finicky, and reliability is important to many. So will a Tesla last ten years?
The average Tesla will have no trouble lasting 10 years plus without major repairs. Battery degradation is the main area of concern. However, Tesla batteries have proved durable and have recorded just 10% degradation after 200,000 miles.
Of course, it’s unlikely that every single Tesla made will last that long, but they are very well designed and engineered and have proved their ability to go the distance.
One can actually check this answer for themselves. The original Model S first appeared in 2012, almost ten years ago. Looking at the used market, we can find examples from that time still running. Electric powertrains are much simpler than gasoline powertrains.
Less maintenance and fewer moving parts lead to fewer potential issues in the future. The real thing to watch out for when it comes to longevity is the battery. As years go on, a Tesla battery will be able to hold less of a charge.
Which Tesla is the Most Reliable?
The most reliable Tesla is the Model 3. Thankfully it is also the cheapest Tesla available. According to Consumers Report, the Model 3 is able to hold average reliability ratings but still garners a recommendation.
While issues with the powertrain aren’t unheard of, Tesla’s problem areas are with the fit and finish of their cars. Tesla is still an automaker that is trying to grow its production capacities quickly. Electric cars have been coming out of production facilities at a rapid pace. Unfortunately, this has led to oversights.
The most famous of which has been the panel gaps found in many new models due to misaligned bodywork. Waterproof sealing can be left out entirely, and trim pieces within the interior can come loose. The most infamous of all is the falcon doors found on the Model X. While allowing for a dramatic entrance, these doors have been a headache for owners and Tesla alike.
Frequent issues with seals and mechanics have made many doors leaky at best, and inoperable at worst. That being said, thanks to the simplification of the powertrain when going electric, major drivetrain components fair better.
How Far Can a Tesla Go?
How far a Tesla can go will be entirely dependent on what model and year Tesla you are driving. The brand has always been a leader when it came to electric car ranges. Every Tesla currently offered and that has been offered for the past number of years is capable of going over 300 miles.
The Model S tops out at 405 miles, and the Model X can go 351 miles. The Model 3 can go 358 miles, and the Model Y can go up to 330 miles. All of these ranges are far above what the average driver travels in a single day.
It is important to note that getting a Tesla with larger wheels will negatively affect range. This is the same for gasoline cars as well but is more visible when looking at the EV range. As an example, optioning the Model S with 21” wheels decreases the range from 405 to 375 miles.
Tesla Battery Degradation
The limiting factor for most electric vehicle lifespans will be battery degradation. Whether it’s the rechargeable batteries in your remote or the thousand-pound battery on the floor of your EV, all of them will have trouble keeping a charge over time. All Tesla can do is try to create battery chemistries that can minimize this degradation.
Thankfully, they seem to be doing a good job at that. In the company’s “2020 Impact Report” they stated that their average battery still had about 90% of its original capacity after 200,000 miles (322,000 km) of use.
A community-recorded survey also shows a similar degradation. Data sourced from various Tesla owners have shown a trend of 10% loss between 150,000 and 200,000 miles. This data can be seen by all in a spreadsheet.
Of course, not all batteries will be created the same. Like all things, there can be some outliers. There may be instances in which a Tesla can lose almost 10% of its capacity in less than 30,000 miles.
Avoid Supercharging Constantly
The Tesla Supercharger network is a wonderful perk of owning a Tesla. The network has expanded to cover almost the entire population of the US. It also provides a faster way to charge a Tesla when compared to home charging. If one is driving a newer Tesla and using the newest version Supercharger, then a sufficient charge can be had in as little as 20 minutes. This is great when going on long road trips or needing to be somewhere in a hurry, but it’s not the best for the battery.
Rapid charging and discharging are detrimental to a battery’s health. If Supercharging at 120kW or more is the primary source of charging, then the Tesla battery will degrade at a faster than normal rate. Strongly consider charging at home if you can. The charge will happen slower, but it will be more gentle on the battery, plus it’s cheaper.
With most charges being able to be done overnight, one should be able to wake up to a full charge. Additionally, it also helps to keep the battery charge within a range. Most owners will recommend keeping the charge between 20% and 80%.
Some will push the boundaries to 10% and 90%. But one thing is for sure, if maintaining battery health is a priority, avoid charging all the way to 100% and running the battery all the way down to 0%. When charging a Tesla, a custom percentage limit can be set to have the charge finish.
What is the Tesla Warranty?
As with many new cars, a new Tesla comes with a standard 4-year or 50,000-mile limited warranty. The battery will, however, have its own warranty. Different models will have their battery warranties last a different amount of miles.
For the Model S and X, the warranty lasts 8 years or 150,000 miles. For the Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive, this goes down to 8 years or 100,000 miles. The other Model 3 and Model Y variants have battery warranties of 8 years or 120.000 miles.
The warranty will cover any defects or issues found with the battery and drive unit. It will also cover battery degradation. If the battery degrades past 70% of its original capacity in the specified time span, then it will also be covered by the warranty.
When buying a used Tesla directly from Tesla, an additional warranty is applied. Following the expiration of the original 4 years or 50,000-mile warranty, an additional 1 year or 10,000-mile warranty is added. If the used Tesla is already out of warranty, then the used Tesla warranty is applied upon delivery. Used Teslas retain their battery and drive unit warranty without any additions.
If you’re considering buying a used Tesla it’s worth investing a few dollars to check the VIN number against the vehicle database. An audit with a company like VinAudit (links to VinAudit) will guard against Mileage fraud, Salvage rebuilds, Title washing, Vin cloning, and a ton of other uglies.
According to Tesla's 2021 impact report, its batteries are designed to last the life of the vehicle, which the company estimates as roughly 200,000 miles in the U.S. and 150,000 miles in Europe.
Testing agency GTÜ told car magazine Auto Motor und Sport that Tesla's Model 3 electric is a prime candidate for rust, which remains remains an issue on many modern cars, notably electrics.
In the current long-term reliability study, however, which stretches to three full years of ownership, Tesla cars in aggregate would've occupied 28th out 32 places in total with 242 issues per one hundred vehicles reported in the period.
Tesla may be the top dog of the EV revolution, but they are far from problem free. Through numerous vehicle owners reporting to Consumer Reports, it has been shown that even though electric vehicles do not have as many moving parts as an internal combustion engine (ICE) car, they can be much less reliable.
Typically, depending on the car, the most basic battery replacement in Tesla costs between $5,000 and $20,000. For the Model S premium sedan, replacing a Tesla battery costs around $13,000-$20,000. Model 3 entry-level sedan and Model X premium SUV battery replacement can cost at least $13,000 and $14,000, respectively.
Although Tesla provides a rust warranty on the cars, the life of a Tesla should be much longer than the warranty the car manufacturer provides. With aluminium used in both Model S and Model X, rust should not be a problem.
Body Rust Limited Warranty: This covers rust perforation, which occurs when a hole is formed inside outwards due to rusting for up to 12 years/unlimited miles.
The limited lifetime body repair warranty includes repairs for cracking, flaking, pitting, and deterioration of body parts but excludes damage caused by rust. The limited lifetime paint repair warranty includes repairs for peeling and cracking of paint or topcoat, and loss of gloss caused by hazing.
Insurance on a Tesla tends to be more expensive than for most other vehicles. That's because the company's models tend to be involved in a higher-than-average number of accidents and cost a comparatively large amount to repair or replace.
Germany's ADAC, which is the largest automobile club in Europe, published the results of its latest reliability study, which analyzes vehicle breakdowns and their causes in 2022, and the Tesla Model 3 ranked at the top of the chart.
Are Teslas expensive to fix? Yes, Tesla vehicles are quite expensive to fix. According to RepairPal, the average yearly Tesla maintenance cost is about $832 per year. The average among all car brands was a much lower $652 per year.
Steep price – "The initial investment for a Tesla can be steep," he notes. Prices for a base model start at about $40,000 and go up to well over $120,000. Charging can take time – A full charge can take 30-60 minutes at a Tesla Supercharger compared to about 5 minutes for a gas-powered vehicle.
Tesla still has to charge a relatively high price for its vehicles - it has to maintain high margins. Tesla can undercut most of the competition and make good margins, but its vehicles are still expensive.
Tesla's U.S. EV share subsequently fell from nearly three-quarters of the market in January 2022 to just over half in January 2023. Within that same time frame, General Motors' EV market share grew from 0.1% to 9.9%, and Ford's foothold grew to 8.4%.
Compared to regular gas-powered vehicles, Teslas depreciate at a slower rate. One of the main reasons why Teslas retain their value even several years after initial purchase is their mileage range. Most Teslas will last over 500,000 miles, while the average person drives only 13,500 miles yearly.
How often does a Tesla battery need to be replaced? There haven't been many electric cars that needed battery replacement, but according to Elon Musk, your Tesla batteries last for 300,000 to 500,000 miles, or 1,500 battery cycles. That's around 22 to 37 years for someone driving an average of 40 miles a day.
Tesla warranty coverage means that, as long as your Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty period is still active, your original battery will be repaired or replaced for free if it is defective—note that defects are different from damage due to normal use.
Unlike gasoline cars, Tesla vehicles require no traditional oil changes, fuel filters, spark plug replacements or emission checks. Even brake pad replacements are rare because regenerative braking returns energy to the battery, significantly reducing wear on the brakes.
Depending on the model, it costs between $9.62 to $18.30 to fully charge a Tesla. Teslas have a unique charging port and charger, but you can also use a J1772 adapter to charge at most EV charging stations.
These are elegant cars that are also an investment; protecting your Tesla's paint job before it experiences damage will preserve its appearance longer, maintain its resale value, and ultimately save you money on repairs and maintenance further down the road.
You can safely wash your Tesla using either of the two methods described above, hand washing or touchless car washes. Both methods require you to follow some manufacturer-supplied instructions. Here is a detailed list of what you should do when cleaning your Tesla.
The answer is a resounding yes! Tesla vehicles are some of the most beautiful cars on the road, but they are also extremely expensive. The cost of repairing or repainting a Tesla can be prohibitive, which is why it is important to protect your investment with Paint Protection Film or Ceramic Coatings.
Yes.When you buy a new vehicle, it has a car rust warranty. Most warranties include corrosion coverages, although the meaning of "corrosion" varies from warranty to warranty. Therefore, it is essential that you have a solid idea of what to expect.
warranty coverage. On Twitter, Elon Musk explained that Tesla car batteries should last for 300,000 to 500,000 miles or 1,500 battery charge cycles. That's between 22 and 37 years for the average car driver, who, according to the Department of Transportation (DOT), drives 13,476 miles per year.
Car insurance is intended to protect against sudden, unexpected damage. Since so many causes of rust damage are due to negligence, auto insurance typically won't cover rust that appears on your vehicle.
Damage to your vehicle that occurs over time, including rust that develops, will not be covered by your full coverage auto insurance policy. This is because rust is considered to be normal wear and tear, which all insurance companies specifically exclude from their full coverage policies.
Tesla vehicles do not come with a lifetime warranty. Each new Tesla is covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty which lasts for 4 years/50,000 miles. Used cars are covered for the remainder of the limited factory warranty plus an additional year of coverage of 1 year/10,000 miles.
Do Teslas need a lot of maintenance? No, Teslas don't need much maintenance compared to standard vehicles. Tesla vehicles have fewer moving parts, and you don't have to do regular fluid changes or deal with a combustion engine.
Tesla cars are expensive to insure because they are expensive to buy and repair. Teslas have especially high collision coverage costs due to their high repair and maintenance costs, which are more expensive than other luxury or electric vehicles. Teslas can only be repaired at Tesla-approved body repair shops.
The group found that Model S, 3, and X drivers have annual household incomes that average $151,096, $133,879, and $146,623, respectively. Meanwhile, the median household income in the US is $70,784, according to 2021 data from the US Census Bureau. Tesla drivers are also likely to own a home.
The Tesla Model S and Model X are projected to retain their value better than class rivals over a five-year period of ownership. According to the latest report by Kelley Blue Book, which was shared by Teslarati, both the flagship Tesla Model S sedan and Model X SUV earned the awards for Best Resale Value in 2023.
Tesla vehicles are stable even in the winter. They have a battery farm underneath the vehicle which gives it a widely disperesed center of gravity that is heavy. A Tesla vehicle won't slide as much and is a little heavier, making it slide less.
Tesla vehicles are unquestionably unique. Their unique nature has some drivers questioning, “Can I visit a local mechanic for Tesla services?” While some issues will require Tesla's in-house services, most can be completed by a local mechanic shop.
Brake pads often last 30,000 to 40,000 miles. Factors like frequent highway driving and smooth braking can help your brake pads last longer. If you often haul heavy loads or ride your brakes, your brake pads may wear out sooner.
What is the yearly cost of driving a Tesla? If you calculate the average of all Tesla models, it costs $614.95 to charge per year. Comparable gas-powered cars cost an average of $1,850.42 to fuel per year. So, Teslas cost approximately $1,235 less to drive each year than gas vehicles.
Here's what we recommend. Tesla just did some drastic price cuts. Now is the perfect time to buy your 2023 Tesla Model Y if you are in the market for one. The Tesla Model Y long range is $52,990 as a base price and if you buy it before March 2023, the price becomes $45,490.
In summary, owning a Tesla car has many benefits, such as a smaller carbon footprint, increased performance, advanced technology, and social status. If you're looking for an eco-friendly, high-tech performance car, a Tesla could be the perfect car for you.
Consumer Reports recently published its updated reliability report pertaining to the most unreliable electric vehicles on the market today. As has been the case in the past, the Tesla Model S and Tesla Model X are both on the top 10 list.
It accelerates fast. One of the key features of an electric car is its acceleration, and Tesla is no exception. The company's Model S, for example, can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in 1.99 seconds. And its Model X SUV can do it in 3.8 seconds – or 2.5 seconds with plaid mode engaged.
Tesla continues to dominate EV sales, with 65.4% of the EV market. However, that is down from 68.2% in 2021 and 79.4% in 2020. With the market growing, Tesla is still rapidly growing its vehicle sales despite its loss of market share.
If yesterday you bought either a Tesla Model S or Model X at full price, you might not be too happy to read this: Tesla has once again introduced significant price cuts. The latest move sees the starting prices of the 2023 Model S and '23 Model X drop by roughly $5000 and $10,000, respectively.
Tesla slashes price again, with brand-new cars now starting under $40,000. Tesla has implemented another wave of price cuts across its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. It's the second time this month, resulting in its electric cars starting under $40,000 before incentives.
According to Elon Musk: Tesla batteries are built to last for the full lifespan of your car: between 200,000 and 500,000 miles. The average person drives 273 miles a week, so you can expect your Tesla battery to last anywhere from 15 to 35 years, depending on your driving habits.
On Twitter, Elon Musk explained that Tesla car batteries should last for 300,000 to 500,000 miles or 1,500 battery charge cycles. That's between 22 and 37 years for the average car driver, who, according to the Department of Transportation (DOT), drives 13,476 miles per year.
Over five years of time, the range has increased from 220 miles to 272 miles of range with the most efficient tires you can get. You may also be interested in: Tesla Model S Plaid review after 20,000 miles.
According to RepairPal, the average Tesla maintenance cost is $832 per year. That compares to an average of $652 per year for all car models sold in the United States. Depending on which services your Tesla needs, you may end up spending much more than the average car owner on yearly maintenance needs.
While there is some variation from year to year, it seems that a car loses around 1% of range a year for the first 7 years or so, but then the rates increases. By ten years of age, cars were down to 82.5% of the original capacity.
Unlike gasoline cars, Tesla vehicles require no traditional oil changes, fuel filters, spark plug replacements or emission checks. Even brake pad replacements are rare because regenerative braking returns energy to the battery, significantly reducing wear on the brakes.
This means that you should consider your driving habits, the distance you drive regularly, and how well you take care of your Tesla batteries. However, you should still expect your Tesla batteries to last at least 300,000 to 500,000 miles before they're due for a replacement.
But the jury is still out, and replacement parts for Teslas are known to be quite expensive. So if you do buy a used Tesla, consider 200,000 miles as a cut-off.
Tesla revealed the average battery capacity (and range) degradation for its electric cars in its new Impact Report 2022. According to the company, the average battery capacity loses after 200,000 miles (322,000 km) is 12 percent of the original capacity.
The price of an electric vehicle battery replacement is mostly dependent on the model and age of the vehicle, but there is good news regarding replacing the electric car batteries in a Tesla. First, the entire battery pack doesn'/ca/en/t need to be replaced.
The drive motors in a Tesla are generally considered to be good for up to a million miles, but there are not any vehicles with that many miles on them yet so it is hard to determine. Currently, the highest mileage tesla in the world has over 750,000 miles on it and it is still running well.
Is it free to charge a Tesla at a charging station? No, it isn't free to charge a Tesla at a charging station. Charging your Tesla at a Supercharger comes with a price, typically around 26 cents per kWh. This is often more expensive than using a different means of charging, such as a 120-volt or 240-volt outlet.
Introduction: My name is Margart Wisoky, I am a gorgeous, shiny, successful, beautiful, adventurous, excited, pleasant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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