Buying A Used Tesla Model S? Here Are Some Issues To Look Out For

Here are some common problems to watch out for when purchasing a used Tesla Model S

Tavarish from the YouTube channels Tavarish and 2Varish spends his time modifying and repairing high-powered sports cars, primarily of the combustion engine variety. So it came as a surprise when his friend Rex bought a low-mileage 2016 Tesla Model S 90D for only $17,000. 

While electric vehicles have been proven to be very reliable, there is always a risk when purchasing used. This particular car has had no obvious issues other than very low speaker volume. But you never know what long-term problems might be lurking beneath the hood. Since both men are new to electric vehicles, they decide to take it to the nearby Electrified Garage for a thorough inspection of the Model S. 

Before getting to their inspection, Chris from Electrified Garage goes over a few common failure points for this generation of Tesla. The Model S suspension bushings can quickly wear out due to the vehicle’s weight and soft suspension. On the front suspension, the ball joints will frequently shear.

Another suspension pain point is with Teslas equipped with air suspension. While the coil suspension is reliable, the air suspension is often problematic due to leaks. This can cause vehicle errors when one side of the car rises slightly higher than the other. Getting it back in a driveable state will require a technician. 

Another important thing to consider is making sure the air conditioning is functioning properly. The AC pulls double duty by not only cooling the cabin but also the battery pack. This can lead to slow supercharging speeds or even a failure to charge. So if the AC on a Model S is not cooling well or has stopped functioning entirely, it’s best to have the problem addressed immediately. If not for your personal comfort then for the vehicle’s health.

Chris says you should also shoot for a 2016 Model S or newer. The second generation of batteries are quite reliable and he has frequently seen cars with well over 150,000 miles. While the first-generation batteries from older models are more problematic.

If you do buy an out-of-warranty Model S that develops battery issues, find a shop that specializes in battery repair rather than taking it to Tesla. If they’re unable to repair the pack, they can potentially source a used or refurbished pack. In almost every case, it will be cheaper than getting the entire pack replaced by Tesla. 

Luckily for Rex, that isn’t likely to be an issue with his Model S anytime soon. After a thorough inspection, his car is in about the best shape you could hope. According to the technician inspecting the vitals and battery health, “It’s pretty clean dude, somebody took care of it.” 

In the end, there were only two minor issues that needed to be addressed. The car had occasional disconnection issues with the key fob which should be fixable by a simple fob reprogramming or part replacement. 

The low speaker volume ended up being even less work and was not an issue with the car at all. An aftermarket amplifier had been installed and the ground wire had come loose. After replacing the ground, the speakers were back to working perfectly.

Suddenly, a gearhead who never took much interest in electric cars is thinking about a lightly used Model S Plaid for himself. “It’s insane that you can get this kind of car for the money.” Said Tavarish after getting behind the wheel and running repeated 0-60 sprints. “So if I get a (used) Plaid, that probably has some miles and needs some stuff, I could probably get one like 60? But even at 60, that’s the fastest accelerating car.”

Gallery: Tesla Model S

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