Run the VIN for open recallsNHTSA's free lookup shows unrepaired safety recalls for any 17-character VIN. Our Tesla VIN decoder also lists recalls and decodes the build.Source: nhtsa.gov/recalls
Check the battery's healthOn the car: Controls > Service > Battery Health shows Tesla's own estimate. Our battery health test reads it read-only if the seller connects.Source: Tesla owner's manual
Work out the battery warranty left8 years, and 100,000 miles on Model 3 RWD, Model Y RWD and AWD or 120,000 miles on Premium and Performance trims (Model 3 and Model Y), with at least 70% capacity. Use the checker above.Source: Tesla vehicle warranty
Ask how the warranty transfersTesla: "Your New Vehicle Limited Warranty will follow your vehicle and be transferred to the new owner when a vehicle ownership transfer is performed through Tesla." Do the ownership transfer through the Tesla app.Source: Tesla vehicle warranty
Confirm FSD on the car, not the seller's wordTesla now sells FSD (Supervised) only as a $99/mo subscription. A car keeps FSD only if a past owner bought it outright; a subscription doesn't carry over. The transfer program ended 31 Mar 2026.Source: Tesla FSD support
Don't pay extra for 'free Supercharging' you can't verifyTesla says only the registered owner, or a driver they add in the app, can see whether a car has free Supercharging. Ask the seller to add you as a driver before you pay.Source: Tesla Supercharging support
Read the service history in the carControls > Service shows past services. Tesla says the record stays with the car, even after a factory reset.Source: Tesla owner's manual
Price the battery worst caseOut of warranty, a pack replacement is the big risk. See Tesla battery replacement cost before you agree a price.
Plan the ownership transferAdd the car in the Tesla app (My Products, Add Product) with the VIN, your ID and proof of ownership: title, registration or bill of sale.Source: Tesla: add a vehicle
Don't count on a federal tax creditIRS: "The Previously-Owned Clean Vehicle Credit is not available for vehicles acquired after Sept. 30, 2025." State incentives may still apply.Source: IRS used clean vehicle credit
Compare with buying from TeslaTesla Certified Pre-Owned cars get a 115+ point inspection and 1 year / 10,000 miles of extra cover after the basic warranty ends.Source: Tesla Certified Pre-Owned
Tesla depreciation
iSeeCars
Share of the new price lost after 3 and 5 years, per iSeeCars (Model 3, Model Y). Teslas lose value faster than the average car, so a 3-to-5-year-old one is where the discount is.
Older warranty terms can apply to older cars: Tesla says a car keeps the warranty in effect when it was first bought. Confirm yours in the Tesla app.
Open recalls on the VIN, battery health and battery warranty left, whether FSD is on the car, the service history, tires and brakes, and how the ownership and warranty transfer through Tesla. The 12-point checklist above covers each one with its source.
Does the Tesla battery warranty transfer to a used buyer?
Yes. Tesla says the New Vehicle Limited Warranty follows the car "when a vehicle ownership transfer is performed through Tesla". The battery and drive unit cover is 8 years and 100,000 or 120,000 miles depending on trim.
Does FSD transfer when you buy a used Tesla?
Only if a previous owner bought FSD outright. A subscription ends with the old owner, and new FSD is $99/mo. Check under Controls > Software on the car itself.
How fast do Teslas depreciate?
iSeeCars puts five-year depreciation at 53.6% for Model 3 and 55.4% for Model Y, against 41.7% for all vehicles. That's bad for the first owner and good for you.
Is there still a tax credit for a used Tesla?
No federal one. The IRS says the used clean vehicle credit is not available for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025.
Independent fan project. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Tesla, Inc. or SpaceX. Figures checked on 12 Oct 2026 from the linked official pages; they change, and your address or account can change them. Not a quote. Referral links are ours: we get the referrer reward if you order.
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