Tesla Trade-In: How It Works and What to Expect

Tesla takes most cars, trucks, vans and SUVs, gas or electric, toward a new or Certified Pre-Owned Tesla. You get an estimate before you order, the real offer after, and you hand the car over at delivery.

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The catch: the estimate ignores damage and mechanical issues. The final offer comes only after you've ordered, so get a second quote first and compare.

The trade-in in five steps

Get an estimateEnter your VIN, odometer mileage, zip code and damage history. Damage isn't counted yet.
Order your TeslaThrough a referral link if it's your first Tesla.
Get the final offerAfter you order, subject to a physical inspection and photos.
Accept and uploadTitle or registration photo; Tesla checks it against NMVTIS.
Hand it off at deliveryBring the title and lien release if you have one.

From Tesla Support: Trade-Ins, checked 14 Oct 2026.

Switching from a gas car? Order your first Tesla through our referral link and get 3 months of FSD (Supervised). Add your trade-in in your Tesla Account after you order. We get a referral credit.

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What Tesla takes, and what it doesn't

✓ Accepted

Passenger cars, trucks, vans and SUVs, gas or electric, toward a new or Certified Pre-Owned Tesla. Cars with a loan or lease too.

✕ Not accepted

Motorcycles, RVs, commercial vehicles, bonded titles, inoperable non-Tesla cars, and Teslas with a salvage, rebuilt or lemon title.

+ 2,000 free Supercharging miles

Possible when you trade a gas or hybrid car for a new Tesla. Tesla says you "may be eligible".

Get ready for the trade-in

Your VIN and odometer reading. Needed for the estimate, with your ZIP and damage history.
Five daylight photos. 4 clear daylight photos of the exterior (driver side, rear, passenger side, front) and 1 of the interior, plus any damage; taken outdoors, not in a garage.
Your payoff amount. Don't pay the loan off early: Tesla says it can delay your delivery.
Title or registration. A physical title is usually needed at delivery if you own the car outright.
A second offer. Get a quote from a dealer or online buyer so you know if Tesla's final offer is fair.

Paying the rest

Your trade-in equity lowers what you finance. See the monthly payment in the Tesla loan calculator, compare a lease, or check a used Tesla instead. Not sure yet? Book a test drive first.

Questions

How does Tesla trade-in work?

Get an estimate with your VIN before you order. The final offer for your trade-in vehicle will be available after you place your order, subject to a physical inspection. If you accept, you hand the car over at your delivery appointment (Tesla Support: Trade-Ins).

How much will Tesla give me for my trade-in?

Tesla doesn't publish values. Its estimate ignores damage, mechanical issues and modifications; those are priced into the final offer after you order. Get a second offer before you accept.

Does Tesla accept non-Tesla trade-ins?

Yes: passenger cars, trucks, vans and SUVs. Internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and electric vehicles (EV) are acceptable for trade-in. We do not accept motorcycles, RVs or commercial vehicles.

Can I trade in a car I still owe money on?

Yes. You can trade in your vehicle if you are still making finance payments. We will calculate and compare the pay-off amount and any equity (positive or negative) that will be added to your Motor Vehicle Purchase Agreement. Negative equity can sometimes be rolled into the new loan, depending on the bank.

Can I trade in a leased car?

Usually, but some lessors don't allow third-party buyouts. Tesla lists Ford/Lincoln, Acura/Honda, Infiniti/Nissan, GM Financial/Chevrolet, Volvo Financial, Southeast Toyota/World Omni Financial, BMW Financial Services/MINI Financial Services, Toyota/Lexus. Call your lessor before you order.

Do I get free Supercharging with a trade-in?

Possibly. Tesla: "If you trade in your gas or hybrid vehicle for a new Tesla vehicle, you may be eligible to receive 2,000 miles of free Supercharging."

Independent fan project. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Tesla, Inc. or SpaceX. Figures checked on 14 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.