Used Tesla Model S Quick Facts
- Improved software and better battery tech make a 2021 or newer Tesla Model S the best choice when buying used.
- Tesla builds the Model S at its Fremont, California, facility.
- Buying a used Model S directly from Tesla that has exceeded its factory warranty includes a one-year/10,000-mile limited warranty.
The Model S debuted in 2012, launching a revolution in electric transportation. Buying a used Model S makes a lot of sense, mainly as Tesla’s habit of making massive price adjustments to its new models significantly affects resale in your favor. Because Tesla performs many over-the-air updates on its vehicles, an older Tesla Model S will give you many of the features that draw buyers to the brand and, in turn, save you a boatload of money. Some Model S years come with lifetime free charging, although Tesla is removing that feature from cars they resell. On the flip side, older Model S cars won’t have some of the latest hardware or autonomous driving features, and their batteries may begin suffering degradation, leading to diminished range.
- What Is the Best Model-Year Used Tesla Model S?
- Tesla Model S Trim Levels Over the Years: Which Should You Buy?
- A Word About Range
- Things to Consider When Buying a Used Tesla Model S
- Does the Model S Hold Its Value?
- How Long Does It Take to Charge a Tesla Model S?
- Where Do I Take My Tesla Model S if It Needs Repair?
- Tesla Model S Years to Avoid?
What Is the Best Model-Year Used Tesla Model S?
We like the 2021 and newer Model S for several reasons. A major overhaul brings notable improvements to its battery, electric motors, hardware, and software. The Long Range is probably the best choice unless you crave ludicrous speed, in which case the Plaid wins. Both feature a 100-kWh battery, which is the powertrain we’d opt for if shopping used. A 90-kWh is also OK, but anything lower is going to limit your range to less than 250 miles.
However, if you’re not worried about range or the latest updates, a few older Model S sedans are worth considering. The 2015-2017 cars came with free unlimited Supercharger access, a transferable feature provided you buy the car from the original owner, not Tesla. A used Tesla sold through the company will likely have this feature deleted. Model S sedans built before 2018 also featured an optional rear-facing third-row seat. Although not practical for adults, it is suitable for transporting kids over short distances.
So you know, Tesla builds several variations of the Model S, with early model years using a number to denote their battery size in kilowatts (60D, P70D, P85, P85D, 90D, P90D, and P100D). The “P” stands for Performance, and the “D” stands for dual-motor, a component of the all-wheel drive (AWD) Model S. After 2019, Tesla simplified the trim names, changing them to Standard Range, Long Range, and Performance.
See used Tesla Model S cars near you.
Tesla Model S Trim Levels Over the Years: Which Should You Buy?
As of 2025, the Model S remains in its first generation with three major update cycles. Model S trims with only a number denote a rear-drive platform. If the number is followed by the letter D, it has dual electric motors, one at the front axle and one at the rear, creating all-wheel drive. The one exception is the Plaid, which features two motors at the rear and one up front.
Over the years, the Model S has seen changes to its standard and optional equipment, but as a luxury sedan, even the most basic version is nicely equipped.
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The newest Model S has just two trims. We’ll list the standard and available features, followed by a chronological breakdown of the running changes since the Model S first launched.
For most people, the Long Range is all the car they’ll need. Its dual-motor setup gives it superior year-round all-wheel drive (AWD) traction, while its adaptive air suspension ensures a smooth ride and impressive cornering capabilities.
The Model S rides on 19-inch alloy wheels and boasts adaptive Matrix LED headlights, a fixed glass roof, a power liftgate, plus auto-dimming and power-folding heated side mirrors.
Where gas-powered cars have an engine, the Model S has a frunk (front trunk), providing additional storage beyond the cabin and rear cargo area.
Standard equipment includes keyless entry with an app that turns your smartphone into a key. A wallet-sized key card allows its owner to unlock and drive the Model S. Other exterior features include rain-sensing wipers and a 360-degree camera system with Sentry Mode.
The Model S interior is an exercise in starkness. Color choices are limited to black (standard), black and white with walnut accents, or cream with walnut. Vegan leather upholstery abounds, covering 12-way adjustable power front seats.
Directly in front of the driver is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with a massive 17-inch center touchscreen to the right. The center screen electrically tilts left or right, making it easier for the driver to see and reach. The touchscreen controls just about every feature inside the Model S, including the heated and ventilated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, navigation, and infotainment.
There are two wireless charging pads in the front console and USB-C fast charge ports for every passenger.
Rear passengers enjoy heated seats in all three positions and a 9.4-inch touchscreen with 10 teraflops of processing power, ideal for on-road gaming. The setup even includes wireless controller capability. The rear seat also gets a stowable center armrest with integrated wireless charging. Push a button, and the rear seats fold flat, creating a large cargo area easily accommodating a mountain bike, a flat-screen TV purchase, or enough groceries to last two weeks.
Audio reproduction comes from a 22-speaker, 960-watt premium audio system. The Model S streaming arsenal includes FM and SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Google Maps. You won’t have access to SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, or Android Auto. However, you can subscribe to Tesla’s Premium Connectivity service, which adds live traffic visualization, satellite navigation maps, video streaming, Caraoke (Tesla’s version of car karaoke), music streaming, and access to the Google internet browser.
Tesla’s Autopilot comes standard and includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist.
Also standard are automatic high-beam headlights and adaptive cruise control.
Optional upgrades include Enhanced Autopilot, which adds Autopilot, Auto Lane Change, Auto Park, Summon, and Smart Summon. Full self-driving capabilities are an option, although Tesla has yet to deliver on the promise of hands-free driving on any road without driver intervention. Stay tuned.
The Plaid adds torque vectoring, better brakes, and a carbon-fiber spoiler. It also gets a third electric motor at the rear, giving the Plaid a 2-second 0-60-mph time and a top speed of 200 mph.
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Model Year Changes:
2025: Free Tesla Supercharger charging for life returns, but it is not transferable with the vehicle.
2024: For $1,000, Tesla will replace the steering wheel with a steering yoke.
2023: Having made the steering yoke standard, a traditional steering wheel is optional.
2022: No significant changes.
2021: A significant upgrade expands the Long Range travel distance (up to 412 miles), a 1,020-horsepower Plaid trim, a revised exterior, and upgrades to the battery and drivetrain. Free unlimited supercharging deleted.
2020: New features include standard Autopilot, free unlimited supercharging (non-transferable), and 200-kWh V3 Supercharger compatibility for faster charge times.
2019: Tesla changes the Model S trim names to Standard, Long Range, and Performance. A 100-kWh battery is now standard.
2018: The base Model S has a 75-kWh battery and standard all-wheel drive. Unlimited free use of the Tesla Supercharger drops to 400 kWh per year.
2017: Tesla gives the Model S a facelift, full adaptive LED headlights, and a new HEPA cabin filter. A 60-kWh model makes a brief appearance but is terminated by the end of the year.
2016: A new rear-drive 70 trim and a 90-kWh upgrade for the P85D debut. A new Ludicrous mode enables a zero-to-60 mph time of 2.8 seconds.
2015: New software updates bring old models up to spec. The 70D becomes the new base model, and the P85D with Insane mode arrives.
2014: No significant changes.
2013: Over-the-air update ability is now standard.
See used 2012 to current Tesla Model S cars near you.
A Word About Range
The range figures quoted by the manufacturer are EPA estimates based on ideal driving conditions. The EPA’s website also lists the tested range; for example, the 2025 models have a range of up to 410 miles. Remember, range is affected by wheel size. For example, some Tesla Model S Plaid cars with 19-inch wheels have an EPA range of up to 348 miles, while a Plaid with 21-inch wheels has a range of up to 312 miles, as of this writing. Tesla, which no longer offers 21-inch wheels, may expand its range with over-the-air software updates.
Other factors affecting range include how aggressively you push the accelerator pedal. Outdoor temperatures can also affect EV battery range, especially extreme cold or heat. In cold weather, preconditioning the battery helps minimize power loss and won’t drain the battery so long as it’s done when the vehicle is plugged into a charger. Charging times can slow drastically if you don’t precondition the battery pack. Similarly, driving in extreme heat (temperatures over 95 degrees Fahrenheit) consumes more power, as an EV requires power to help cool its battery. Batteries near or at the maximum temperature limits may shut down charging for safety reasons.
Things To Consider When Buying a Used Tesla Model S
Battery Life
The Model S battery is warranted for 8 years or 150,000 miles with a promise to retain 70% battery capacity. Most EV batteries have the potential to last 10 years without much change to charging times or capacity. After 10 years, battery degradation is inevitable, but at what rate is uncertain. Should the battery fail, you’re looking at about $10,000 to $15,000 to replace the packs, which Tesla tends to remanufacture rather than replace. Late-model 2022 and newer Model S EVs have built-in software to test the battery’s health.
RELATED: How to Check Battery Health When Buying a Used EV
Storage and Charging
A garage or covered carport is the best location to store your Tesla Model S. Both are ideal spots for the Tesla home charging unit you’ll want to buy, but a heated garage is optimal as it reduces charging issues when the temperatures drop below zero. A Level 2 home charger costs around $500. However, depending on your home’s electrical setup, installation can run anywhere from $400 to several thousand dollars.
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Long-Term Ownership
Tesla designed the Model S to go well beyond the lifecycle of a normal combustion engine sedan, as much as a million miles. With proper care and maintenance, there’s no reason this figure isn’t doable. And, unlike most gas-powered cars, the Model S EV’s over-the-air updates allow Tesla to resolve many issues with a simple software update.
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Does the Model S Hold Its Value?
The Model S resale values are a moving target. The Model S did not hold great resale value even before the recent controversies involving its founder. Tesla’s habit of dropping new Model S prices, sometimes by thousands of dollars, affects the resale price of its used cars. Demand is also affected by gas prices (higher gas prices tend to drive used shoppers to EVs), economic conditions, and geopolitical considerations. All these factors work in the used car buyer’s favor.
How Long Does It Take to Charge a Tesla Model S?
When using an at-home Level 2 AC charger, the Tesla Model S can reach a full charge in about seven hours. Using a Tesla DC Supercharger, the Model S can receive up to 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes. A 10%-80% charge can be reached in about 30 minutes.
Where Do I Take My Tesla Model S if It Needs Repair?
Like all new cars, the Tesla Model S comes with a transferable warranty, in this case covering four years/50,000 miles for basic coverage and eight years/150,000 miles for the powertrain with a minimum 70% battery capacity over the warranty period.
However, unlike most other manufacturers, which have hundreds of dealerships with service bays, Tesla has a limited number of service locations. Its unique over-the-air update architecture allows many problems to be solved with a simple update, but for hardware repair or replacement, you’ll have to schedule service with one of the roughly 190 service stations throughout the U.S. in 38 states. This can pose a problem if you live in states like Idaho, Montana, West Virginia, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Wyoming, or Arkansas with one or no stations.
Tesla Model S Years to Avoid
The 2013-2016 models have some issues with fit and finish, electrical, and paint. Specific problems include electronic door handles that won’t open, Media Control Unit (MCU) touchscreens that lag or go dark, and suspension failures that prompted a recall. Some early 2013-2014 cars also had issues pertaining to coolant leaks (from the battery pack), shortened range, and paint. After 2018, Tesla fixed most of the bugs, and the 2021 and newer models have superior hardware and software upgrades.
See used Tesla Model S cars near you.
