Top 5 Tips to Avoid Getting Ripped Off on a Used Tesla + Must-Have Accessories
Hey everyone, DennisCW here! The used Tesla market is wild right now—prices are skyrocketing, as you can see from the trend lines on CarGurus. If you're hunting for a used Tesla, you don't want to get burned. I've got your back with my top 5 tips to ensure you buy smart, plus the top 3 must-have accessories to level up your new ride. Let's dive in!
Top 5 Tips for Buying a Used Tesla
1. Check Battery Health (The Easy Way)
Battery health is king for EVs. No need for a full service center scan (which takes 24 hours). Simply ask the seller to charge it to 100% and check the displayed range. Compare it to the original EPA range for that model—anything significantly lower is a red flag. Bonus: Tesla's battery warranty transfers to the second owner (8 years/100-150k miles depending on the model).
2. Get a Pre-Purchase Inspection
If you're buying from a third-party (like Facebook Marketplace), find a Tesla/EV specialist for a PPI. Shoutout to my buddy Chip at Hybrid and Electric Car Sales in Tennessee—he does thorough inspections and flags issues you might miss. Worth every penny!
3. Demand Carfax or Autocheck Reports
Standard for any used car, but crucial here. If the seller won't spring for the $20-30 report? Red flag. Walk away.
4. Price It Right
Check market lows and wholesale values (e.g., Carvana, Plug). Sellers have two options: sell to you or auction it off. Aim just above wholesale for a steal. Market's hot, but deals exist!
5. Use a Paint Meter
Grab one on Amazon for cheap. It measures paint thickness—too thick means repaints from accidents. Don't skip this!
Pro Tip: Nervous buyer or first-time Tesla owner? Buy directly from Tesla for an extra year of warranty. Or go new—financing as low as 0-0.99% with full warranty coverage.
Planning to sell your Tesla or EV? Check out Plug in the description—they offer thousands more than competitors, with quotes in 15 minutes and pickup in 2 days. We've seen $3k-$6k over trade-ins!
Top 3 Must-Have Tesla Accessories
Congrats on your Tesla! Now, accessories. I bucket these into phone mounts, all-weather floor mats, and center consoles.
#1: All-Weather Floor Mats (My Absolute Favorite)
Tesla floors get messy—protect them! Options:
- Good: Amazon basics.
- Better: Tesmanian.
- Best: 3W Liners on our Model X and Model 3 Performance. Use my promo code (in description) for premium quality at competitive prices.
#2: Center Console
Tesla skips this—don't! Jowua is what we use on all our cars. Game-changer.
#3: Phone Mount
Secure charging and navigation. Links in description.
Full list + discount codes on our Best Deals Spreadsheet (Page 2). Thanks to everyone using our links—it supports the channel!
What’s your top tip or accessory? Drop a comment below, like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more Tesla goodness. Drive safe!
-DennisCW
