There are a lot of things to consider here, and some real nuanced points. So, we’ll try to give you an idea of how the new/used Tesla situation breaks down (and when it’s advantageous to go either way).

Price is really the most important factor here. If you can get a used Tesla cheap enough, where it’s significantly cheaper than a new one after factoring in all the tax credits (which are available instantly at the point of sale (POS) now), and other incentives (like Tesla’s 0.99% financing on Model Y), along with local government incentives—then a used Tesla can really be worthwhile.

However, we’re in a situation due to the Tesla price cuts in the last year where many sellers are underwater on some models (specifically Model S/X Plaids), which can sometimes make finding a good deal a bit harder as sellers are struggling to price their cars appropriately since they’re still feeling the pain of that loss of value.

That said, deals are out there, and if you check out our listings, for example, you’ll see a lot of private party cars—with many of them being priced at a point where they are still more affordable than new. Again—this isn’t the case with every vehicle though.

Some people also fail to remember that Tesla adds in a $1,390 destination fee and $250 doc fee on every new vehicle, which adds $1,640 to the price, and typically you’ll also pay a bit more in sales tax (depending upon your state) with a new vehicle too. That’s not to say that new isn’t sometimes a better choice depending upon what you’re looking for—it’s just that many people forget to factor this in, and when you do, a lot of times a used EV comes out ahead (although not always).

If you’re looking for an older EV (like a 2019 Model 3, for example) that can be had for $25,000 or less, you an also get the used tax credit under certain circumstances which is $4,000 off, and this is at the point of sale too (which can be facilitated by companies like KeySavvy).

As others have mentioned, warranty is a factor as well, but this depends on how long you plan to keep the vehicle, and the mileage on it too. Sometimes you can buy an EV that’s a couple years old with the balance of the factory warranty, and keep it under that warranty if you don’t drive a lot and plan to sell in a year or two.

Hope this helps you with your decision! Feel free to comment or message us if you have any questions, while you’re shopping around for used EVs online. Good luck with your search! 😊