Is it better to buy a new Model 3 or a used Model S for the same price? Our guide to making the right choice

The Tesla Model 3 starts today at a price similar to some Tesla Model S on the used market. Although it may be tempting to favor the luxurious second-hand sedan, you should not make a mistake when purchasing. We will see together the different versions available, those to avoid, and the possible costs to anticipate on used Tesla Model S.

With the disappearance of the 2024 ecological bonus for the Tesla Model 3, the American brand finds itself in a particular situation. Tesla Model Y costs only 1,000 euros more than the Model 3, which may discourage some buyers from taking the step of the electric sedan.

However, with greater autonomy, lower consumption and a sportier profile, those who do not wish to drive an electric SUV have every interest in considering the Model 3.

But a new competitor that we perhaps did not expect has gradually emerged as an interesting alternative: the Tesla Model S. Of course, this is not the new, latest generation Tesla Model S. , whose starting price is around 100,000 euros, but rather certain occasions with more or less mileage, which display a much lower selling price, sometimes even under 30,000 euros.

Be careful, however, behind certain attractive prices there are vehicles for which there will be costs to be expected, which could quickly increase the bill. Let’s take a look at what’s a good deal and what’s not, as well as the pros and cons of a used Model S versus a new Model 3.

New Tesla Model 3: a newly renewed vehicle

It will not have escaped your attention that the Tesla Model 3 received a facelift only a few months ago. Indeed, on September 1, 2023, the famous Model 3 Highland showed the end of its hood. We are not going to go into detail about all the new features of this model, but simply recall in broad terms what makes the strength of Tesla’s entry-level sedan.

Of course, the first strong point is its price: 42,990 euros at the time of writing these lines, for the Model 3 Propulsion. With a 60 kWh battery, a maximum charging power of 175 kW and a WLTP range of 554 kilometers, it remains one of the market benchmarks. For those who want either more power or a 4-wheel drive car, the Tesla Model 3 Grande Autonomie (which we tested here) is available from 50,990 euros, and has a WLTP range of 678 kilometers. The charging power this time goes up to 250 kW, and we will see that this is a big advantage compared to the old Tesla Model S.

Unfortunately, the new Tesla Model 3 does not come with advantages, especially when compared to the flagship of Elon Musk’s company. First of all, the trunk of the Tesla Model 3 is not a hatchback but a trunk, and therefore comes with its share of constraints, especially if you want to transport bulky objects. In addition, this generation of Tesla no longer has ultrasonic parking sensors, or even switches behind the steering wheel, which may pose a problem for some. Finally, Model 3 obliges, there is no screen behind the steering wheel for instrumentation. This is to be reserved for the Model S.

The Tesla Model S is a more premium vehicle

The Tesla Model S is the spearhead of the brand. Its CEO, Elon Musk, makes no secret of it, frequently recalling that it is probably the best car ever made. If this statement is necessarily debatable, there is no doubt that it outperforms the Tesla Model 3 in many comparisons. First of all, it is a longer car (4.97 meters compared to 4.69 meters for the Model 3), and therefore more spacious. Its rear trunk is a real hatchback, offering a useful volume of 804 liters, or 43% more than its little sister the Model 3.

In addition, we find air suspensions on the Tesla Model S, ensuring much more high-end comfort. The roughness of the road can be smoothed out more easily, and both the driver and passengers will inevitably find their way around. Also, the acceleration performance of a Tesla Model S is above what a Tesla Model 3 Populsion can offer (6.1 seconds for 0 to 100 km/h): count 5.4 seconds for a Model S 75 D from 2018 to reach 100 km/h, or only 3 seconds for a P90D from 2016.

Finally, the Tesla Model S benefits from a screen behind the steering wheel for the entire instrumentation part, while the central screen is in vertical format (it is only since the 2021 versions that the central screen is in landscape format) is slightly inclined towards the driver, for greater practicality. Depending on the years and mileage, some used Tesla Model S can now be found at a very attractive price. But doesn’t this hide unsuspected costs?

Non-warranty costs that must be anticipated

Like any used car, a second-hand Tesla Model S may no longer be guaranteed by the manufacturer. Tesla’s limited warranty on its vehicles distinguishes between two cases:

• The standard limited warranty covers the vehicle for 4 years or 80,000 km, whichever comes first;
• The battery and powertrain warranty covers items for 8 years or 240,000 km, whichever comes first, with a minimum retention of 70% of battery capacity during the warranty period.

This is only valid for vehicles currently sold. Indeed, on Tesla Model S sold before 2020, and having a battery of more than 70 kWh, the warranty on the battery and the powertrain is 8 years, with unlimited mileage. In other words, the battery of a 2017 Tesla Model S with 500,000 kilometers on the clock is still guaranteed in 2024, just like its engines.

This way, you can be reassured, at least for a while longer, about the possibility of an engine failure or battery cells that are at the end of their life. On the other hand, all the rest of the equipment and components prone to breakdowns will be at your expense: shock absorbers, malfunctioning door handles, or replacement of suspension wishbones are all classic breakdowns on older generations of Model S. On the forums specialists, it is often these elements which are highlighted as being the most frequent sources of breakdowns.

In addition, we can mention two other elements that may have to be paid, depending on whether the previous owner did it or not: the CCS retrofit and the MCU change. The CCS retrofit – almost essential today – is a combination of an adapter to plug into the CCS cable of a charging station, and programming to be done by Tesla on the vehicle: count on 262 euros. Once this is done, you will be able to recharge your Tesla Model S on all CCS combo terminals in Europe, and thus benefit not only from V3 Superchargers, but also from all the fast charging networks of other operators (Ionity, Fastned, Totalenergies and consorts).

Finally, upgrading the infotainment system seems essential to us (1,500 or 2,000 euros depending on the case). To put it simply, it’s about having a more efficient on-board computer and a smoother interface on the central screen, which still remains the centerpiece of a Tesla Model S. The first models are really starting to show the impact , and to avoid having a very slow interface, it is better to budget for this upgrade.

Used Tesla Model S: which configuration should you buy?

A little research on the leboncoin classifieds site shows that between 20,000 and 40,000 euros, there is currently a choice of Tesla Model S. To detect the rare gem, it is necessary to look in the details, more than in the years and mileage. To filter according to your criteria, in particular by battery size (60, 70, 75, 85, 90 or 100 kWh) and find your way through the names used, do not hesitate to consult our file dedicated to Tesla jargon.

For example, those with free Supercharging for life may be relevant for heavy riders, or those who don’t have the power to charge at home, but have Superchargers nearby. This is the assurance of free driving for the entire remaining life of the vehicle. It’s stupid to say, but if you save 4,000 euros in fuel per year, and a used Model S purchased for 24,000 euros lasts you 6 years, you will still have made a positive financial transaction compared to a thermal car.

One way to spot the more recent Tesla Model S is at the grille: after 2016, a restyling removed the black oval grille that we knew, for a more modern look. These vehicles are possibly more expensive, but may also have significant improvements such as improved Autopilot – automatic overtaking, automatic exit, automatic parking.

Also remember to check that certain packs are included, such as the freezing climate pack which includes certain essential comfort functions in winter (heated steering wheel, heated seats), and if you are interested in the dual on-board charger option, which allows you to charge using alternating current at a power of 22 kW.

Finally, and probably most important, the repair history must be considered. For parts that are known to break down after a certain time (handles in particular) or wear out quite quickly on older Model S (ball joints, gimbals), knowing that the previous owner has already had to make a replacement is quite reassuring. . The probability of it falling on you again during the next tens of thousands of kilometers is therefore relatively low.

In the end, what should you choose?

As you will have understood, you have to be attentive on the second-hand market to find a Tesla Model S that stands out from the crowd. We can currently find many that have between 200,000 and 400,000 kilometers at a price much lower than that of a new Tesla Model 3 RWD. However, with vehicles dating from 2017 or earlier, there has been a technological leap that is difficult to fill. Charging is much faster on the new Tesla Model 3, and consumption is 20 to 30% lower. This combination means that long journeys of several hundred kilometers are faster in a Tesla Model 3and by far.

Additionally, buying a new Model 3 ensures you have a warranty on the entire vehicle for the next 4 years (or the first 50,000 miles, whichever comes first), while some repairs may cost more. a third of the price of a used Model S. What’s more, the overwhelming majority of new software updates no longer apply to older Tesla vehicles, which only have minor or security updates.

However, the Tesla Model S retains a big advantage for people who need a large useful volume, and possibly more than 5 seats. In fact, there are some Model S on the market with two additional seats in the trunk, which can be helpful when you have to transport more than 3 children. And whatever we say, certain Model S purchased in 2024 for less than 30,000 euros will not need any maintenance for several years, and associated with free Supercharging, it may take many years before arriving at a cost similar to that of a new Model 3 at 42,990 euros.

Some heavy drivers are very happy with their Tesla Model S, which has the added advantage of being much less common than the Tesla Model 3, as the smaller sedan has been a success since its arrival in Europe. We could finally brandish the ecological aspect of purchasing a second-hand electric car: the carbon footprint being mainly impacted by the manufacturing of the car and its battery, buying a used electric car is a much more important act. reasonable.