Tesla Service UK / Guides / Used Buying Checklist
Buying a used Tesla: the complete checklist
What to actually inspect, ask and verify before you commit — beyond the usual used-car basics.
Last fact-checked: . General guidance — always check your own model's specifics and current official sources before relying on it for a decision.
Documentation
What to check on paper before you even view the car
Full service history (even if informal, since Tesla doesn't require fixed servicing), any accident or repair history, current recall status via GOV.UK using the VIN, and — critically — whether any Autopilot/FSD software package was purchased outright on this specific car (it may not transfer automatically to a new owner depending on how it was originally bought).
On inspection
What to physically check
Beyond the standard used-car checks (panel gaps, tyre wear, service items), specifically test: all four door handles present and retract properly, the main screen for any lag or glitches, Autopilot/driver-assist features actually engaging if the listing claims them, and the charging port and cable for physical damage. Ask to see a recent charge to 100% (or the owner's typical max-charge screenshot) to sense-check quoted range against the car's original rated figure — a like-for-like comparison is the best DIY signal of battery health available to a buyer.
Questions to ask
Questions worth asking the seller directly
Don't be afraid to ask directly:
- Has the 12V battery ever been replaced, and when?
- Any suspension or steering component work done, and where?
- Is any driver-assistance package transferable, or was it a subscription that ends with the sale?
- Can they show the car's original delivery date and rated range for comparison against current max-charge range?
- Any outstanding finance on the vehicle — always check via an official vehicle history check, not just the seller's word.