Tesla Service UK / Guides / Which Tesla Quiz
Which Tesla should I buy?
A few honest questions to point you toward the right model for your actual situation, not just the newest one.
Last fact-checked: . General guidance — always check your own model's specifics and current official sources before relying on it for a decision.
Budget first
Start with a realistic budget, including running costs
Before comparing models, work out a realistic total budget including insurance (see our insurance guide, since this varies more by model than many buyers expect), home charging setup if needed, and — if buying new — how UK price changes over a model's life might affect resale timing. A model that's a stretch to buy but comfortable to run beats one that's affordable to buy but strains your budget on insurance and running costs.
Use case
Match the model to what you'll actually use it for
Daily commuting with occasional long trips suits a different model and battery size than genuine everyday long-distance driving. If you regularly carry more than two passengers, need to tow (see our towing guide), or want third-row seating, that narrows the field considerably before styling or performance preferences even come into it. Be honest about your actual typical use rather than the occasional edge case you might use to justify a bigger, more expensive model.
New vs used
New, used, or wait for the next update?
See our dedicated new vs used vs wait page for the fuller trade-off, but as a starting principle: a used model from a well-established production run often offers better value than the newest available variant, unless a specific new feature genuinely matters to your use case rather than just being new.