USED TESLA CHECKLIST

1. HARDWARE VERSION — THE MOST IMPORTANT THING

The hardware version (HW) affects which Autopilot and FSD features a car can run. It is rarely listed, and can vary by model and build date; model year or VIN alone does not confirm the hardware.

2. FSD STATUS — WHAT ACTUALLY TRANSFERS

Full Self-Driving (FSD) was a $5,000–$15,000 option that many sellers assume adds value. The reality is more complicated.

3. BATTERY HEALTH — CHECK THE BATTERY HEALTH TEST

Tesla's Battery Health test reports a battery-health percentage on supported vehicles. Ask the seller to run it and share the result; see the Model 3 Owner's Manual for details.

WHAT TO CHECK

• Ask for the Battery Health test result. The test reports a percentage; use it rather than estimating state of health from displayed range.
• Review charging and battery history. Ask about warning messages, repairs, and any available service records; have concerns assessed by Tesla or a qualified EV technician.
• Treat displayed range as an estimate, not a health measurement. It is affected by configuration and conditions and does not establish battery state of health by itself.

THIRD-PARTY TOOLS

• Recurrent Auto (recurrentauto.com) — Free battery health report if the seller shares their data. Shows actual degradation curve vs. similar vehicles.
• ScanMyTesla — Third-party OBD2 tool for diagnostic data; it is not Tesla's Battery Health test. Requires compatible equipment and owner participation.
• Tesla service records — Ask the seller for available records and contact Tesla about what can be confirmed for the vehicle.

4. SOFTWARE VERSION & CONNECTIVITY

Tesla updates software over Wi-Fi and LTE. A car on a very old software version is a yellow flag.

• Check current SW version: Controls → Software on the touchscreen. Note the version number.
• Compare to current release. Tesla typically releases updates every few weeks. A car that's 6+ months behind may have connectivity issues, a SIM card problem, or may have been kept in offline/demo mode by a dealer.
• Old software ≠ old car. Dealers sometimes put cars in "store mode" which pauses updates. Reconnecting to your account usually resumes normal OTA updates.
• Verify cellular connectivity works. On the car's nav screen, check that it loads live traffic and shows cell signal. Dead cellular = expensive repair (modem replacement).

5. THE 10 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE YOU BUY

• 01
  What hardware version is this car? Ask them to show the Autopilot computer information on Controls → Software; model year or VIN alone does not guarantee the hardware. → If they don't know how to check, that's a red flag about dealer knowledge.
• 02
  Does FSD transfer to me as the new owner? A purchased FSD package may remain with the sold car, or the seller may have moved it to another eligible Tesla. Ask Tesla to confirm what this car includes at delivery. → Tesla's FSD transfer program describes a move between vehicles, not a guarantee to a used-car buyer.
• 03
  What does the range show at 100% charge? Displayed range is not a battery-health percentage. Ask for Tesla's Battery Health test result and review relevant service history. → See the Owner's Manual battery health instructions.
• 04
  Can I see the Tesla service history? Request a printout or ask them to request the service records from Tesla. Shows any battery replacements, high-voltage work, or recurring issues. → You can also request this yourself via Tesla Service Center with the VIN.
• 05
  Has this car been in a collision? Tesla vehicles log collision data internally. A Carfax check covers reported accidents, but Tesla's internal data can reveal minor incidents that weren't reported. → Request a Carfax and check all four corners of the car for panel gap inconsistencies.
• 06
  Does the car have free unlimited Supercharging? Some early cars had this as a promotion. Check the VIN via your Tesla account — it will show if Supercharging is included. → Go to tesla.com/addvehicle and enter the VIN while logged in to your Tesla account.
• 07
  What's the Autopilot mileage vs. total mileage? Check Controls → Autopilot → View Autopilot data (or in service menu). High Autopilot percentage on highway miles is generally fine. Very high Autopilot with low total miles may indicate a fleet/shuttle vehicle.
• 08
  Are there any open recalls? Tesla has had numerous Autopilot and camera-related recalls since 2022. Most were fixed via OTA, but confirm they've been applied. → Check NHTSA VIN lookup: vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/api/vehicles/GetRecallsByVehicleId
• 09
  Has the 12V battery been replaced? Tesla replaced the traditional 12V battery with a lithium-ion unit on newer models. Older cars still use lead-acid. The 12V is a known weak point — ask when it was last replaced or if the car has ever shown a 12V warning.
• 10
  Is there any Supercharger throttling on this VIN? Tesla can throttle DC fast charging on cars that have been subject to abuse, flooding, or certain damage. A service center can confirm whether the car has any charging limitations on its account. → A 30-minute Supercharger session during the test drive will reveal any throttling — watch the peak kW rate.

6. RED FLAGS — WALK AWAY OR NEGOTIATE HARD

• Seller adds a premium for "FSD included" — Confirm with Tesla that FSD will actually remain on this car at delivery. A seller may transfer it away to another eligible vehicle under Tesla's program.
• Dealer can't tell you the hardware version — Any legitimate Tesla-knowledgeable seller knows this. Ignorance here suggests they haven't inspected the car properly.
• Battery Health test result or history raises concern — Request Tesla's test result and have an unexplained warning or poor result evaluated; displayed range versus EPA is not a diagnosis.
• Software is many months out of date — May indicate offline car, connectivity hardware failure, or the car has been sitting at auction/dealer without connecting to Tesla's network.
• Salvage or rebuilt title — Insurance won't cover at full value. Tesla may restrict OTA updates. Some service centers won't work on them.
• Excessive Supercharger sessions relative to mileage — Thousands of DC fast charges on a low-mileage car suggests fleet or commercial use with aggressive charging habits.
• Panel gaps, paint mismatch, or misaligned bumpers — Indicates post-accident repair work, which may not show on Carfax if it was a cash repair.
• No response to VIN check request — If the dealer or seller won't let you run the VIN through NHTSA or a service center, ask why.

7. USING THIS INFORMATION TO NEGOTIATE

• Compare hardware and features: Verify the computer and software eligibility on each car; assess any price difference against condition, equipment, and comparable listings rather than assuming a fixed HW premium.
• Battery Health result: Use Tesla's test percentage and an independent inspection to assess any price impact; avoid inferring SoH from displayed range or applying a fixed discount.
• "FSD included" premium: Do not assign value until Tesla confirms that the package will remain on the car you are buying at delivery; a seller may use its transfer program to move FSD to another vehicle.
• Recall still open: Tesla fixes most recalls via OTA for free, but if the car has an open recall that requires a service visit, you inherit the scheduling burden. Use it to negotiate.
• Old software version: Minor issue, but evidence the car hasn't been connected. Could mean connectivity hardware issues that cost $500–1,500 to resolve at a service center.

8. VIN LOOKUP & RESEARCH TOOLS

Run these before you buy — most are free.