Original Tesla Model S 2012–2016

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

• Drive unit failure All years

  What to check: Ask for service records showing whether the drive unit has been replaced. Listen for noise from the motor while driving.

  Edmunds' early long-term car needed its drive unit replaced twice in about 17 months. Owners on Tesla Motors Club say motor replacements were common on early cars, and that most have had one by now.

  Sources ^1,2

• Door handles that do not extend All years

  What to check: Walk up to the car with the key and watch every handle come out. Ask whether the handles have been replaced.

  The handles were the top complaint in a 2014 Consumer Reports owner survey of 2012 to 2014 cars. Replacement handles helped, but owners say the problem was never fully solved.

  Sources ^3,2,4

• Touchscreen memory wear All years

  What to check: Confirm with Tesla that recall 21V035000 was done: the touchscreen's memory board replaced with a larger one.

  The touchscreen's 8 GB memory chip wears out. When it does, the screen goes blank and the rear camera, defrost settings and turn signals can stop working.

  Sources ^5,2

• Worn or replaced battery All years

  What to check: Get a battery health report showing how much capacity is left.

  Recurrent found battery replacements more common on 2013 to 2018 cars than later ones. InsideEVs counts capacity in the 90s per cent as excellent and in the 70s as near the point of repair; Tesla's warranty repairs a pack at 70 per cent.

  Sources ^6,7

• Worn suspension All years One source so far

  What to check: Look for a car sitting low at one corner, which on air suspension can be a leak.

  The car's weight wears suspension parts, and air suspension can leak.

  Sources ⁷

• Air conditioning All years One source so far

  What to check: Make sure the air conditioning blows cold.

  It also helps keep the battery cool.

  Sources ⁷

• Worn brake discs All years One source so far

  What to check: Brake firmly and feel for judder through the pedal.

  A buying guide calls worn discs a common problem.

  Sources ⁸

Sources

1. Charged EVs on early reliability
2. Tesla Motors Club thread
3. Green Car Reports on door handles
4. Jalopnik on used reliability
5. NHTSA recall report 21V035
6. Kelley Blue Book on battery replacements
7. InsideEVs used buyer's guide
8. DrivingElectric used guide (UK)