If anyone is considering buying a new or used Tesla, here’s some factors to consider.
The first is I finally saw IIHS crash test results for a Cybertruck. I don’t know if any were available before, but it was this point last year that it had been available to buy for a year without any. Key points:
- It did well with the pedestrian crash avoidance tests the IIH set up.
- It got a Poor rating for for its headlights. Too much glare for other drivers.
- It got a Good rating with an updated crash test. The part of the rating for the passenger in the rear seat was Acceptable due to an issue with the seat belt, but it didn’t affect the overall Good rating.
- They made a note that flexing of metal is normally something to be concerned about, but on this vehicle, that’s likely just the trim piece that goes across the top of the windows. This is the same piece that started coming off on its own in cold climates because of a problem with the adhesive Tesla used.
The video also has ratings for the Ford F-150 Lightning. Summary: it has areas that can be improved.
The second is about a used Telsa, but could apply to any used electric vehicle.
A man buys a used Tesla Model 3 in September. He goes to charge it at one of the Tesla Superchargers. He’s blocked from doing it. He tries different stations. No joy.
Calls Tesla. Is told the following verbally and in an email later: “The car is currently unsupported for supercharging and warranties are voided due to salvaged vehicle.”
The man got a Carfax report that said the vehicle was clean. It took getting a deeper vehicle history report, which he got after he bought it, to show the car had been in one accident and had “minor damage”. But the photos show it didn’t look minor. A Tesla tech said the work was shoddy.
So, Tesla flagged it on their side to prevent connection to the Superchargers as a safety measure. Despite that, it is legally not classified as a salvaged vehicle.
Tesla does have an inspection service you can pay for that can determine if the vehicle is safe, but that’s at least $2000.
I don’t know how this man is charging his car. I think there’s three levels of home charging options: standard 120vAC and standard 240vAC charging is pretty common and a lot of houses can accommodate both. 480vAC charging takes a bit more to set up. Whatever he uses, he can’t take long distance trips in it because he’s locked out of the Supercharger network.
Takeaway #1: There’s two levels of vehicle reports from Carfax. The first is like an overview. The second gives you the details that may not be on the first. Make sure you get both.
Takeaway #2: If there are any accidents of any kind listed on the Carfax report, check with the manufacturer to see if they’ve decided that it qualifies to them as a salvaged vehicle. If dealerships wanted to get extra revenue, they could offer this check as a service. Of course, less reputable dealerships might not want their customers to know that.
Takeaway #3: A lot of different brands also use the NACS (SAE J3400) charging connector Tesla developed. Will a similar “this is a salvaged vehicle” situation prevent your non-Tesla car from using Tesla’s Superchargers?
My personal takeaway: While I think this is a really shady move on Tesla’s part, I understand why they did it. Marko Ramius, Captain of the Red October, once told Jack Ryan, “Some things in here don’t react well to bullets.” There is a lot of energy stored in an area that must remain intact. Any damage to it can make itself known in a spectacularly catastrophic manner.
