Likes
- Incredible performance
- Hugely practical
- Smooth and silent driving experience
- Acquiring one provides attention, instant popularity and a fan club
Used Tesla Model S review
2012 - 2020
Dislikes
- Various build quality issues
- Exterior door handles known to fail
- Range anxiety
- Interior not wearing well
Stuff you should know
The first mass-market Tesla was launched all the way back in 2012 (with Australian deliveries beginning in 2014). While battery and EV technology has improved since then, the Model S remains almost completely unchanged.
The stylish four-door, five-seat saloon is not only the car that established Tesla as a true competitor to the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi, but one that has grabbed the attention of even non-car people like nothing else in the last decade.
There’s no denying the Tesla Model S was and is a game changer and when new, is an excellent vehicle but now that Model Ss are coming out of warranty and lease periods, and are appearing on the used car market, are they still worthy of the hype?
What goes wrong
- Various exterior trim and panel issues
- Interior quality issues e.g faulty seat bases
- Air suspension faults
- Paint discrepancies
- Expensive replacement parts
- Touch screen failure and discolouring
- Main computer issues
- Failing door handles
- Reports of the glass panoramic roof coming loose
- Various exterior trim and panel issues
- Interior quality issues e.g faulty seat bases
- Air suspension faults
- Paint discrepancies
- Expensive replacement parts
- Touch screen failure and discolouring
- Main computer issues
- Failing door handles
- Reports of the glass panoramic roof coming loose
- Various exterior trim and panel issues
- Interior quality issues e.g faulty seat bases
- Air suspension faults
- Paint discrepancies
- Expensive replacement parts
- Touch screen failure and discolouring
- Main computer issues
- Failing door handles
- Reports of the glass panoramic roof coming loose
Should you buy it?
Well…..maybe, as there are conditions.
For what Model Ss are asking for on the used car market, you can buy a brand new Model 3 which has (hopefully) a better build quality, a more modern design, excellent driving dynamics, near equivalent performance and is equipped with the absolute latest tech. Therefore, the sensible decision would be to buy a new Model 3 instead of a used Model S.
But, if you need the extra size and practicality of the Model S and for whatever reason the Model 3 just doesn’t float your electric boat, you could consider a Model Y (when it arrives).
However, if you don’t fancy yourself as an SUV owner and you must have a Tesla right now but cannot justify the expense of a new Model S, then yes, a used Model S is a decent choice.
But which Model S should you buy?
Our recommendation is a post-facelift 75. A 2015 (or more recent) 75 will provide you with the most up to date styling, improved build quality and almost all of the latest tech while only missing out on the mind-bending acceleration and extended range the likes a P90D can provide.
Plus a 75 will save you tens of thousands of dollars when compared to its higher-powered siblings. In Australia, 75s are currently selling for around $90,000 whereas a fully-optioned P90D of the same vintage will set you back around $140,000.
But this recommendation comes with a warning. While a Tesla Model S 75
Well…..maybe, as there are conditions.
For what Model Ss are asking for on the used car market, you can buy a brand new Model 3 which has (hopefully) a better build quality, a more modern design, excellent driving dynamics, near equivalent performance and is equipped with the absolute latest tech. Therefore, the sensible decision would be to buy a new Model 3 instead of a used Model S.
But, if you need the extra size and practicality of the Model S and for whatever reason the Model 3 just doesn’t float your electric boat, you could consider a Model Y (when it arrives).
However, if you don’t fancy yourself as an SUV owner and you must have a Tesla right now but cannot justify the expense of a new Model S, then yes, a used Model S is a decent choice.
But which Model S should you buy?
Our recommendation is a post-facelift 75. A 2015 (or more recent) 75 will provide you with the most up to date styling, improved build quality and almost all of the latest tech while only missing out on the mind-bending acceleration and extended range the likes a P90D can provide.
Plus a 75 will save you tens of thousands of dollars when compared to its higher-powered siblings. In Australia, 75s are currently selling for around $90,000 whereas a fully-optioned P90D of the same vintage will set you back around $140,000.
But this recommendation comes with a warning. While a Tesla Model S 75 is all the electric car you’ll need, it may be wise to set a few thousand dollars away for any other issues that might (and probably will) pop up.
Should you buy it?
Well…..maybe, as there are conditions.
For what Model Ss are asking for on the used car market, you can buy a brand new Model 3 which has (hopefully) a better build quality, a more modern design, excellent driving dynamics, near equivalent performance and is equipped with the absolute latest tech. Therefore, the sensible decision would be to buy a new Model 3 instead of a used Model S.
But, if you need the extra size and practicality of the Model S and for whatever reason the Model 3 just doesn’t float your electric boat, you could consider a Model Y (when it arrives).
However, if you don’t fancy yourself as an SUV owner and you must have a Tesla right now but cannot justify the expense of a new Model S, then yes, a used Model S is a decent choice.
But which Model S should you buy?
Our recommendation is a post-facelift 75. A 2015 (or more recent) 75 will provide you with the most up to date styling, improved build quality and almost all of the latest tech while only missing out on the mind-bending acceleration and extended range the likes a P90D can provide.
Plus a 75 will save you tens of thousands of dollars when compared to its higher-powered siblings. In Australia, 75s are currently selling for around $90,000 whereas a fully-optioned P90D of the same vintage will set you back around $140,000.
But this recommendation comes with a warning. While a Tesla Model S 75 is all the electric car you’ll need, it may be wise to set a few thousand dollars away for any other issues that might (and probably will) pop up.
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Models, pricing & features
Tech specs
Body Styles
- 5 door Hatchback
Engine Specs
- AC225kW electric, AC225kW electric / Instant electric (60 2014)
- AC270kW electric, AC270kW electric / Instant electric (85 2014)
- AC310kW electric, AC310kW electric / Instant electric (P85 2014)
- AC285kW electric, AC285kW electric / Instant electric (60 2015)
- AC235kW electric, AC235kW electric / Instant electric (70 2015 – 2016, 60 2016 – 2017, 75 2016 – 2017)
- AC245kW electric, AC245kW electric / Instant electric (70D 2015 – 2016, 60D 2016 – 2017, 75D 2016 – 2019, Standard Range 2019)
- AC278kW electric, AC278kW electric / Instant electric (85 2015)
- AC311kW electric, AC311kW electric / Instant electric (85D 2015 – 2016, 90D 2016)
- AC375kW electric, AC375kW electric / Instant electric (P85D 2015)
- AC376kW electric, AC376kW electric / Instant electric (P90D 2015 – 2017)
- AC315kW electric, AC315kW electric / Instant electric (90D 2016 – 2017)
- AC450kW electric, AC450kW electric / Instant electric (P100D 2016 – 2019, Performance 2019 – 2020, Ludicrous Performance 2019)
- AC330kW electric, AC330kW electric / Instant electric (100D 2017 – 2019, Long Range 2019 – 2020, Long Range Plus 2020)
Transmission
- 1-speed Reduction Gear (All Models)
Fuel Consumption
- Electric (All Models)
Length
- 4970mm – 4979mm (All Models)
Width
- 1964mm (All Models)
Height
- 1435mm – 1445mm (All Models)
Wheelbase
- 2959mm – 2960mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- Unknown kg – 2187kg (All Models)
Towing
- Not listed (All Models)
Ancap Ratings
- Not tested (60, 85, P85)
- 5
Body Styles
- 5 door Hatchback
Engine Specs
- AC225kW electric, AC225kW electric / Instant electric (60 2014)
- AC270kW electric, AC270kW electric / Instant electric (85 2014)
- AC310kW electric, AC310kW electric / Instant electric (P85 2014)
- AC285kW electric, AC285kW electric / Instant electric (60 2015)
- AC235kW electric, AC235kW electric / Instant electric (70 2015 – 2016, 60 2016 – 2017, 75 2016 – 2017)
- AC245kW electric, AC245kW electric / Instant electric (70D 2015 – 2016, 60D 2016 – 2017, 75D 2016 – 2019, Standard Range 2019)
- AC278kW electric, AC278kW electric / Instant electric (85 2015)
- AC311kW electric, AC311kW electric / Instant electric (85D 2015 – 2016, 90D 2016)
- AC375kW electric, AC375kW electric / Instant electric (P85D 2015)
- AC376kW electric, AC376kW electric / Instant electric (P90D 2015 – 2017)
- AC315kW electric, AC315kW electric / Instant electric (90D 2016 – 2017)
- AC450kW electric, AC450kW electric / Instant electric (P100D 2016 – 2019, Performance 2019 – 2020, Ludicrous Performance 2019)
- AC330kW electric, AC330kW electric / Instant electric (100D 2017 – 2019, Long Range 2019 – 2020, Long Range Plus 2020)
Transmission
- 1-speed Reduction Gear (All Models)
Fuel Consumption
- Electric (All Models)
Length
- 4970mm – 4979mm (All Models)
Width
- 1964mm (All Models)
Height
- 1435mm – 1445mm (All Models)
Wheelbase
- 2959mm – 2960mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- Unknown kg – 2187kg (All Models)
Towing
- Not listed (All Models)
Ancap Ratings
- Not tested (60, 85, P85)
- 5 stars, tested 2015 (60, 70, 70D, 85, 85D, P85D, P90D, 90D, 60D, 75, 75D, P100D, 100D, Performance, Ludicrous Performance)
- 5 stars (75, 75D, 100D, P100D, Standard Range, Long Range, Long Range Plus)
Body Styles
- 5 door Hatchback
Engine Specs
- AC225kW electric, AC225kW electric / Instant electric (60 2014)
- AC270kW electric, AC270kW electric / Instant electric (85 2014)
- AC310kW electric, AC310kW electric / Instant electric (P85 2014)
- AC285kW electric, AC285kW electric / Instant electric (60 2015)
- AC235kW electric, AC235kW electric / Instant electric (70 2015 – 2016, 60 2016 – 2017, 75 2016 – 2017)
- AC245kW electric, AC245kW electric / Instant electric (70D 2015 – 2016, 60D 2016 – 2017, 75D 2016 – 2019, Standard Range 2019)
- AC278kW electric, AC278kW electric / Instant electric (85 2015)
- AC311kW electric, AC311kW electric / Instant electric (85D 2015 – 2016, 90D 2016)
- AC375kW electric, AC375kW electric / Instant electric (P85D 2015)
- AC376kW electric, AC376kW electric / Instant electric (P90D 2015 – 2017)
- AC315kW electric, AC315kW electric / Instant electric (90D 2016 – 2017)
- AC450kW electric, AC450kW electric / Instant electric (P100D 2016 – 2019, Performance 2019 – 2020, Ludicrous Performance 2019)
- AC330kW electric, AC330kW electric / Instant electric (100D 2017 – 2019, Long Range 2019 – 2020, Long Range Plus 2020)
Transmission
- 1-speed Reduction Gear (All Models)
Fuel Consumption
- Electric (All Models)
Length
- 4970mm – 4979mm (All Models)
Width
- 1964mm (All Models)
Height
- 1435mm – 1445mm (All Models)
Wheelbase
- 2959mm – 2960mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- Unknown kg – 2187kg (All Models)
Towing
- Not listed (All Models)
Ancap Ratings
- Not tested (60, 85, P85)
- 5 stars, tested 2015 (60, 70, 70D, 85, 85D, P85D, P90D, 90D, 60D, 75, 75D, P100D, 100D, Performance, Ludicrous Performance)
- 5 stars (75, 75D, 100D, P100D, Standard Range, Long Range, Long Range Plus)
Warranty
Warranty
- 4 years / 80,000 km (60, 85, P85, 70, 70D, 85D, P85D, P90D, 90D, 60D, 75, 75D, P100D, 100D, Standard Range, Long Range, Performance, Ludicrous Performance, Long Range Plus)
- 8 years / 160,000 km (75D, 100D, P100D)
Servicing
- N/A
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Disclaimer
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of Feb 23, 2024.
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
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