Is it worth buying a used Tesla Model S with free charging?

But even those who stay within the warranty could bite on granite: Especially with Tesla batteries, a warranty claim promises to be complicated. "There is no technical data sheet of the Model S from that time, so it is difficult to determine what initial capacity the battery must have once had," says Stefan Moeller. It is known from numerous court cases that Tesla avoids product liability when it comes to the possibility.may be

On the other hand, there are now independent workshops that can get a Tesla battery with an expired warranty back on track for around 10,000 euros, according to the Nextmove boss.

And if you ignore this problem? It could go well, and the battery will last for many years. "18,000 euros is still quite a lot of money for a vehicle that is at least nine years old and has 250,000 or more kilometers," Matthias Vogt of the ADAC told AUTO BILD. He points out the basics: Repairs to luxury vehicles usually cost significantly more than for smaller vehicles. "Supercharger-free cars in particular were probably driven an above-average amount." Accordingly, the engine, drive and chassis could be worn.

The charging power of the early Tesla is relatively low; it was only 118 kW for the S 60, 70 and 85. For older batteries, Tesla also throttles the charging power.

Picture: Sven Krieger / AUTO BILD

Stefan Moeller from Nextmove confirms this: "You shouldn't drive such an old car like a sports car, it's the first generation of the Model S." And early Teslas in particular are sensitive to the battery and motor. If the "drive unit" is damaged, repairs quickly cost 3000 to 5000 euros, according to Moeller.

Here is a look at the test results: AUTO BILD tested a . Result: Technically, the car was okay, but workmanship and material quality did not meet the expectations of a luxury car.used Tesla Model S with 83,000 km mileage

The workmanship and material quality of the Tesla Model S do not correspond to what you would expect from a luxury car, AUTO BILD found during the used car test.

Picture: Sandra Beckefeldt / AUTO BILD

Another crux of the free chargers: The feature may have been deleted in the meantime. Moeller: "If a Model S has ever been returned to Tesla, for example as a leasing vehicle, the Supercharger release was deactivated there." In plain language, this means that you cannot rely on ALL Tesla Model S registered before January 15, 2017 still being allowed to charge free of charge at the Supercharger.

The connection is also an issue: Early Teslas did not have a CCS charging socket, and the technology was not available in series production until 2019. However, it can be retrofitted for 500 euros.

Image: Plant

In addition, the repeated . It accelerates aging, sinks. Incidentally, early Model S models are still often on the road without a CCS charging socket: It was not until 2019 that the feature, which opens up the connection to charging networks from other providers, was on board as standard. However, it can be retrofitted for 500 euros.Fast charging on high-voltage DC chargers stresses the batteryCapacity and life expectancy

How do I even see if a Tesla is equipped with the coveted "Free Supercharger" feature? In any case, this is not stated in the registration certificate. The registration date does not necessarily help either: Even after January 15, 2017, some new Tesla cars with "Free Supercharging" were still on sale that had been produced before the deadline. But back then – unlike today – they weren't so agonizingly long. Stefan Moeller: "Cars registered in spring 2017 may well have the feature, but from the middle of the year it will become implausible."Delivery times for new electric cars

Tesla will not have an alternative CCS socket until 2019 – but it can be retrofitted to older models for 500 euros.

Image: DPA

In various Internet forums, it is reported that the Model S in question has the option "Free Supercharger use" entered in the user profile of the Tesla app. Apparently, however, this is not always the case either.

Further forum information: To know exactly, you have to call up the user profile on the desktop PC. By right-clicking on the image of the vehicle, the equipment list would then be visible. The option "Free Supercharger use" is said to have the code SC01. If the electricity flat rate is limited to the first owner (there was also that), the code is SC05.

Stefan Moeller: "We tried this with several models with Free Supercharging in our fleet, but couldn't find the abbreviations." Apparently, this note is not binding on all vehicles either.

Another way of identifying: Before the test drive, you have your own e-mail address entered in the online owner's account and carry out a charging process on the way. The subsequent e-mail confirmation shows whether the electricity donation was free of charge. Moeller: "But just in case, you should definitely have this property assured in the purchase contract." In order to be able to reverse if necessary.

Is it worth buying a Tesla Model S with the "free charging" feature in the long run? A simple arithmetic problem: If the Tesla, which is at least seven years old, continues to drive for another ten years without changing the battery, that would be a very optimistic estimate. "Assuming an average consumption of 22 kWh per 100 km, with 15,000 km of annual mileage and a kWh price of 0.46 euros [currently the cheapest tariff for Tesla customers, editor's note], there is a saving of 15,180 euros in ten years," calculates Matthias Vogt of the ADAC. This pushes the purchase price down to around 12,000 euros. But only if nothing serious breaks in the next ten years.

In mid-2019, AUTO BILD investigated a . The result: the motor and battery were in good condition, the rest rather not.used Tesla Model S with 83,000 km

Picture: Sandra Beckefeldt / AUTO BILD

A cheap price for such an old car? A luxury class combustion engine of about the same age with similarly high mileages, for example the , currently costs from around 9000 euros - but this does not take into account the energy costs for the coming years. And thanks to this, they will certainly increase. But doesn't the comparison paralyze? Difficult to judge: Although they are more than those of combustion engines, it is unclear how long the difficult Tesla technology will last.Audi A6CO2 taxMaintenance costs for electric cars demonstrably lower

So investing in an old Tesla Model S with Free Supercharging remains a bet on the future. Those who shy away from such a risk will prefer to buy a new car: A new Tesla Model 3 costs a little more, but has the full warranty. In addition, , for example, offers a loan at a low interest rate or a year of free electricity for buyers of the .Tesla currently offers attractive discounts and perksCrossover SUV Model Y

For those who still have their eye on it: In principle, it is important to carry out a technical inspection of old used cars before buying them and to "take a Tesla expert with you for a viewing," says Matthias Vogt of the ADAC. "If at all, you should buy a Model S that is about to expire under warranty," recommends Stefan Moeller of Nextmove. This will then be technically checked and the identified defects repaired as warranty damage at Tesla.