If you’ve ever wondered whether an old electric car is a smart buy or a money pit, you’re not alone. The car testers at Edmunds, who post as @edmundscars, decided to find out by buying a 135,000-mile Tesla Model S for less than $13,000.
Their goal was to learn what living with a high-mileage EV is really like: how the range holds up, how it performs and how the tech has aged.
They’ve done this before. Back in 2013, the team bought a new Model S Performance for $105,000, drove it more than 30,000 miles and then sold it for $83,000.
Remembering The First Tesla Model S
That first car left mixed memories. A staffer who handled its maintenance read out his notes. The touchscreen froze nine times, the car stranded them three times and the team needed three new main drive units.
In addition, the car needed one new main battery and one new main display. Still, he says it spent only two nights at the shop and cost them nothing, thanks to the warranty. This time, there’s no warranty to fall back on.
How The Old Sedan Performs
This car is a single-motor, rear-drive version on old, mismatched tires. Even so, host Alistair Weaver found it genuinely quick on the test track.
On the clock, it ran 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds and the quarter mile in 13.3 seconds. Braking was a bit down, but grip was still respectable.
“There’s life in the old dog yet,” he says.
On the handling course, the air suspension still worked well and the cabin stayed quiet. The main complaint was a whine from the rear motor. He also notes that the regenerative braking is much milder than in a modern Tesla.
Range, History And Wear
Battery health was the big question. On the Edmunds range test, the car covered 221 miles, while their best in the 2013 car was just over 230.
“So the battery has lost little of its juice in the past decade,” he says.
A vehicle history report filled in the background. It carried an MSRP of $69,900 and was first sold in Palo Alto, California, in January 2014. The first owner kept it for five and a half years and 35,000 miles, so it has covered more than 100,000 miles since. According to the report, it has no accidents on record.
Inside, the big screen is still quick and runs current software. On the other hand, the driver’s display is warped from heat, the seats show wear and the nose has plenty of road rash.
What To Check On A High-Mileage EV
Their test points to a few things worth checking before buying a used electric car:
- Test the real-world range on a full charge, and compare it with what the car managed when new.
- Listen for motor whine and feel for vibration on a test drive.
- Pull a vehicle history report to check accidents, owners and recalls.
- Look at tires, screens and seats, because wear items add up quickly.
- Remember that an old EV may have no warranty left on major parts.
Where The Tesla Model S Stands
For now, Edmunds plans to keep the car for several months as part of its long-term fleet. It will also run more tests, including charging.
In the host’s words, the goal is to “find out whether it really is a bargain or just a giant rotting money pit.”
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