Used car certificate: Tesla Model 3 in the test
Tesla's pioneers are also struggling with declining electric car sales figures in this country. The US manufacturer also explains the reluctance of potential buyers by the fact that many motorists would think that the Tesla world only starts with the Model S and about 100,000 euros. The company, led by Elon Musk, is still perceived by many people as an expensive luxury brand.
With the mid-range Model 3 and Model Y series, the Americans have quite affordable models in their range that offer good value for money even as new cars. According to the company, however, this has not yet reached the masses. To counteract this prejudice and probably also to position itself more broadly in the face of weakening sales figures, Tesla has launched the "Certified Pre-Owned" program, or CPO program for short.
The most important things at a glance
- Tesla offers certified used cars.
- The buyer does not get a battery certificate.
- Additional driver assistance systems are always included.
Is it worth buying a used Tesla from the factory? Automotive journalist Elias Holdenried tested a Model 3 Long Range from the CPO program:
What is Tesla's Certified Pre-Owned Program?
Put simply, the program is Tesla's answer to Mercedes-Benz's "Young Stars" or Audi's "Used Cars :p lus". According to the electric car manufacturer, the certified used cars are carefully checked and repaired by specialized Tesla technicians before they are sold. In doing so, they tick off a checklist comprising a total of 91 points. Of course, not only the appearance, the interior and the tires are put through their paces, but also the technology, especially the battery, the chassis and the brakes, which are extremely important for electric cars. The body is also checked to rule out the possibility that the Tesla is a repaired accident vehicle.
The technology check and the warranty extension are intended to take away the fear of electric used cars from prospective buyers. However, a battery certificate, which provides information about the condition and remaining capacity of the battery and is a knock-out criterion for many customers, is not included in the certified Teslas. This is incomprehensible, after all, severe degradation or a damaged battery are the biggest risk factors when buying a second-hand electric car due to the impending high costs of battery replacement – even if the electricity storage systems often last more than 300,000 kilometers and thus much longer than is often claimed, and capital damage occurs very rarely.
This is what the Model 3 costs as a certified used car
Tesla wants to enable the most carefree and cost-effective entry into e-mobility with the certified used cars. The buyer of a vehicle from the CPO program will be credited with the remaining term of the original new car warranty. It is valid for four years or 80,000 kilometers. As part of the CPO program, the remaining warranty period is extended by one year or 20,000 kilometers.
According to Tesla, the prices of certified used cars should be in the middle of the field, but the cars on offer should offer the best price-performance ratio. The cars refurbished by the factory always have the "Enhanced Autopilot" driving assistance system on board, for which an extra 3,800 euros are usually due. Thanks to this equipment, the Tesla models also have a lane change assistant. In addition, they can drive independently on the motorway under certain conditions and park automatically. When the car is "summoned" via app, it drives out of the parking space on its own.
Nevertheless, there are Tesla Model 3s on the used car market, some of which have fewer kilometers on the clock and still cost less. In addition, some of these cars, which are advertised by private sellers or independent dealers, are delivered with a battery certificate. Of course, it gives buyers a feeling of security if they buy their pre-prepared used car directly from the manufacturer. Concrete information about the condition and capacity of the battery would nevertheless make Tesla's offer a whole lot more attractive.
What is the condition of the used Tesla Model 3 in the test?
The Tesla from the CPO program we tested was a Model 3 Long Range, which is supposed to cost 32,000 euros as a certified used car, was registered for the first time in November 2020 and has reeled off around 65,000 kilometers in four years. The car rolled off the assembly line in Fremont, California, and later the majority of the units sold in Germany came from the Gigafactory in Shanghai. The Model 3 produced in China is said to have improved build quality.
Our test car from the Tesla Germany fleet made a decent impression overall. The car was in good condition on the outside. Neither the rims nor the paint showed any noticeable defects. However, the Model 3 fulfilled the common clich̩s in terms of gaps: The tailgate in particular was unevenly fitted on both sides Рsomething you are more used to from other makes. If you're honest, it hardly plays a role in everyday life with the car.
The situation was similar in the interior. The cheap-looking leatherette covers of the seats and the center armrest – always a point of criticism of the Model 3 – did not show any excessive signs of aging in the test car. Overall, the interior looked surprisingly solid, almost like a new car. It remains to be seen whether Tesla has made improvements here as part of the 91-point check: The carmaker does not communicate where the CPO program specifically improved the individual cars. As usual from Tesla, the infotainment system impressed with its variety of functions, logical structure and fast response time. The large touchscreen in the center of the cockpit was not as prone to fingerprints and smears as the screens of many competitors.
Test drive in the used Tesla Model 3: Dynamics over comfort
The Model 3 Long Range of the 2021 model year has one motor on each axle, and the Americans specified the system output for this version at around 440 hp (496 hp in boost mode). This enables unusually sporty driving performance for a car in this class. The Model 3 Long Range accelerates from zero to one hundred in just 4.6 seconds and the end of the line is only reached at 233 km/h.
The first million-seller with electric drive remains more of a dynamic than a sedan chair, even as a used car. The firm suspension tuning and direct steering ensure driving pleasure and good handling, especially on country roads, but in everyday life and on long distances, the hard tuning impairs comfort very much. On cobblestones, slight creaking noises could be heard from the chassis, but the whole thing remained within limits. Nevertheless, competitors with a similar mileage are less likely to be disturbed by poor road conditions. 65,000 kilometers is not the world. It would be interesting to see how the Tesla chassis fares beyond the 150,000-kilometer mark.
The standard range originally stated for this version of the Model 3 is 560 kilometers. Tesla did not tell us how much of the original battery capacity is left. If it has lost energy content, the losses must be limited. If you are traveling at a cruising speed of 120 km/h and deliberately drive evenly, the used Model 3 can cover almost 400 kilometers on the highway with one battery charge. If you make use of the numerous assistants, the car takes over a large part of the work. You can hardly get an electric car new that is so suitable for long distances.
The pros and cons of the certified Tesla Model 3
Strengthen:
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Long-distance range
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Good vehicle condition
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Sporty driving performance
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Low risk when buying a used car
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Modern driving assistants
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Excellent software and vehicle app
Weaken:
- No battery certificate available from the factory
- Not a bargain in comparison
- You don't learn where improvements were made
- Tart suspension comfort
- Expandable quality impression
My conclusion of the Tesla Model 3 (Certified Pre-Owned)
Overall, Tesla has put together a well-rounded package with its "Certified Pre-Owned" program. If you opt for a used Model 3 or Model Y certified by the manufacturer, you get a full-fledged, spacious and well-thought-out electric car from the ground up for comparatively little money. Since the cars have been thoroughly examined before being sold, the second-hand Teslas offer a worry-free entry into electric mobility. When buying a comparable new car, even from other manufacturers, you have to dig much deeper into your pocket.
In addition, there is the in-house charging infrastructure, which makes life easier for electric beginners in particular, and the first-class software, including the Tesla app, which allows the driver to control a large part of the car's functions and provides him with a wealth of information about the vehicle. However, one major shortcoming remains – the lack of a battery certificate. If the Americans follow suit here, hardly anything can go wrong when buying a used Tesla.