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Used car guide
Used Tesla Model S: the years to buy and the years to skip
Every Tesla Model S from 2016 to 2025, across 2 generations: what each year typically sells for (about $19,000 to $86,500), its crash rating, and whether it's a year to target or skip. The best bets are 2016–2025.
2022–2025 Tesla Model S
The updated Model S, with a new interior and strong range for long trips.
Years to target: 2022–2025. It has an average reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $49,000 | Target | Not rated | ~65,000 |
| 2023 | $59,000 | Target | Not rated | ~55,000 |
| 2024 | $69,500 | Target | Not rated | ~40,000 |
| 2025 | $86,500 | Target | Not rated | ~25,000 |
Worth knowing
- Many cars have a yoke and touch buttons instead of stalks, which takes getting used to, though a round wheel became optional.
- Performance cars like this usually cost much more to insure than an average car, often 30% or more. Get a quote before you buy.
- Budget for real running costs: performance tires often cost $1,200 to $2,000 a set and can wear out in 15,000 miles, and brakes cost more to replace.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for the dual-motor Long Range: it offers more range for far less than the Plaid, which mainly adds much quicker acceleration; check battery health and warranty status.
On the test drive
Ask for a battery health report, and compare the range shown at full charge with the original rating. Pay for an inspection at an independent shop that specializes in the brand.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: standard from the start of this generation (2022).
- Adaptive cruise control: standard from the start of this generation (2022).
- Blind-spot monitoring: standard from the start of this generation (2022).
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2016–2021 Tesla Model S
A quick electric sedan with strong range and easy access to Tesla's fast-charging network.
Years to target: 2016–2021. It has a below-average reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $19,000* | Target | Not rated | ~105,000 |
| 2017 | $20,500 | Target | Not rated | ~95,000 |
| 2018 | $23,000 | Target | Not rated | ~85,000 |
| 2019 | $25,000 | Target | Not rated | ~75,000 |
| 2020 | $28,000 | Target | Not rated | ~65,000 |
| 2021 | $31,000 | Target | Not rated | ~55,000 |
* Estimated from nearby years, since few were listed for sale.
Worth knowing
- Door handles and air suspension are common repair items, and late 2021 cars got the new interior with a yoke steering wheel.
- Performance cars like this usually cost much more to insure than an average car, often 30% or more. Get a quote before you buy.
- Budget for real running costs: performance tires often cost $1,200 to $2,000 a set and can wear out in 15,000 miles, and brakes cost more to replace.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for a Long Range or 100D: they offer much more range than the 60 and 75; also check which Autopilot hardware and features the car has, since these vary by year.
On the test drive
Ask whether the center screen's memory chip was replaced under recall, and listen for drive unit noise. Ask for a battery health report, and compare the range shown at full charge with the original rating.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: standard from the start of this generation (2016).
- Adaptive cruise control: standard from 2017, optional from 2016.
- Blind-spot monitoring: not standard in this generation, so check the listing.
Also worth comparing at this price
- Hyundai Ioniq 6 2023 · $25,500
Find one near you
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Prices are typical dealer and private asking prices from used listings, collected in September and October 2026, for an average-mileage car. Years with too few listings are estimated from nearby years. Crash ratings, recalls and owner complaint counts come from NHTSA public records. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy. Spot something off? Let us know.