Selling Your Tesla – Comprehensive Guide

Tesla is one of the most sought-after car brands, and with current inflation rates, there has never been a better time to sell your Tesla. Teslas are known to have some of the slowest depreciation rates on the market, meaning you can be sure you will get a great resale price. Here we have detailed how you can sell your Tesla, along with some things to consider while you search for the perfect price.

Whether you have the Model X, Model S, Model 3 or Model Y, we have experience in buying all Tesla models.

We can value your Tesla within minutes, providing you with a free, no-obligation quote for your model.

  • Online Valuation
  • Instant & Free Quotation
  • No Obligation Quotation
  • Free Pick Up From A Location Of Your Choosing
  • Guaranteed purchase price*

*Your online offer is not an estimated purchase price and is a commitment to purchase at that price subject to our T&C’s

How Can I Sell my Tesla?

There are many different ways to sell your Tesla. The most common way people sell their cars is through part exchange whilst buying a new car, however, these typically return the lowest price for the car. 

Another popular choice in recent years is a car buying service; these are companies that claim to ‘buy any car’ and offer quick valuations online. These can be good if you want a quick sale, due to relocation, for example. However, this method of selling your car also returns low prices. 

You can also sell your car privately through car selling websites, however, not only is it stressful, you can encounter many timewasters who are not actually interested in your car.

One method of selling your Tesla that can produce high resale prices is through a specialist Tesla buying website, such as We Love Tesla. These services understand the value of specific models and as such can offer valuations that are a true reflection of your car’s worth. We will look at all these methods in detail later.

Tesla Resale Values

CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM – APRIL 29: on April, 4 2019 in Cardiff, United Kingdom.(Photo by Matthew Horwood)

As previously mentioned, Teslas have some of the slowest depreciation rates on the market today. This means that you will get a better return on the price you paid when compared to other car brands. The current depreciation rates for the Tesla models are laid out below

Model XModel SModel 3Model Y
1-year depreciation18%17%10%22%
3-year depreciation33.9%36.3%10.2%N/A


As you can see, Teslas can hold their value well. Note that the Model Y was released in 2020 and thus does not have a 3-year depreciation value.

Getting your Tesla Valued

Now you’ve seen how well Teslas can hold their value, it’s time to have yours valued. We offer a quick, no-fee and no-obligation Tesla valuation service. Click here to have your Tesla valued for free.

What to Consider When Looking to Sell your Tesla

As with any other vehicle sale, the price you get for it depends on a number of different factors. Some apply to all cars, such as dents, scratches and issues with paintwork, however, there are some specific things you should consider when looking to sell your Tesla.

As Teslas are electric vehicles, you want to consider its battery life. Tesla vehicles have the best range of any electric vehicle so it is important for potential buyers that your car still has this great range. 

Another unique selling point of Teslas is the user interface within the car. It is important that you update the software regularly if you are looking to sell so that it is always up to date with the latest features.

If you have arranged a sale for your car, make sure you do a factory reset on your vehicle. This will remove any of your personal data which was stored in the car’s software. It could also be beneficial to have your Tesla serviced before you sell it, to check for any major issues that could significantly affect its value.

In essence, you will want to keep in mind:

  • The condition of your battery.
  • Suspension performance of your vehicle.
  • The specifications of your Tesla

Is Now a Good Time to Sell?

The microchip shortage that affected the UK and Europe during 2020 & 2021 caused a large number of backlogs in terms of the production of brand new Tesla vehicles. There are still as of writing several months of waiting times up to even a year for some models in terms of ordering a new vehicle and receiving it. This has put the used market into a supply and demand situation in which you can benefit.

Simply put – you are able to receive a higher valuation than you would have previously due to this shortage. This means that it’s a great time to sell your Tesla. When production increases then this may balance out the inflated value of your used Tesla vehicle – so it’s a great time to consider the sale of your vehicle. Take advantage of the current situation of the market if you are looking to sell your Tesla vehicle.

Eco-Friendly Solutions for Motorists

CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM – APRIL 29: on April, 4 2019 in Cardiff, United Kingdom.(Photo by Matthew Horwood)

Teslas are one of the world’s greenest car manufacturers and their vehicles are arguably some of the most eco-friendly if not the most eco-friendly vehicles on the market. This means that those who are looking to make the switch – they will be highly likely to be considering a Tesla. Due to long waiting times from order to delivery of a new Tesla – this naturally sends them to the used car market.

Fuel Costs & Additional Costs of Vehicles

The cost of living crisis has escalated and is set to get worse over the winter months. Fuel costs are a large consideration with motorists having to pay considerably more at the pump. Having an electric vehicle undoubtedly saves on fuel costs per year and for those that do not travel a huge amount – the charge distances will not deter them. Charge anxiety is decreasing as more and more electric vehicles boast further range per km per charge. This ensures that demand goes up for making the switch to electric and increases the value of your used Tesla.

Selling Your Tesla To Our Team

We are a business that is dedicated to providing accurate valuations for your Tesla vehicle with our market-leading software. We also pride ourselves on staying true to our word on the accurate pricing that is provided to you when you sell your vehicle with us – we will pay the amount that was provided when you filled in your vehicle details (providing you submitted accurate & factual information.)

Our Tesla Valuation tool is simple to use and allows you to receive a highly competitive valuation for your Tesla Vehicle. Simply follow the steps on our tool and you will be provided with your quotation. If you are happy with the quote there and then, you can arrange for the purchase of your vehicle. 

If you wish to consider your offer, you can contact us to agree to the purchase and we will be in touch to discuss your thoughts and considerations in regards to selling your Tesla Vehicle to us. We take all of the hassle out of the process and ensure that you can sell your Tesla to a team of experts that you can trust. We also have a large amount of expertise relating to every Tesla vehicle so we can help you if you are unsure about anything relating to your Tesla vehicle.

Private Sales

We briefly discussed selling you Tesla through a private sale, so lets look at it in more detail now. There are many different private car listing websites where you can list your car for sale, which is very convenient if you are seriously considering a private sale.

However, you need to consider the time it will take to set up a great listing that will attract serious customers. It is vital that you take numerous photos of the car, from many different angles, and include photos of any damage. You also need to list the features of the car in full. This includes everything from tyre thread and how many previous owners it’s had, to the special features, such as autopilot.

Selling your Tesla privately can be very time-consuming and can also not lead to a sale, as more people opt to buy from dealers.

You also need to bear in mind that you are not protected when carrying out a private sell or purchase. If you happen to sell to an illegitimate or fraudulent person then you may be at risk! Using reputable established businesses such as We Love Tesla are vital in ensuring that you get a fair price for your vehicle. We will not leave with your vehicle until the money for your Tesla appears in your account.

Part Exchange & Car Buying Services

Part of exchanging your vehicle is the easiest way to transfer the price of your current car off of the price of the car you want; it is convenient. However, this will return the lowest price for your car.

Using a car buying service is another convenient way to sell your car quickly. You can have your car valued and given to the broker within an hour in some cases. However, these companies are not specialists when it comes to Tesla models, and as such will not appreciate the true value of your car.

Many car buying platforms provide an “estimated” value online where your car will be subject to a drawn-out auction process with no guarantee of an offer or commitment to buy.  Look out for this in the small print or your online offer will usually contain an *.

Statistically, the majority of cars fail to reach their estimated valuation meaning lost time in the selling process and the risk of valuations falling further should the market become under pressure.  

Selling your Tesla with We Love Tesla

As mentioned earlier, selling your car with a specialist Tesla buying service is the best way to ensure a fair price on your car. Here at We Love Tesla, we offer a complete Tesla buying service. 

Whether you have the Model X, Model S, Model 3 or Model Y, we have experience in buying all Tesla models.

We can value your Tesla in less than a minute, providing you with a free, no-obligation quote for your model.

If you accept our quote we will ask you when you are free for us to come and inspect your car. If all looks good we will ask for the keys and registration documents and be on our way; with the agreed price already in your account before we drive away. It really is as simple as that.

If you are looking to sell your Tesla, find out how we can offer you the best price and service today!