The Most Reliable Used Tesla Under $20,000

Tesla is the most successful electric car manufacturer in the world, with the brand constantly hitting the top of the sales charts every month by a massive margin. The American EV start-up manages to meet this insatiable demand via its progressive and advanced manufacturing process, which takes place at its Texas, Shanghai, and German gigafactories. Tesla is a relatively young brand that only entered the mass market about 10 years ago and evolved into a volume seller shortly after that. This is one of the fastest progressions a brand has experienced, primarily thanks to expansive investments made in its operations.

Early Tesla models are renowned for

struggling with bad build quality
, including bad panel fitment, annoying software glitches, and rapidly deteriorating interior and exterior trimmings. Despite this, the brand has maintained a very strong customer base as it has been the only one to offer a good balance of affordability, efficiency, and performance in the electric car segment. Because of this, you need to practice a lot of caution when considering a used model. Electric cars typically depreciate at a rapid rate, but thanks to Tesla’s fairly aspirational reputation, its cars benefit from more preferable depreciation rates. If you want a used Tesla, but are limited to a $20,000 budget, this particular option is going to be your best and safest bet.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Tesla’s websites and other authoritative sources, including Consumer Reports, CarEdge, the EPA, and J.D. Power.

The 2020 Model 3 Is the Most Reliable Tesla Under $20,000

According to Consumer Reports, the 2020 Tesla Model 3 is the most reliable used model by the brand, under the $20,000 mark. Despite this status, it only benefits from a 35/100 reliability score and 3/5 owner satisfaction score. The publication values this model year between $19,175 and $24,375. The 2020 Tesla Model 3 is one of the early model years, and was subject to a whopping 19 recalls covering problems with the seat belts, driver safety systems, digital displays, and other minor components.

Thankfully, the brand has been able to

refine the Model 3 range
over the last five years. Consumer Reports issues the 2024 Model 3 Highland range with a reasonably respectable 47/100 predicted reliability rating. It’s substantially lower than cars like the Lexus RZ, which scores as high as 79/100, but by American-built and designed standards, it’s one of the safest options for you to consider. The review firm clarifies that it bases its score on data it gathers from 2021 to 2023, so the recently refreshed model could perform slightly better or worse. Considering it maintains most of the older car’s components, it shouldn’t be too different in the reliability department.

How Much A 2020 Tesla Model 3 Is Worth

Based on CarEdge’s in-depth depreciation calculator, if you purchased a base Model 3 Standard Range for $23,785 in 2020, you would be able to sell it for as much as $17,496 today. This reflects one of the best value retention rates you’ll find in the used electric car market.

For added context, Consumer Reports highlights a similar trend, with a range that sits between $16,900 and $23,150 for the entire 2019 model year range. J.D. Power indicates that people are currently paying between $20,431 and $28,571 for the same model year in the used car market. Unfortunately, this model year suffers from worse reliability ratings.

Tesla Model Y Depreciation Over Five Years

Depending on trims and options, a new

top-of-the-range Model 3
with all options ticked would have set you back by $58,190, which is far more than the current flagship option. Calculators indicate that this could be worth $42,805, today, but realistically, it’s likely to sell for much less. Older models also didn’t benefit from the

Inflation Reduction Act
, which lowers the new example’s purchase price by up to $7,500. This means that the above depreciation calculator is a more accurate representation of its current value.

2020 Tesla Model 3 Specifications

The

early Tesla Model 3 range
is a very impressive package for its time. The base Standard Range model features the brand’s single permanent-magnet motor and 54 kWh battery pack. It produces 283 horsepower and 307 pound-feet, resulting in a 6.0-second 0-60 MPH time and 125 MPH top speed. The EPA estimates that this model will cover a maximum of 250 miles on a single charge, while returning a 24 kWh per 100 miles consumption estimate. The Long Range model features a pair of motors and a larger 62 kWh battery pack, resulting in a 346-horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque output.

2020 Tesla Model 3 Performance Specifications

You can expect this variant to cover a 0-60 MPH sprint in 4.0 seconds, but it’s still limited to 125 MPH. It also benefits from a competitive 26 kWh per 100 miles combined energy consumption estimate and 322-mile range claim.

The Performance sits at the very top of the range, with an increased 450 horsepower and 471 pound-feet combined output. This covers a 0-60 MPH sprint in 3.1 seconds with a 150 MPH top speed. With this increased power, you’ll have to make do with a 28 kWh per 100 miles combined energy consumption rate, but it retains the 322-mile range estimate. These will obviously decrease if you opt for an example with the optional set of larger wheels.

What You Need To Know About Buying A 2020 Tesla Model 3

Buying a used car for daily use always has noteworthy risks attached to it. Usually, you benefit from much lower initial costs, but as we see with the 2024 Tesla Model 3, a new example is a more financially viable option. Tesla’s electric cars are typically mechanically sound, but they do suffer from specific software glitches and gremlins, which the brand frequently resolves via over-the-air updates. They are also prone to some nasty cosmetic build quality issues, which are more troublesome to resolve. Thankfully, Tesla promises substantial

quality improvements with the Highland update
if you opt to go for the new car route. As with any used car, there’s a much higher risk involved when compared to purchasing a new model.

How To Retain Your Tesla Model 3’s Value

• Keep up with regular maintenance and service to ensure the car runs smoothly and avoid costly repairs later.
• Store your car in a garage or covered area to protect it from weather damage and maintain its exterior condition.
• Use high-quality and OEM parts during repairs and maintenance to keep the car in optimal condition.
• Although challenging, you should try to limit mileage and avoid unnecessary driving to reduce wear and tear on the vehicle.
• Keep the interior clean and free of damage by using seat covers and floor mats.
• Maintain a detailed service history and keep all receipts to provide proof of care for potential buyers.

A used car’s integrity is based on how well the original owner took care of it. That’s why if you plan on selling your

Tesla Model 3 after a few years
, we strongly recommend filing all relevant servicing and repair invoices. You should also rotate, balance, and align the wheels and replace the tires before they wear beyond the legal limit. You should also be replacing them with the manufacturer-specific brand, rather than slapping on a cheaper set. It’s also just a good habit to ensure that the interior and exterior cosmetics remain in good condition. You can do this by frequently keeping the car clean and keeping it covered from the elements during extreme weather conditions.