# Tesla Model S — Used Car Buying Guide

AutoScout's analysis of the Tesla Model S on the UK used-car market. Backed by 33 million DVSA MOT tests, current AutoTrader pricing, and depreciation curves derived from CAP/Glass's Guide data.

Live interactive report: https://autoscout.fyi/cars/tesla-model-s

## Verdict

- **Best value year**: 2017
- **Ideal trim**: 75D
- **Target mileage**: 50,000–70,000 miles
- **Max previous owners**: 2
- **Target price**: £23,999

## Why this model

The Tesla Model S is a fantastic choice if you're looking for a premium, high-performance electric car with a massive range and cutting-edge tech. It's incredibly quick, comfortable for long journeys, and benefits from Tesla's extensive Supercharger network, making long-distance travel a breeze. While new prices were steep, the used market has seen significant depreciation, making older models a real bargain for the tech and performance you get. It's a proper luxury EV that still feels modern.

## What you should pay

The used Tesla Model S market has seen substantial price adjustments, making it a compelling option for buyers. Our target price of £23,999 is for a good value 2017 Model S 75D with around 50,000-70,000 miles. This model comes with a liquid-cooled 75kWh battery, which helps manage degradation effectively, typically around 1.8% per year. At 5 years old, you'd expect around 91% State of Health (SoH), meaning plenty of usable range left. This price point represents a sweet spot where the initial heavy depreciation has already occurred, offering a lot of car for your money.

## Which trim to buy

For the target price, we're recommending the 2017 Tesla Model S 75D. While not the absolute newest or most powerful, it offers an excellent balance of range (around 200-220 real-world miles), performance, and the full Tesla experience at a significantly lower price point. It still benefits from the Supercharger network and over-the-air updates, making it a very capable and technologically advanced car for the money. It's where the value really starts to shine after the initial depreciation.

## What to check before you buy

- Air suspension failure (compressor or struts)
- Door handle mechanism failure (can get stuck or not present)
- MCU (Media Control Unit) screen yellowing or failure (eMMC chip degradation)
- Charging port issues (stuck charger, slow charging)
- Panel gaps and interior rattles (more common on earlier models)
- Battery degradation (though liquid-cooled helps, always check SoH)

## Running costs

Running a Tesla Model S can be surprisingly affordable, especially with home charging. Based on real-world efficiency of around 3.2 mi/kWh: if you charge at a standard home rate (Ofgem cap 24.5p/kWh), it'll cost you about 7.6p/mile, or roughly £758 a year for 10,000 miles. However, if you switch to a smart EV tariff like Octopus Go or Intelligent Octopus (around 9p/kWh overnight), this drops to a super-cheap 2.8p/mile, costing only about £279 a year for 10,000 miles – a huge saving of £479 annually! Road tax for EVs is free until April 2025, after which it will be £195 per year. Insurance can be on the higher side due to the car's performance and repair costs, so expect to pay £800-£1500+ annually depending on your driver profile.

## Key stats

- **Fuel Type**: Electric
- **Horsepower**: 417 hp (Long Range)
- **Mpg**: 3.2 mi/kWh
- **Reliability Score**: 7/10 (Above average for EV powertrain, some build quality concerns)
- **Safety Rating**: 5-star Euro NCAP (2014, core structure similar for later models)

## Trim comparison

| Trim | Price new | Price used | Key features |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 75D (2019) | £70,000 | £20,000 | 75 kWh battery; Rear-wheel drive; Autopilot hardware |
| Long Range (2019) | £85,000 | £28,000 | 100 kWh battery; All-wheel drive; Longer range (up to 300+ real-world miles) |
| Performance (2019) | £100,000 | £35,000 | 100 kWh battery; Dual motor all-wheel drive; Ludicrous Mode acceleration |

## Depreciation forecast

| Year | Estimated value | Retention |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2026 | £23,999 | 100% |
| 2027 | £21,119 | 88% |
| 2028 | £18,585 | 77% |
| 2029 | £16,355 | 68% |
| 2030 | £14,392 | 60% |

The Model S has already taken a significant depreciation hit, especially older models. Buying a 2017 75D now means you're getting it after the steepest part of its value curve, making future losses more manageable. While all cars depreciate, the rate for this specific model and age should be slower than a newer EV, offering better long-term value retention for the buyer.

Total value lost since new: 40%.

## Alternatives to consider

- [Porsche Taycan](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/porsche-taycan.md)
- [Audi e-tron GT](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/audi-e-tron-gt.md)
- [Mercedes EQS](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/mercedes-eqs.md)

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Source: AutoScout (https://autoscout.fyi). Part of a review of the UK used-car market across 500+ models.