Europe bans the purchase of new old Tesla Model Y cars!
This page is translated from the original post "L’Europe interdit l’achat des anciennes Tesla Model Y neuves !" in French.
- 30/08/2025 11:14
If Tesla continues selling its old Model Y still in stock, a very unpleasant surprise will catch misinformed customers off guard.
Starting September 1, 2025, several owners and buyers of Tesla Model Y will have the very unpleasant surprise of seeing their delivery postponed. The reason: the implementation of new European homologation standards, which the previous generation of the American electric SUV no longer fully meets. Preventing their registration and consequently their right to drive. An absurd story!
The European homologation is the process that allows a manufacturer to market and register a new vehicle in the European market. Each model is validated according to a set of technical regulations (safety, pollution, electronics, cybersecurity, etc.). A homologation certificate is valid for a “generation” of vehicle, but it must be regularly updated to keep up with regulatory changes.
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Three new key standards come into effect
As of September 1, 2025, any new vehicle registered in Europe must comply with three new requirements:
– Steering column: reinforcement of mechanical resistance and energy absorption in the event of a frontal impact.
– Safety belt anchor points: new tolerances imposed for the strength and geometry of the attachments.
– Low voltage electrical systems (48 V and above): requirement for additional protections against short circuits, water infiltration, and fire risks.
These standards are part of European regulation 2018/858 and its appendices, supplemented by provisions from UN/ECE regulations (notably R14, R79, R100, R155, and R156).
Why is the old Tesla Model Y affected?
The Tesla Model Y “phase 1” (marketed from 2020 to mid-2025) was homologated according to the rules in force at the time. It therefore perfectly meets the previous standards but was not designed to integrate these latest developments. As a result: the already registered cars can continue to drive without any restrictions, while the models still in stock or in the process of delivery can no longer be registered until Tesla obtains an extension of the homologation type.
Several buyers have received a message regarding the delivery postponement: “Due to a recent government decision, the Model Y Long Range Propulsion of the old generation will no longer be homologated starting this Sunday (August 31, 2025). We have therefore initiated a request for homologation extension to finalize the procedure.”
For customers who have already paid, the hostage situation by Tesla is unprecedented. The American manufacturer has never communicated about the risk of being unable to use their vehicle.
Will there be legal actions and other class actions against Tesla for false advertising? Even today, the Tesla France website is offering old Model Ys for sale without ever informing the customer of the situation. Tesla is looking to get rid of its old Model Ys, regardless of what that implies afterwards.
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