Used Tesla Vehicles: Why Are They So Difficult to Sell?

With new prices constantly fluctuating, it’s not easy to position your Tesla on the used car market without losing money.

For sale: Tesla Model 3 Standard Plus, white, year 2021, 34,430 km, €46,480. That’s the kind of listing that floods the leading used car site in France, La Centrale. The problem: the same model, taken as an example here (which exists at the time of writing this article), is now €10,000 cheaper new from the American manufacturer, once the ecological bonus rebate is applied. As of May 5, 2023, a Tesla Model 3 Propulsion (with 491 km WLTP range) is listed at €41,990… before bonus. That’s €36,990 after the discount.

Tesla’s constant price fluctuations is a real source of frustration for customers, as it creates a feeling of being ripped off depending on the period. Similar to sales: some manage to seize good deals, while others pay full price. The danger is that customers lose confidence… or wait for the next price drop. Tesla’s financial results are closely monitored, and the Californian manufacturer appears to play more than its competitors with stock management and publicity effects to attract attention.

As a result, some customers who bought their cars at the “wrong time” find themselves trapped. For example: the car registered in 2021 was probably ordered at the end of 2020, when Tesla Model 3 prices were at their highest. The depreciation applied is accurate… except that since then, the manufacturer has lowered its prices by €9,000. Compared to summer 2022, the drop is even greater: -€12,000!

For Tesla owners looking to sell, there’s no other choice but to sell at a loss. Semiconductor shortages are easing, delivery times for new cars are decreasing, and used car prices will stabilize. Is the speculation around Teslas over?

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