What are the negatives of owning a Tesla?

Tesla is among the most popular car brands on the market. Thanks to its sleek design, advanced technology, and excellent range. However, Tesla also has several negatives that interested buyers should know about before making the final move. 

Some of the common shortcomings of owning a Tesla include build quality problems, high repair costs, high initial price, dull interior, lack of service centers, battery degradations, longer repair time, and low towing capability. So, if you intend to own a Tesla, be ready to contend with these setbacks. 

Here are the negatives of owning a Tesla explained in detail: 

1. Build quality problems 

One of the main challenges that Tesla owners face is build quality issues. The demand for Tesla has increased rapidly and forced the company to ramp up production, which has resulted in low-quality production. Nevertheless, if your car comes with a construction problem, you can always return it and have it fixed. 

The good news is that not all Teslas have build quality issues as this problem is common among Tesla Model 3, Model Y, and Model X. Tesla Model S has the least cases of build quality problems. So, take your time when buying a Tesla to land a model with a few issues or one with none at all. 

Some of the common build quality issues are paint job, panel gaps, misaligned trims, and rattles. 

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2. High repair costs 

Being a luxury car, repairing or maintaining a Tesla doesn’t come cheap. So, if you decide to acquire one, you should be ready to set aside some good funds to repair the car when it breaks down. On the contrary, Tesla is slightly cheaper to maintain than other luxury cars, such as Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW. 

3. High initial price 

Another negative about owning a Tesla is the high initial cost. Since Tesla is a luxury car, you will have to break the bank to own it. The cheapest Tesla Model, which is the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus goes for about $38,000. However, Elon Musk has promised to make a car that will cost about $25,000. 

4. Dull interior

If you have owned a Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW, or even Audi, you will realize that the Tesla interior is lacking. Being a luxury car, Tesla has to do a better job of providing a luxurious and comfortable interior. At the moment, it’s simple and plain, which is a knock on this beautiful EV. 

5. Lack of service centers 

The main headache about owning a Tesla is waiting for days for your car to be fixed. Since Tesla service centers are not many and they don’t have dealers, you may have to wait for days before your car is fixed. What’s more, you will have to make an appointment first. 

6. Battery degradations 

If you live in cold areas, battery degradation is a serious issue and you may have to change your battery within a shorter period. Regardless, Tesla’s battery will still lose at least 10% of its range within a few years of ownership. 

7. Longer repair time

Apart from having costly repairs and a few service centers, the times it takes to repair your Tesla is insane. This is because Tesla is busy ramping up production but it’s not corresponding with the number of new service centers being opened. 

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8. Low towing capability 

Even though you can tow with a Tesla, this will mean that you sacrifice at least 50% of your range, which is ridiculous. For example, if your Tesla has a range of 320 miles, you will only have a range of 160 miles. Therefore, you won’t be able to tow heavy equipment as gasoline cars do. 

What are the positives of owning a Tesla? 

Despite having several setbacks, Tesla also has several positives, which include low cost of ownership, excellent design or style, lack of dealership, safe cars, self-driving technology, low depreciation level, and advanced infotainment system. All of these amazing features make driving a Tesla to be fun. 

FAQ

Do Teslas have a lot of problems?

No, Tesla does not have a lot of problems like other luxury car makes and models. This is because Tesla has fewer moving parts than most luxury cars; thus, there are a few things to worry about. However, Tesla also has its own common problems, such as build quality.  

Are Tesla owners satisfied with their cars? 

Yes, Tesla owners are satisfied with their cars despite the negative challenges that they face on a day-to-day basis. Thanks to the highly advanced features that Tesla offers, exceptional performance, safety, and comfort. On top of that, Tesla has the best range among electric cars, making it the best option for people looking for a reliable luxury EV. 

How long do Tesla cars last? 

Teslas can last over 20 years if properly maintained. Since the longevity of electric cars depends on the durability of the battery, most Teslas will last between 300,000 and 500,000 miles. Nonetheless, it has been rumored that Tesla is in the process of designing a battery that will last over a million miles. 

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So, if Tesla manages to build a battery that lasts over a million miles, this will be a fantastic milestone. But at the moment, if your Tesla battery degrades after 300,000 miles, you will have to replace it with a new one, which is quite costly. On the contrary, the body of the car may wear out faster than the battery. 

Are Teslas expensive to fix? 

It depends on what you’re fixing. If you’re fixing simple car parts, then you will spend a few dollars. But if you’re dealing with a serious issue, then you will have to spend a lot. Besides, getting your car fixed at a Tesla service center is the most difficult part as you may have to wait for days or even weeks. 

Conclusion 

If you intend to acquire a Tesla, it is important to know the positives and negatives before paying for the car. Some of the main setbacks that you will experience as a Tesla owner include high initial price, high maintenance costs, longer repair time, dull interior, battery degradations, build quality, lack of service centers, and low towing capability. 

Hence, if you’re ready to contend with these challenges, then you can go ahead and get the Tesla model of your choice. 

Edwin Odipo

Why do you love writing about cars? Cars make our lives easy. You can visit your distant friend, relative or even rush to the grocery store a few miles from your home with a lot of ease. Imagine how life was before the invention of cars?? To me, cars are a blessing that made life more convenient.

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