If you’re shopping around for a new car, it’s likely you’ve thought about the difference between maintaining a standard, off-the-lot new car and an Electric Vehicle (EV). Tesla is probably the first EV brand you thought of. Let’s take a closer look at the realities behind a Tesla Model 3’s investment costs and just how much maintenance cost is. Is it economical (or not) to maintain a Tesla Model 3 over traditional auto brands?
A tesla’s maintenance cost is $832 per year on average. Tesla is a luxury car brand. The average Luxury car brand’s maintenance cost is $976 per year. Compared to other luxury brands a tesla’s maintenance cost is less expensive. The average car brand’s maintenance cost is lower at $652 per year.
While other major auto manufacturers are also developing and releasing their own versions of battery-powered cars, it’s Tesla’s first-to-market strategy – with an iconic, polarizing founder to boot – that really introduced EVs to the mainstream.
If you are a new car buyer, you’re likely considering not only how much your new car will cost, but how much cash it will take to maintain it over time. What does that first five years or 50,000 miles of ownership really look like?
It might be surprising to think that a Tesla could be less expensive to maintain than any other luxury car, but the proof is there. And if you’re someone who likes to know you’re getting a good deal, then adding a Tesla Model 3 to your list of new car options is a very financially-sound choice for a new car.
The Model 3 is considered a luxury-class car so it’s fair to say Telsas are cheaper to maintain than their gas-powered equivalent. The Tesla Model 3 turns out to be .
But let’s be honest, even though buying a Tesla Model 3 will save you money year-over-year, there are other advantages to owning one that aren’t financially driven.
- You look good doing it. Their sleek design makes you stand out on the road and since we’ve already determined it’s a cost-effective option, you look smart as well.
- They are easy to use. Their minimalist design means the whole dashboard has moved to a screen, nothing obstructing or distracting you. And there’s no physical key to lose – brilliant!
- It’s a fun car to drive. It can navigate familiar roads for you mostly hands-free and the screen offers your passengers a ton of entertainment options.
- Unrivaled safety in a Tesla. No engine in the front, so the nose of the car absorbs impact before it reaches you in the driver’s seat. Low center of gravity prevents rolling. And, of course, all the hazards the built-in cameras can detect for you.
If you’re considering owning a Tesla Model 3 and are serious about making a well-researched choice on what it will take to keep that vehicle running, then we’ve got the data you need to make an informed decision. In this article, we cover service costs, standard maintenance vs DIY, and reliability of the Model 3 in-depth. Read on.
Tesla Model 3 regular service costs
There’s nothing worse than hearing that squeak of your brakes or that pull in your steering wheel that tells you something is wrong. And then your next thought is: how much is this going to cost me? Like any automobile, a Tesla does require maintenance, it is just a different cadence of services needed than say a Ford, Lexus or BMW, for example.
Don’t let the fear of the unknown slow you down, though. The Tesla website and various online communities have tons of information on the care and feeding of a Model 3. In no time, you will have a comfort-level for what it takes to be a responsible owner of a modern, electric car.
When it comes to Tesla Model 3 services costs – while most maintenance is competitive price-wise – what you spend will ultimately depend on where you live, the model of Tesla you own, and the going service cost with inflation. Prices can range from $60 to replace an air cabin filter to $175 to lubricate brake calipers. Check online or with a certified technician for more information on costs in your area.
Here’s a grid showing some of the regular maintenance needed and the associated costs.
| Replace air cabin feature | Every 2 years for Model 3 | $60 – $200 |
| Rotate tires, align wheels | Every 6,250 miles | $35 – $100 |
| Test and replace brake fluid | Every 2 years for Model 3 | $100 – $110 |
| A/C service | Every 6 years | $100 – $200 |
| Lubrication brake calipers | Every 12 months | $175 – $250 |
| Changing out HEPA air filter | Every 2 years | $220 – $250 |
And, while these maintenance costs do make it more affordable to own a Tesla than a conventional auto, there are other factors to consider that affect the monthly and yearly expenses of ownership.
Some of those are:
Fuel
Cost savings on fuel is the obvious first consideration. So, when you’re figuring out what you can pay per month for an EV, keep in mind that the monthly payment can also cover the cost of gas you would have been spending on a combustion engine car.
Tax Credit
Depending on the state you live in, you could be eligible for a tax credit when you buy an electric-powered vehicle. In addition, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes a federal tax credit for certain EVs for up to $7,500.
Charging Stations
This will be an expensive incurred for owning a Model 3 assuming you plan to charge on your property (most Tesla owners do) as opposed to using the nationwide network of chargers. It is worth exploring whether your city or local utility company offers credits or incentives for chargers at your home.
Insurance
Obviously, any auto insurance premium prices are going to depend on the state you live in and your driving record, but generally speaking costs for insuring a Tesla are generally higher than most other cars. Tesla does have its own insurance offering now that claims to be cheaper, but it’s only offered in California at this time.
Where do you find Tesla maintenance service?
It’s not uncommon for anyone not familiar with EVs to wonder where in the world you take them for maintenance. Is there a Tesla dealership you can drive up to and drop off your car?
While there are a few standalone Tesla dealers in the U.S., the usual method of getting your car maintained falls a bit outside the norm. In fact, the best way to get your Model 3 – or any other model for that matter – serviced is to have the technician come to you. It’s like doctors who made house calls back in the dY: they diagnose your problem right at your home or office and set out to fix your vehicle on-site.
The best way to find a place to service your Tesla is to either contact a mobile service provider, find an authorized third-party, or take your EV to a brick and mortar Tesla service center.
Tesla.com has an interactive map feature where you can search your area for service centers as well as stores, body shops, and superchargers. Your best choice of service provider will depend on if you need a repair, standard maintenance, or body work.
The benefit of Tesla’s on-the-go approach to service is that if you’re traveling, you don’t have to worry about finding a local service shop to help you out. Help is literally a phone call away. For roadside assistance anywhere in the continental United States you can simply call 1-977-798-3752.
If it’s scheduled maintenance you need, you can set that up through the Tesla App:
- Open the app
- Tap “Service”
- Then follow the prompts from there
And it’s not enough to just make the appointment, you need to do some prep for the visit. Again, it’s all a bit different than conventional car repair with Tesla. Since they can remotely access your car’s diagnostics, the service team can do a pre-check and order any necessary parts ahead of time for your repair.
Then once the Tesla crew has done their work, they may even email you an estimate for the service before your appointment date. This is super convenient and helps ensure everyone is on the same page before the work begins.
Then, once they finish the repair on your vehicle, you will receive a notification on the Tesla App that your Model 3 is ready for pick up. From there, you’re good to go and back on the road.
Of course, all of this process is just great assuming things go as planned, but it’s no secret there have been many complaints about Tesla’s ability to provide quality service to their growing customer base.
Some top criticisms of the EV manufacturer over the past two years have been:
- Build off the line is low quality
- Shortage of available repair techs
- Charging times are slow
- Issues with autopilot
- Failed power steering system
- Significant wear on new batteries
According to Car Scoops, as of September of 2022, Elon Musk has promised improvements to the build-out and service levels. He has even assured customers that Tesla North America aims to provide same-hour solutions for over 50% of standard complaints.
Can you maintain your Tesla Model 3 yourself?
For generations, gearheads have taken a certain pride in popping open the hood of their street racer and wrenching on it themselves. Taking their Camaro to a mechanic seemed almost like sacrilege. Need brakes? Oil change? New tires? Yes, these were things they did in their own driveway with some tools and a jack. And maybe a buddy to hold their drink while they reached down to loosen a lug nut.
But in today’s world of vehicles that operate mostly by computer – or literally even drive themselves around through Artificial Intelligence – the dynamic of getting a car fixed has changed quite a bit. Body shop work, of course, is a different thing, but when you need something under the hood repaired or even your oil changed, it’s become a different world.
So, the question now is can you maintain a Tesla Model 3 yourself in any way at all?
Do-it-yourself car enthusiasts will be happy to know the answer is yes. While things like brake replacement and battery issues must be done by a certified technician, there are several things an owner can maintain on their own, albeit a fairly mundane list. According to the Tesla Model 3 Do It Yourself web page, things like powercycling, wiper replacement, calibrating windows, and checking tire pressure can be done by the owner.
Let’s break down a couple of them.
Powercycling – If your Tesla is behaving in an unusual manner – much like you might reboot your computer when its acting up – you can powercycle and restart your vehicle. It’s a simple action of finding the “Power Off” button under your Controls area. After it’s shut down for a couple minutes, hit the brake to bring it back to life.
Wipers – Much like a standard car, you can very easily replace the blades on your Tesla. Wiper fluid is the only reservoir you as the owner can top off. It’s found behind the front trunk.
Windows – You will only need to do this if you think your windows are not reacting correctly. Recalibrating resets the window features and generally fixes any unlikely issues.
Tires – Can you change out tires on your own on a Tesla? There are plenty of YouTube videos to show you how, but it’s recommended you have a certified service technician take care of it for you. Checking your pressure is like any other car.
Keep in mind, Model 3’s (and all Tesla models) require less maintenance than a combustion engine vehicle does. There are a few reasons for that, but specifically the areas that an EV doesn’t need any maintenance on – because it doesn’t have these things – are:
- Air filters
- Timing belts
- Emission checks
- Oil
- Spark plugs
Some of the areas of an electric car you cannot maintain on your own include:
How reliable is Tesla Model 3?
If you’re new to the EV world, you may wonder just how reliable an electric-driven street machine may be. And with good reason. Saving dollars on maintenance is great, but will your Model 3 hold up over the long haul? Is it a vehicle you can count on?
The good news is there have been many reputable studies done to determine this very thing. Let’s breakdown how reliable Teslas really are.
It turns out Teslas on a whole are very reliable cars. In fact, according to Consumer Reports in 2022, the Tesla Model 3 is the second most reliable electric car you can buy. And it makes sense they are reliable because EVs have fewer moving parts to potentially fail on the road.
The saviors of Tesla’s reliability lie in things like their regenerative braking. The brakes aren’t taxed much while in use and, conversely, every time you hit the brakes, you charge the battery. And while it’s been reported that the batteries and charging units can be temperamental, the flip side of uncomplicated transmissions and exhaust systems coupled with no engine oil or spark plugs to deal with make it all very much worth the investment.
All this is not to say everything about Tesla’s reliability is positive. Some other models like the Y and S have not had as great of a showing in that category. On a whole, though, the EV market – Tesla and other automakers alike – are taking this all seriously – and they continue to improve year-to-year. And with the shift to almost all manufacturers putting some sort of hybrid or fully-electric 4-wheeler on the road today, there will be more cars to test. And that means more baseline data to work from. And that is always a good thing.