Tesla Model 3 Ultimate Buyers Guide

Last updated 16-Nov-2025

The Tesla Model 3 was launched in 2017 and gradually started rolling out to different countries. The model was Tesla's first genuinely high volume model and there are now many thousands of used examples on the market, and in many countries. In late 2020 it went through a fairly significant update, followed by a further update in late 2023 when Tesla revealed the "Highland" version. Each update moves the quality of the car on and whilst the cars from 2017 and today look fairly similar, they are very different in terms of both build and design quality. There have also been many variations of the model, both in terms of specification and where in the world they are made. We run through the history, the options, what we think are the common issues and make some suggestions on what to buy.

Why the Model 3?

Alternatives

The Model 3 has had an increasing number of competitors over the years. The obvious contenders are the Ford Mach E and Polestar 2 and from 2022 cars such as the BMW i4 and Hyundai ev6 which combine the performance needed to match the Tesla with a step up in refinement and luxury against the original Model 3, something Tesla have addressed with the Highland version. There is also increasing competition from China with the cars from the likes of BYD. People are still often drawn to Tesla for the supercharging network although in Europe this is no longer a differentiator as the network is largely open to all and there is an abundence of 3rd party chargers, and in the US, the market is standardising around the Tesla charging connector to allow the same.

The Highland update in 2023 introduced significant improvements in refinement with the only downside being the removal of indicator stalks. Even this has been addressed with cars from late 2025 have an indicator stalk, something that can also be retrofit. We'd still like a few more controls on the stalks for wipers, lights etc and not the scroll wheels and push buttons, but people generally get used to it.

New or used?

The Highland Model 3 is now available everywhere. Tesla sales are struggling compared to previous years and very competitive finance agreements can be had on new and demo cars, and even deposit contributions. Nearly new CPO models are often 20% below the new price, however these do not attract the cheap finance.

When considering new or used, the key differences in summary however are:

• Buying new or demo cars is worth considering if taking finance due to the Tesla contribution and very low finance rates.
• Nearly new CPO cars are best only considered if buying outright or with 3rd party finance. The monthly payment is barely different if taking out a Tesla finance agreement due to the much higher interest rates.
• Buying older used cars require a careful look at the difference in price between CPO and 3rd parties. 3rd Parties are nearly always 10% cheaper, however a CPO car almost always includes the EAP option and an extra year of warranty which closes the gap.

History of changes

The Model 3 had a soft facelift in 2021 and a further significant update in 2023, we have a buyers guide for the highland model if this interests you.

Ultrasonic Sensors (USS) for parking

For many years, Tesla used Ultrasonic Sensors, also known as USS sensors, or parking sensors, to advise drivers of the provimity of objects close up to the car when parking. In a controversial move, Tesla removed these from the car specification and expected drivers to rely on either the backup camera, or a software generated version of parking sensors using the cameras around the car as part of a software suite they call Tesla Vision. The performance of this is still very variable, and a number of features are currently not available on cars without USS.

The key dates are:

• From 4th October 2022, Fremont production of the M3 no longer had parking sensors.
• From 27th September, China production of the M3 destined for Europe no longer had parking sensors.

Media control unit (MCU) processor

The Media Control unit or MCU came with an Intel processor for many years. This is a power processor and in many regards did not need to be changed, however Tesla changed the procesor to a Ryzen one, similar to the one installed in the 2021+ Model S and Model X. This is the basis for more the latest software development and some features are only available on the Ryzen processor sich as Zoom. On the Model S and Model X, the Ryzen processor has more memory and can play Steam games, and it is possible that this type of technology will also pass to the Model 3 in time.

The key dates are:

• From 1st February 2022, Fremont production of the M3 switched to Ryzen
• From 12th November 2021, China production of the M3 destined for Europe switched to Ryzen.
• From early December 2021, China production of the M3 destined for APAC switched to Ryzen, there is some overlap in the first two weeks of December.

Battery size and range

At launch Tesla promised the $35k car which was the standard range, however few cars were delivered in this spec. In some countries compliance cars were made to meet regulatory targets and these are similar to standard range cars and are stripped down and reduced feature cars. The Standard Range Plus, Medium Range, Long Range and Performance cars followed with a combination of rear wheel drive and all wheel drive specs. The Long Range and Performance models were full premium specification with rear heated seats and higher spec sound systems and the larger battery also means it can charge slightly faster. Over time, the premium specification became standard on all cars with the exception of the HiFi. We generally advocate larger batteries, but for a entry level car especially if primarily a local run around car, the SR+ model is perfectly viable for most. As a rsult of the continued improvements to specification we would also advocate a later SR+/RWD model with heated steering wheel and heat pump over an earlier Long Range model without those items.

The Model 3 is one of the more efficient EVs you can buy, but that efficiency also means any changes in inefficiency can be magnified. The WLTP and EPA test results are also fairly limited in what they tell you as the weather, driving style and speed can all cause significant fluctuations in the available range. In cold weather energy is required to heat the cabin and the car efficiency is reduced as the battery warms up, the smaller the battery the larger the proportion of available energy goes to heating, as a result, stop start journeys in winter are worse than a single continual drive, and we've a page dedicated to cold weather driving to provide tips on how to improve range.

The cars with the heat pumop fair better in the winter, and the LFP battery cars with their willingness to charge to 100% can use more of their quoted range in the the real world.

• Be very careful about car versions and country of manufacture. At times, and in 2021 this happened a lot, Tesla shipped cars with different sized batteries for the same model depending on where the car was made. Model 3 Long range from the US were shipped with the 82kwh BT42 battery but the models shipped from China had the smaller, 75kwh BT38 battery. Similar changes occured with the shift to the LFP battery in the SR+ in late 2020 and the Performance models coming to the UK which did not originally have the 2021 spec battery. These cars are not necessarily better or worse, but when looking at specifications and comparing cars it is worth recognising that a video of a M3 Performance in America may not be the same as an M3 Performance in your country, and if you have a choice of two cars in your country, checking the details may decide which you prefer.

Which model?

When buying new, the choices are now:

• The Standard Range+ or SR+, later becoming just "Model 3" or "Model 3 RWD".

  This is rear wheel drive only, has the smallest battery and some of the features are reduced such as the hifi and no heated steering wheel before 2021. It can also be bought with a tow bar. The battery in some regions changed to a different type which was happy to be charged to 100% on a regular basis and with the efficiency of a single motor design, the range with after the 2022 battery increase became close to the older Long Range cars.

• The Long Range or LR.

  This is probably the best value with more range, all wheel drive, heated steering wheel and top spec hifi and the option to buy the performance/acceleration boost which gives performance near to that of the Performance model, especially over 30mph, although Acceleration Boost is not available on the Highland cars. The wheels are also much more forgiving than the performance model if the roads in your area are not of great quality, and a smoother ride even if they are. It can also be bought with a tow bar.

• The Performance or M3P.

  This has a similar drive train to the Long Range, but slightly better motors and software unlocked for slightly better performance. The wheels and brakes are bigger, the suspension said to be slightly lower although some tests show little difference, and has a higher top speed. It also offers a track mode. It can not be equipped with a tow bar.

We feel the Long Range offers the best value for money on older cars, although if looking at new, the RWD models are a great lower cost entry point. The performance of the LR model can be improved for relatively little money becoming virtually on a par with the M3 Performance, it can also be specified with a tow bar, and has all the features on offer such as heated steering wheels. If looking at older cars we are put off slightly by the SR+ as the specification of the car is lower thant he Long Range, although if budgets are tight, then these are probably the best entry level choice to Tesla ownership, preferable to the early Model S cars which are older and increasingly out of warranty.

Battery codes

Tesla use 2 different conventions for naming batteries. In the car configuration which you can sometimes access through MyTesla and can see when looking at inventory cars they use a code such as BT37, whereas on formal import paperwork they use a code such as EC5D. Websites like TMC often discuss the batteries using the E5CD type codes but potential buyers then have difficulty matching that to inventory in their region as Tesla don't use these codes in their inventory listings. EC5D also decodes as the first E signifies Model 3, 5C is the battery, and D or R represents either dual or rear motor cars. The table below helps match one to the other:

Since then, Tesla have introduced more batteries although the changes are typically only small changes in capacity or a change of manufacture.

Each Tesla has a model code which is a combination of various factors including the battery. There are a surprising number of permutations which we used to list, but it is now easier to type in the MT3xx code into our options look up tool and we will tell you the specification for that car.

Autopilot

Options

The Model 3 has few options besides exterior and interior color. There are however a few things to look out for:

• Alloy wheels

  The Long Range has almost always had a choice of wheel size, and more recently so has the SR+. Larger wheels tend to look better, but are more prone to accident damage and curbing, they also reduce range. The standard SR+ and LR wheels are often seen without the wheel covering which makes them look significantly different but they are in fact the same wheel.

• Tow bar/hook

  All but the Performance model can be specified with a tow bar/hook which are factory fit. The towing capacity is not that great but many find it a useful addition, even if just for a bike rack. Roof rails are also an after market option.

• Acceleration boost

  You may see Long Range cars advertised with an Acceleration boost. This is a software option and can be purchased for LR cars and would be activated by an over-the-air update.

• Homelink Garage door opener

  Some early cars had this as standard but it can be purchased after sale and fitted by Tesla.

• Rear heated seats

  These are standard on the Long Range and Performance and were a software unlocked option on the Standard range models until recently when they became standard on all models (from the Model 3 RWD).

• Heated steering wheel

  Not so much an option but a addition the specification. If you're looking at used facelift cars, don't assume they all have the heated steering wheel, so chack any car you are thinking of buying if this option is important to you.

What features does the car have?

To find out what is activated in the car follow this guide on how to find out what hardware versions a Tesla has. Many dealers are now including the required pictures in their adverts and those that do, clearly understand the cars.

Where was it made, and does it matter?

The simplest way to tell where the car was made is to look at the VIN. Using the 11th digit of the VIN tells you the factory, F is Fremont, and C is China. Some use the first 3 letters of the VIN (5YJ and LRW respectively) but this rule does not apply to all Teslas. Our VIN decoder provides additional information on the car. You can also look at out factory production plots to work out more or less when the car was built.

Free Supercharging

No model 3 came with unlimited free supercharging for the life of the car. Tesla have however offered a year free supercharging to cars delivered at the end of 2020. It is not clear if this is transferable to new owners within the year, generally speaking since 2017 any free supercharging given to new car buyers has not been transferable..

Common Model 3 issues

The model 3 was a new platform and Tesla seem to have learnt from a number of the previous issues, however they have also introduced some new ones. Most of the Model 3 issues are factory issues and not ones that develop over time so the owner or a good condition car is likely to run into fewer problems over time, however getting a car in good condition can be harder than it should be because of Tesla's stance.

• General panel alignment

  There are fairly significant and widespread alignment issues with the trunk, frunk, doors and even fixed panels which Tesla dismiss as within tolerance. Some owners have taken to adjusting panels themselves, especially frunk and trunk to get an even panel gap on each side as optically the car can look twisted. The rear passenger doors can also be slightly prominent compared to the front doors which makes them exposed to stone chips. You need to check along the length of any join as they may be accurate at one end and out at the other.

• Paint

  The paint is thin on the Model 3 in part because production has been constrained by the paint shop. The paint can also suffer from run marks and sanding marks and a number of car detailers refuse to touch Model 3 cars if following an inspection they are concerned. Some have reported that paint simply lifts off when using masking tape, trying to remove a paint protection film or even a slightly enthusiastic use of a jet wash.

  The second problem with the paint is wear near the wheel arches. Tesla have started to supply some owners with mud flaps to try and cut down on this wear which is needed considering how much damage can occur with relatively few miles.

  

• Cracked glass

  A number of Model 3s are experiencing the rear glass of the car cracking requiring replacement. There is typically no impact damage and the failure is thought to be a stress fracture from body flex in use.

  Tesla typically deny the issue is the car is more than a few weeks old.

• Missing bolts

  This is one of the most serious concerns you could possibly have with a car. In the UK an owner found his steering wheel nut was missing and the steering wheel literally came away in their hand. Thankfully this was an exception. But rear seat belts not being bolted into place have also been discovered and undercover panels with missing attachments. We'd class this as a general rushed state of build and the problem can occur anywhere on the car. Tesla have built many Model 3 cars and few cars suffer from this problem, but it is still a concern when picking up a new car.

• Under tray

  The under tray was originally a material that once wet would disintegrate. When cars in wetter climates started having the problem Tesla tried to pass the problem back saying the drivers had driven through water. They now have an improved part they will fit upon failure but it is still unclear whether Tesla will always accept this is a warranty matter.

• Rear bumper/fender in water

  The under tray is not the only panel to suffer when driving in water. The rear bumper on a number of cars has come off the car while driving in water and Tesla are now starting to accept that this may be a design issue. Driving on wet roads is thought not to be a problem unlike the under tray, the problem seems to be when driving through deeper standing water. Unlike the under tray issue, it is not clear whether there is a fix for this problem, or whether the two are somehow related where a failing under tray allows water pressure to build up behind the bumper.

• Mud flaps grounding

  Because of excessive stone chipping as mentioned earlier, Tesla introduced mud flaps which they free issues to many owners. These come in two sizes, however the larger size hit the ground under hard braking or uneven surfaces making a terrible noise and potentially weakening the mounting point with the car body. After market versions are said to be better, some people do not fit the larger of the two mud flaps, and some people cut them down to size.

• Leaks

  The model 3 seems to suffer from leaks especially into the trunk. These usually relate to badly installed seals, a problem Tesla have also experienced with the Model X.

• Water in lights.

  Cars with LED lights tend to suffer in general with condensation forming within the light cluster and the lack of heat (due to not using incandescent lights) can mean this persists. A small amount is to be expected simply due to atmospheric conditions, but if the drain is blocked then water can build up eventually causing the unit to fail.

• Heat pump

  The model 3 was updated to include a heat pump originally seen on the Model Y from the 2021 model year. The Tesla design is quite elaborate using an octovalve system which has various routing options of fluids around the car to work in the most efficient mode. We were initially unconvinced on how beneficial the design was as it caused a number of issues, but the software now seems to be sorted and it does offer some meaningful cold weather improvements. That aside, early cars experienced failures of the heat pump shortly after delivery. This does not appear to be a long term issue but one to be aware of.

• Powered boot/trunk strut

  Tesla started to include a powered boot/trunk strut on the Model 3. The implementation was pretty crude and they had to cut away part of the rubber trim to make it fit, something that many owners notice and think is a fault, in this case it is not. However, this strut does fail and can cause a significant problem with opening the boot to the extent the rear glass can break and/or damage to the bodywork can result. If you notice a suddenly out of alignment boot/trunk, then be very careful and we'd recommend not opening, and book the car into a service centre.

• LFP Battery in Model 3 SR+

  The LFP battery fitted to China built Standard Range+ cars performed very poorly on introduction. Over the air updates have addressed many of the issues and in the RWD form, the car is now a compelling alternative to the Long Range Model and in many regards a late RWD car with LFP battery is better equiped than an earlier Long Range Model. We would now recommend an LFP battery car over the earlier SR+ models.

Warranty

Model 3 cars come with 2 manufacturer warranties. One covers the battery and motor for 8 years and 100k or 120k mile warranty depending on battery size, whichever comes sooner. This covers the owner against failure or battery degradation although Tesla have written into the warranty that that battery losses due to software changes are allowed.

The second warranty is the general car warranty for everything else. This lasts for 4 years or 50k miles, which comes sooner. Few Model 3s will be out of warranty except based on mileage.

What would we buy used?

We don't particularly have a favourite. The SR+/RWD models tend to be significantly cheaper and offer good entry level value, the Long Range offer a more comfortable ride than the Performance and have better range, but the performance cars are great fun. We'd question buying FSD for a SR+ car and would suggest a Long Range without FSD for the same money would be more sensible and hold its value better.

The facelift cars starting in 2021 also have a number of advantages over the earlier cars with items like the heat pump and heated steering wheel. We would take a higher mileage 2021 or later car over a lower mileage earlier car every time.

If you're looking to buy new, then they are all good cars.

If you're looking at a slightly older car then we'd probably look at the Long Range AWD Model.

The Highland Performance car is has more power and the adaptive suspension but some find the sports seats uncomfortable. We would probably chose a late 2023 car over a highland if you wanted the performance, although this view is only because the Highland Performance cars are still relatively expensive.

You can check the whole market and compare prices between models on our Inventory listings.