Battery degredation, maintenance costs and reliability of a high mileage Tesla Model 3 performance

Summary

This video script details a comprehensive review of a Tesla Model 3 Performance, debunking myths about electric cars' reliability and cost. The car, over 100,000 miles old, still performs well with minimal maintenance, showcasing its battery health, low running costs, and impressive durability. The host challenges the notion that electric cars are not suitable for high mileage, highlighting the car's performance, cost savings, and potential for long-term use.

Takeaways

• 🚗 The Tesla Model 3 Performance, despite being over four years old and having over 100,000 miles, is still in daily use and has maintained its condition well.
• 🔋 The battery has experienced 38% DC rapid charging, which is higher than average and can be harder on the battery, but it has held up well.
• 💸 The car's maintenance costs have been reasonable, with under £2,000 spent on repairs and maintenance, excluding tires and wiper blades.
• 🛠️ Maintenance has included replacement of a seat pad sensor, suspension bushes, and an oil pump for the electric motor, which is not common knowledge for electric vehicles.
• 🌱 The interior and exterior of the car have shown minimal wear and tear, with the build quality being better than some critics suggest.
• 💨 The car's performance has remained consistent, with only a slight decrease in acceleration time from new.
• 🔌 The cost of running the car, including charging, has been lower than that of a comparable petrol or diesel car.
• ⚡ The car has a significant amount of energy regenerated through regenerative braking, amounting to nearly 7,000 kilowatt-hours.
• 📉 Battery capacity has reduced to about 90% of its original state, which is a reasonable degradation for the miles covered.
• 📈 The car has depreciated by about £30,000 over four years, which is comparable to other high-performance cars with similar mileage.
• 🌟 The overall message is that high-performance electric vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 can offer a good combination of performance, low running costs, and acceptable depreciation.

Q & A

What is the main subject of the video?

The main subject of the video is to evaluate the performance, battery health, and overall condition of a Tesla Model 3 Performance that is over four years old and has over 100,000 miles.

What is the nickname given to the Tesla Model 3 in the video?

The Tesla Model 3 is nicknamed 'Clint Beastwood' in the video.

What percentage of the car's charging has been done via DC rapid charging?

38% of the car's charging has been done via DC rapid charging, which is a higher percentage than most and can be harder on the battery.

How does the exterior condition of the car appear after 100,000 miles?

The exterior condition of the car still looks good, with the white color hiding stone chips and swirls well. There is some minor cosmetic damage on the front edge of the seal due to lack of mud flaps on early models.

What is the condition of the steering wheel and seats after 103,000 miles?

The steering wheel and seats are in good condition with no significant wear or damage. The padding is still supportive, and the materials have held up well over the miles.

What maintenance has been required for the car?

The car has required replacement of a seat pad sensor, suspension bushes, and an oil pump. The front lower arms, rear upper arms, and a four-wheel alignment were also done, costing just over £500 including VAT.

What is the current range of the car after being fully charged?

After being fully charged, the car currently shows a range of 285 miles, compared to the original 297 miles when new.

How much has the car cost to run in terms of charging for 100,000 miles?

The cost to run the car for 100,000 miles, considering both home charging and DC rapid charging, is estimated to be around £4,000 to £4,500, depending on the proportion of DC charging used.

What is the current battery health percentage according to the car's display and an independent test?

The car's display indicates a battery health of around 96%, while an independent test by Cleav shows a state of health of 89%.

How does the car's performance compare to when it was new?

The car's performance is still very close to when it was new, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.45 seconds, only a slight increase from the 3.4 seconds recorded when the car had lower mileage.

What is the current depreciation of the car?

The car, originally costing £50,000, is now worth about £20,000, showing a depreciation of £30,000 over four years.