“You can’t beat a car that looks that good for…”
Getting a great deal on a used car is the holy grail of car buying. One man says that he recently got the deal of a lifetime on a 2013 Tesla Model S.
Used car salesman Minnesota Value Motors (@mnvaluemotors) recently shared a TikTok about the purchase.
“Check this out $8,500 bucks. Baller on a budget! This is a 2013 Tesla. Look how slick it looks. I get compliments everywhere. Door handles pop out,” he gushes.
Despite the relatively low price, especially compared to its MSRP of between $60,000 and $95,000 upon release, is a 13-year-old EV a good purchase?
While the $8,500 price may seem appealing to some, there are some caveats drivers should consider. The most glaring is the average cost of EV battery repair.
InsideEVs reports that newer EVs have a low battery failure rate, meaning drivers considering the switch to electrified rides shouldn’t dwell on hypothetical battery failures. However, this is largely due to advancements in battery technology. Older electric vehicle power packs are more prone to failure.
Further, there’s no escaping the fact that lithium-ion batteries degrade over time. Meticulously adhering to healthy charging habits can extend a battery’s lifespan. This entails not letting the battery reach 0% charge and avoiding overcharging.
But even well-kept batteries can still fail. The 2013 model’s battery is no longer under warranty, per Tesla. Which means that the owner is on the hook for any repairs or replacements.
The price of a battery repair on a Tesla Model S largely depends on the extent of the damage and how it’s fixed. Bringing it to a Tesla service center will typically cost between $13,000 and $20,000. Electron writes that these service centers can sometimes lower costs by isolating defective cells and swapping out only those units. However, if too many lithium-ion cells are dead, the outlet writes that a full replacement is necessary.
You can also save by trying an independent shop. Because there are more EVs on the road today, third-party battery repair shops have been popping up to meet demand. At an average of $9,000 to $14,000 per repair, these establishments often have lower rates than Tesla service centers. Many also offer warranties on their batteries, so the risk is arguably low.
As shown in Minnesota Value Motors’ video, the 2013 Model S features an older vertical infotainment display. This means it has an older MCU1 chip. In order for drivers to have a smoother experience accessing the car’s functions, and regularly receive updates without hiccups, they may want to upgrade to the MCU2.
Tesla offers this upgrade for $1,500. As Find My Electric reports, it’s a good idea to upgrade due to “potential (probable) eMMC failure.” Another added benefit is access to Full-Self Driving (FSD) updates and a better modem: the MCU1 has 3G connectivity, while the MCU2 has 5 G connectivity. There are also a slew of apps supported by the upgraded eMMC that Tesla owners won’t be able to access on their older Teslas.
There are other service charges folks thinking about purchasing a 2013 Model S should prepare for as well.
Front control arm and suspension failures are reportedly an issue that often manifests as a croaking or groaning sound when the vehicle turns. This costs around $2,700 to fix. Moreover, users on the Tesla Motors Club also say that the 2012 to 2014 Model S cars are known to have “bearing or rotor faults.”
The 2013 Model S was also issued a seat belt warning system recall notice, so make sure that’s addressed before hitting the road. And the automatic door handles have also reportedly failed to open.
So while that $8,500 may seem like a good deal, you could be looking at paying thousands more in repairs.
Minnesota Value Motors is nevertheless pleased with the purchase. “Man, you can’t beat a car that looks that good for $8,500 bucks,” he says. “And this thing’s cheap as hell to drive with gas prices where they are.”
Motor1 has reached out to Minnesota Value Motors and Tesla via email for further comment. We’ll update this article if either replies.
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