Unexpected Challenges with a Used Tesla Purchase

It seems like not all used car purchases go smoothly, especially when it involves electric vehicles.

Daniel Boycott found this out firsthand after buying a 2022 Tesla Model 3 from a used car dealership in Illinois last month. Initially, he was pleased with the car—everything appeared clean, and it ran perfectly, with no issues reported during his test drive.

However, things took a turn when he attempted to charge it at a Tesla supercharger. The first station didn’t work, so he tried several others, only to face the same problem. Frustrated, Boycott reached out to both the dealership and Tesla.

“I was told it was a beautiful car. Carfax said it was in great condition, and I trusted that,” Boycott remarked.

Eventually, Tesla got back to him, revealing that his car is not eligible for supercharging because it’s classified as a “rescue vehicle.”

Initially confused by this designation, Boycott later discovered the vehicle’s history report, which noted “minor accidents” before it reached the dealership.

The damage seemed significant from the photos he viewed, and Tesla technicians warned him that previous repairs hadn’t been effective.

The concern for safety is why Tesla has removed his vehicle from the supercharging network. Boycott expressed his disappointment, stating, “The issues they flagged are serious enough.”

He had chosen a Tesla mainly for access to the extensive supercharger network, which is important for road trips. But now, he finds it almost impossible to travel anywhere, regardless of the distance.

Tesla does provide options for customers to get their vehicles inspected to re-enter the Supercharger network, but it comes with a hefty price tag—often several thousand dollars.

“I don’t want to pay an extra $10,000 for a car I already bought,” he expressed, still caught in negotiations with the dealership that sold him the vehicle. The dealership mentioned that the vehicle had been checked by the Illinois State Police Commissioner, confirming it wasn’t officially labeled as a rescued vehicle.