How Many Miles & Years Do Teslas Last? 6 Examples (Actual Numbers)

Tesla is relatively new to the automotive industry as compared to other automakers as its first-ever vehicle was launched in 2008.

Despite being the latest brand, it has the most technologically advanced vehicles on the market.

But the main buyers’ concern is, do Tesla vehicles last that long?

Let us find out.

How many miles a Tesla can last:

Tesla vehicles are expected to last at least 8 years or 100,000 miles, but there have been examples of Tesla Model S cars that have lasted over 400,000 miles. This requires lots of maintenance and good driving habits.

For instance, if you consider the battery, Tesla states that the batteries placed inside the vehicles are eligible for replacement after retaining at least 70 percent of their capacity.

If you’re looking for numbers on how far they can go on a charge you can check our guide to Tesla range per model.

However, the number can vary depending on the model.

Many people don’t mind driving with a slightly underperforming battery which lets them drive a good 300,000 to 500,000 miles. We have an article here also on how reliable Teslas really are.

The following are some examples of how many miles a Tesla can last.

Let’s start with the two bigger models.

#1 – Model X and S Are Similar

If you consider the Tesla Model X and S, both vehicles have similar designs and batteries. Ideally, the Model S can go 400,000 miles in its lifetime.

This means the vehicle is fit for at least 300,000 miles before any issues occur.

The warranty provided by the automaker for the Model S is 150,000 miles. The industry average mileage is about 13 thousand miles a year, which gives the Tesla Model S approximately 22 years of driving.

#2 – Older Model S Cars

Looking at older Tesla Model S models, they can often last over 200,000 miles. This means they’ll easily outlive the warranty provided by Tesla.

We have seen several examples of this already and it’s a good sign for Tesla owners and people interested in Teslas.

Don’t expect the same mileage on older Tesla generations.

#3 – More on Model X Batteries

For Model X, the battery degradation numbers are 15% every 200,000 miles.

Ideally, if the vehicle drives 13 thousand miles per year, that would let the battery degrade less than 13 percent in more than 15 years of driving.

#4 – Model 3 Is An Upgrade

The Tesla Model 3 is an upgraded version of both previous models; Model S and X.

According to Tesla, the Model 3 can last up to 1500 charges, which means it can outlive Model S and Model X with only 20 percent battery degradation in 25 years of driving.

#5 – What About Model Y?

The Model Y is the latest vehicle released by Tesla in 2020 but the design and of the vehicle are quite similar to the former Model 3.

The battery of the Model Y can live up to the standard 300,000 miles with minimum degradation.

How is the first model S (from 2012) performing today?

The original Tesla Model S with the P85 was launched in 2012. This January, an owner in Germany of the P85 recorded about 932,256 miles on the vehicle.

The P in the name stands for performance and 85 indicated the battery pack installed in the Tesla vehicle.

Back in 2012, it took no longer than 4 seconds for the vehicle to reach 60mph. This was before Tesla released their fastest Model S Plaid.

The owner said that these recorded 900,000 miles have had their share of parts. For instance, the vehicle has gone through at least 3 battery pack replacements.

Here’s how many miles it took for each battery pack to run out.

• The first replacement took place after the vehicle was driven 180,000 miles.
• The second battery pack ran out after 93,000 miles.

Being electric vehicles, Tesla models do not require much maintenance as compared to gas-powered conventional vehicles. Electric cars generally need less maintenance.

There’s only one motor placed in the Tesla Model P85 on the axle, and the owner confirmed that there were at least 5 motor replacements before this mileage was recorded by the vehicle.

The 2012 Tesla covers about 150,000 miles per year, according to the driver.

We all know that Tesla makes improvements to its existing models almost every other month, but research suggests that the Tesla Model S from 2012 could still outrun all newer models based on its efficiency.

However, Tesla has made multiple improvements to the design, such as:

• performance,
• upgrading software features,
• enhancing its range,
• and much more.

The Tesla Model S is more expensive than the recent Model 3, which is why it isn’t retailing like it used to.

Although Tesla plans to make more improvements to the Model S P85 to spark the interest of potential buyers.

But right now, with the Model Y joining the scene, the sales of the original Tesla Model S 2012 are dropping.

Do Teslas last as long as gas-driven cars?

An internal combustion engine can cover approximately 200,000 miles (or 10 years) before it needs replacement, whereas the latest Tesla models can go well above 300,000 miles with minimum battery degradation.

However, any vehicle will last more or less if it’s taken care of and all standard protocols are followed.

Conventional gas-powered vehicles are still superior to electric vehicles as a majority of the world’s population still uses them as the primary mode of transmission, which means there aren’t any longevity issues as far as both powertrains are concerned.

As mentioned above, Tesla vehicles require minimal maintenance as compared to gas-powered vehicles that have multiple parts of the engine moving for efficient performance.

It’s a well-known fact that the automotive industry is slowly shifting towards fleet turnover, adding more advanced features to electric vehicles and reducing the production of conventional gas-powered vehicles to promote the use of eco-friendly electric vehicles.

Across the board.

In conclusion, gas-powered vehicles and Tesla’s electric vehicles can both last long provided they get regular maintenance.

An electric vehicle can cover an average of 7000-13,500 miles per year whereas a conventional gas-powered vehicle can drive 11,500 miles in a year. You might think that Teslas need a break-in period, but they don’t – they’re ready to go wild once you get them!

How long do Teslas last compared to other electric cars?

Despite being the latest brand in the automotive industry, Tesla’s rivals are failing to catch up with its pace, even when they have decent electric vehicle sales in the market.

The reason is Tesla’s continuous upgrade of existing models and the insane mileage and battery degradation cycles offered in its EVs.

You can read more about how soon a Tesla will lose battery range.

Here are a few comparisons between Tesla and other electric vehicles.

#1 The average Ford vehicle will last around 200,000 miles.

Suppose it covers about 15,000 miles a year, then it can drive more than 13 years with the same battery.

Whereas a Tesla vehicle such as the Model S can go an average of 300,000 miles in its lifetime.

There are also big differences in its range. For instance, the Tesla Model 3 has a 267-mile range while a Ford Mustang Mach-E range is about 211 miles.

#2 The average lifespan of a BMW vehicle is around 10 years (200,000 miles)

This is the same as Ford vehicles.

A Tesla vehicle can cover more than 500,000 miles in its lifespan. The Tesla Model Y has significantly better mileage (127 mpg) than a BMW i4 (109 mpg) in the city.

#3 The average miles an Audi vehicle can cover in its lifetime are about 150,000-200,000 miles

The vehicle itself lasts for at least 13 years or more before you need a replacement. A Tesla Model X degrades 10% of its battery every 200,000 miles.

Tesla vehicles can last more years due to their battery degradation cycles and miles covered in comparison to other electric vehicles in the market. 

However, multiple automotive brands have been around longer than Tesla, but Tesla still manages to attract many first-time buyers due to their exceptional output.

Tesla’s older models are just completing their decades, which would be a stepping stone in deciding how durable Tesla vehicles really are.

How long do experts think a new Tesla will last?

The 2012 Tesla Model S (P85) has a warranty of 8 years but the research confirms that the vehicle can last more than 10 years easily.

The expectation is the vehicle can cover approximately 150,000 miles in its lifespan, whereas it can certainly do more.

A 2017 Tesla Model 3 can last 350 miles on a full charge and will last more than 400,000 miles depending on how well the vehicle is maintained.

The Tesla Model Y is relatively new as it was launched in 2019, so it’s hard to predict how many years the vehicle will last.

However, the standard warranty states the vehicle will drive 300,000 miles if all protocols are followed.

Tesla has an average warranty of 8 years for their vehicle, but experts believe that a Tesla battery can easily live to pass its warranty because electric vehicles are very durable.

That is because Tesla provides monthly software upgrades to its existing models which reduces the risk of vehicles developing potential problems.

A big difference.

However, how long a new Tesla really lasts depends mostly on the driver.

For instance, the recharging cycles have a high impact on the battery of the EV, reducing its lifespan. If the user maintains the battery of the vehicle, it will easily cover more miles than its limit.

Another reason is that electric vehicles do not need maintenance like gas-powered vehicles do.

The battery of an electric vehicle is the core of its performance. If the battery starts to underperform for any reason, it will cut years of the vehicle’s lifespan.

Although the motors of electric vehicles do not require any special attention, it’s best to monitor the performance of the motors and replace them when the need arises.

How much range do Teslas lose year over year?

All electric vehicles lose about 2% of their range every year, but it may differ for different Tesla models.

Here’s how much range each Tesla Model loses within a year.

#1 Tesla Model S

The Tesla Model S retains 90% of its battery capacity after the first 50,000 miles are driven. Its battery degrades about 1 percent after every 30,000 miles. The degradation is 5% for every 125,000 miles.

#2 Tesla Model X

The Tesla Model X is said to lose about 9% of its range after 109,000 miles.

The driving range of the Model X is 348 miles when the vehicle is fully charged.

#3 Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 loses only 2.2% of its range after four years.

Less range is lost if the vehicle hasn’t covered 100,000 miles.

#4 Tesla Model Y

Tesla also claims that the Model Y battery pack only loses 10% of its energy after every 200,000 miles traveled.

What Tesla models last the longest?

In comparison to every other EV in the market, Tesla vehicles last the longest due to their minimum degradation cycles.

However, a lot of factors such as climate can affect the battery, range, and lifespan of the vehicle.

If we compare the average miles of all Tesla models:

• Model S,
• Model X,
• Model Y,
• and Model 3

It’s easily determined that the Tesla Model S has the longest battery charge and can easily last longer than all other models.

The battery for the Model S lasts for 405 miles of the drive. The Model 3 comes second to that with a 267-mile drive.

If we consider their overall mileage.

• The Tesla Model S can be maintained for over 20 years as it can go as long as 400,000 to 500,000 miles.
• The Tesla Model X should be capable of running for a good 15 years (more than 300,000 miles) before a replacement is needed.

What are the first things that typically break on a Tesla?

Tesla vehicles do not have major breakdowns such as an issue with performance, range, or acceleration. However, there have been some minor problems.

For instance, the 2012 Model S vehicles had an issue with their cooling systems.

In 2020, there was an issue with the gap between the hood and the body of the Model Y vehicle, and the CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, took to Twitter himself.

Model X vehicles had a navigation problem that later surfaced in 2020. Moreover, consumers had a lot of reliability concerns with the Model 3 Tesla, such as the paint quality and electronics of the vehicle.

Here’s a rundown of how often Tesla cars have problems.