Why Are Teslas So Expensive To Repair? (5 Main reasons)

Tesla helps people skip buying gasoline, most people do not consider the other expenses associated with owning a Tesla.

In most cases, customers are fascinated with the idea of driving and owning a Tesla without considering the expenses for maintenance and repairs.

In this article, we will discuss why Teslas are expensive to repair and why they’re perceived to be the future of the automobile industry. Before we proceed, you may want to know if Teslas are easier to maintain.

1. Specialized and Sophisticated Components

Tesla makes use of high-tech components in the construction of its vehicles.

These car parts are different from conventional car parts of other automobile brands, which is one of the reasons Teslas are expensive to repair. 

Tesla vehicles are complicated to set up, requiring the input of well-trained professionals to understand the components used in building the cars.

Tesla components are rare and not common as parts seen in other popular automakers. 

2. Its Parts Are Not Mass Produced

Unlike other popular automobile brands, most Tesla body parts are produced in low quantities.

For example, the windshield of a Tesla Model X costs around $1,500 to fix, and this is quite pricey. For more on batteries, read our article about how much new Model X batteries cost.

Other car manufacturers mass-produce their car parts to meet consumers’ demand whenever their vehicles have issues.

Unfortunately, Tesla is a newcomer in the industry and has yet to start mass production of its car parts.

Shortage of these spare parts leads to higher repair expenses, which is a significant concern for individuals considering buying a Tesla vehicle.

3. Limited Number of Service Centers

Tesla has few service centers compared to the number of Tesla owners across the globe. The need for adequate service centers can increase the repair expenses of Tesla vehicles.

There is a massive demand for servicing Tesla vehicles with few service centers, and this is one of the reasons why Teslas are expensive to repair.

However, Tesla management is working hard to increase the number of service centers in several locations. It will ensure prompt servicing for Tesla vehicles with issues.

For instance, popular automakers that manufacture premium gas-powered vehicles, such as Lexus, Ford, General Motors, and Audi, have thousands of dealerships and independent mechanics that help owners to fix their car issues.

If you check the availability of service centers for servicing Tesla vehicles, you will discover that Tesla is lagging.

Recently, Tesla has been manufacturing vehicles at a significant rate and noticed a need to invest in more service centers to meet the demand for servicing from its customers.

To be fair to Tesla, it has been investing resources into building service centers, and we hope this will ease the stress on most Tesla owners. You can also explore which is cheaper between Rivian and Tesla.

4. Advanced Technology

Tesla uses proprietary hardware and software for its vehicle production. Their vehicles are famous for their advanced technology and are complicated to repair.

Repairing them requires expertise and time to fix. However, only technicians authorized by Tesla can perform repairs, leading to higher repair expenses.

Meanwhile, find out if Teslas break down less or more because that’ll help you determine if a Tesla is an ideal choice.

5. Scarcity of Qualified Technicians

Unfortunately, it is hard to find qualified technicians to repair your Tesla, leading to higher repair expenses. 

Most of the repair projects at Tesla are reported to be delayed due to a need for more professional specialists in its service department. 

However, Tesla has noticed this scarcity’s impact and has been trying to train their employees and technicians.

The service department invests huge resources in training personnel, resulting in a higher cost of repairing Tesla vehicles. 

These factors above, such as scarcity of qualified experts, shortage of service centers, lack of Tesla spare parts, and advanced technology in Tesla vehicles, are some of the critical reasons why Teslas have expensive repair costs. 

Tesla Repair Costs Versus Oil Change in a Normal Car

Most people are fascinated with the idea of not changing the oil when they own a Tesla vehicle. It makes you ponder about electric cars and the maintenance they need.

However, it is crucial to remind you that an average Tesla hardware repair is costly. If you are looking at saving money for an oil change, you may be spending more money when you have an issue with your Tesla. 

Teslas are designed to be easier to maintain than gasoline vehicles and Tesla owners do not have to worry about what gives gasoline-powered vehicle owners a headache. 

Their vehicles use regenerative braking, which ensures their brake pads’ longevity. Unfortunately, Tesla owners are not exempted from visiting service centers as well. 

If you own a Tesla, you must ensure only Tesla-certified technicians handle the servicing of your vehicles. Tesla warns that the company will not cover any damage caused by technicians not certified by Tesla.

Based on a report from RepairPal, the repair expenses for Tesla vehicles are about 27% higher than the vehicles with combustible engines powered with gasoline.

It also suggests that the average repair expense of any Tesla model is around $832 per annum. On the other hand, it costs an average vehicle $652 per annum for repairs.

Tesla is not known for reliability, as most car review websites do not rate them highly. Based on a J.D. Power 2021 Vehicle Dependability Study, Tesla ranked 30th out of 33 vehicle brands for reliability.

With that in mind, you may want to know how reliable Teslas really are.

Final Thoughts

Although Teslas are still more expensive to repair, it may just be a matter of time before they become common like other brands.

When this happens, there’s a high likelihood that repairs would become less expensive.

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