Welcome to Tesla Motors Club
Discuss Tesla's Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, Cybertruck, Roadster and More.
Register

Changing mind on trade-in during delivery

This site may earn commission on affiliate links.
I am finishing filling out registration information for the Model Y order, but I"m stuck on what to do with the trade-in.
I have a quote for trade-in of my vehicle but that assumes the car is in good condition. Mine is ok inside, but has good amount of rust (11 years parked by the ocean) outside (undercarriage and parts around the engine block). When filling out the trade-in detail, I can post requested photos, but based on the form, there is no option to show rust. I requested a call-back from Tesla to talk about it but didn't get a callback yet.

So the question is - can I add the trade-in as is now, and when the car is ready to be delivered (which could be many months from now), reassess the trade-in value? Or even decide to withdraw the trade-in and pay full price (and do the car sale with Carmax or elsewhere separately)? I'm just afraid that I will get stuck with the decision I make now.

I know from prior experience that Carmax can buy rusty but functional cars to strip for parts (and at least inside everything is in excellent condition) so that's an option. But with the self-quarantine stuff happening and many Carmax stores closing, I don't really have an opportunity to make this decision now, and hope that I can defer it to the time of delivery.
 
Most trade in offers are subject to inspection at the time of turn in.

But can I decide not to go through with the trade-in at the time of delivery? I understand that you can't do the opposite - ask for trade-in when it wasn't selected first, but if I go to carmax and get an offer from them, then get worse offer from Tesla, can I just opt out of trade-in, get the car sold at carmax, then pick up tesla later?
 
I asked a similar question and the deliver adviser said that they ask — if at all possible — to request to make the change a few days prior to delivery so that the documentation can be changed in advance. However, if I need to at the time of delivery, they could do it.
 
The web page is asking me if I want to accept the Tesla trade in offer. My Tesla trade-in offer was very low. I got a Carmax appraisal today $2,600 higher. Tesla chat says just wait until contacted by the delivery team and then send a copy of the Carmax quote. Seem reasonable? I have no Tesla store here in WI to ask.
 
I traded in a car on my Model S purchase. Tesla never even looked at it. Literally, never looked at the car. I parked it in their lot and the delivery specialist went all through the paperwork and delivery of the Tesla, shook my hand, and watched me drive off. If I hadn't remembered to give him the keys at the last moment, he wouldn't have had them. I think they've already contracted with a wholesaler/auction house to take the car, no matter the condition.