Does FSD stay with the VIN?

[AandWsDad]

Fellow Tesla Enthusiasts,

There are some good deals to be had on used Teslas through your standard used car dealers like Carvana and Vroom. Does anyone know for certain if FSD follows the VIN through a dealer?

For example, Jerry Schmoe buys a new Model 3 directly from Tesla in 2018. In 2020, Jerry Schmoe trades in his 2018 Model 3 to Carvana for some other (vastly inferior) car. Carvana takes ownership, lists the car on their website, and then John Doe buys it from Carvana. Will John Doe still get the FSD? Or will Tesla run a software audit, see that John Doe was not the person who purchased the FSD, and remove it? And what evidence do you have to support your claim either way?

 

[jboy210]

Fellow Tesla Enthusiasts,

There are some good deals to be had on used Teslas through your standard used car dealers like Carvana and Vroom. Does anyone know for certain if FSD follows the VIN through a dealer?

For example, Jerry Schmoe buys a new Model 3 directly from Tesla in 2018. In 2020, Jerry Schmoe trades in his 2018 Model 3 to Carvana for some other (vastly inferior) car. Carvana takes ownership, lists the car on their website, and then John Doe buys it from Carvana. Will John Doe still get the FSD? Or will Tesla run a software audit, see that John Doe was not the person who purchased the FSD, and remove it? And what evidence do you have to support your claim either way?

They remove free "Supercharging for Life" in this case. That is documented in the papers you sign at pick up that says "original purchaser" and from many user reports. No idea if there is similar wording on FSD.

My 2 cents is soon FSD will go to a subscription model. Just like a streaming service, Office 365, Adobe Creative Cloud, etc. A subscription makes it much easier to support the ongoing cash flow needs of developing these and FSD.

 

[Tam]

...what evidence...

If you talk to Tesla in person, e-mail, or "chat" feature on the website, Tesla insists that FSD stays with VIN and cannot be removed.

However, that is not the reality if you can look up the thread:

Tesla YANKED FSD option without notice - Class Action lawsuit? Any Lawyers here? [Resolved]

That's the grey zone of software-enabled feature. If it's accidentally and erroneously removed by mistake, how do you convince Tesla to put it back?

You can make sure your FSD stays with VIN if you can produce documentation that your FSD was purchased at least by one previous or current owner.

If you bought a used Tesla from Tesla, FSD would be documented as a paid item on the "Motor Vehicle Purchase Agreement".

Same with Free Unlimited Supercharger. If they are not documented then it's the luck of a draw to pray that you can still keep those features.