How to be 100% sure a M3 is the 2021 model.

[neilrlsmith]

So I have my eyes on a 20 plate M3 and Tesla CS cannot help me by answering a simple question. Is this the 21 MY!? So I know the one tell tale sign which is the dechrome which this has, but my concern is that it's a 20 plate and there are 70 plates that are MY <20. So either is the very first MY 21 ever OR this person dechromed it!

I know about the electric tailgate but wondered if any interior shots (seats) might help swing it to a MY 21 car!!

Thanks.

 

[SR-Plus]

The interior console around the cup holders are different.

 

[neilrlsmith]

can you tell from this?

 

[doats1]

Unless the previous owner transferred an older registration number to the car, it’s not a ‘21 model.

 

[SR-Plus]

Refresh model is the top photo with the integrated phone chargers and slide back console lid. The older model has a flip up storage lid in the middle section.

 

[neilrlsmith]

it says it has electric boot lid too. But 20 plate? really??

 

[SR-Plus]

can you tell from this?

That’s the pre refresh

 

[neilrlsmith]

ok there you have it. Thanks. Strange that it's dechromed and has electric boot lid (or so they say). But that's the interior shot so I'll go with you guys!

 

[neilrlsmith]

exterior

 

[Arran]

It’s a 2020 model. Few key ways to tell (having owned one)
- 2021 models were only registered Dec 2020 onwards. Nov and earlier are 2020 models.
- 2021 has a sliding centre console (a challenge to retrofit)
- Powered tail gate (can be after market)
- Blacked out Chrome (can be after market)
- Aero wheel covers are slightly different, (can be after market fitted as well)
- If you have access to the car you can remove the Frunk with a Socket Wrench, which should reveal the heat pump (impossible to retrofit)
- Online on the Tesla webpage for the owner of the car, it will list the car as the 2020 Model

—-
TLDR- all Model 3’s registered December 2020 onwards in the UK are the 2021 model. Even if on 70 plates

 

[neilrlsmith]

It’s a 2020 model. Few key ways to tell (having owned one)
- 2021 models were only registered Dec 2020 onwards. Nov and earlier are 2020 models.
- 2021 has a sliding centre console (a challenge to retrofit)
- Powered tail gate (can be after market)
- Blacked out Chrome (can be after market)
- Aero wheel covers are slightly different, (can be after market fitted as well)
- If you have access to the car you can remove the Frunk with a Socket Wrench, which should reveal the heat pump (impossible to retrofit)
- Online on the Tesla webpage for the owner of the car, it will list the car as the 2020 Model

—-
TLDR- all Model 3’s registered December 2020 onwards in the UK are the 2021 model. Even if on 70 plates

Thank you. Good job I checked.

 

[Ferret]

Wait till you realise that each year has various changes within the year...

 

[munkypuzel]

I'm confused - is it an MY or an MY?

model Y or Model Year?

 

[Irata]

- 2021 models were only registered Dec 2020 onwards. Nov and earlier are 2020 models.

Not quite, November 2020 deliveries were 2021 models.

I know as I have one, that final quarter deliveries were all 2021 models. This forum was full of photos of 2021 models in November 2020.

 

[Durzel]

Just a minor point but some M3s got delivered with the new frunk shell but with no heatpump. The in car “vehicle information” now tells you if it’s got a heatpump or not, no disassembly required.

 

[Irata]

The big topic at the time for 2021 models in the UK was the "matrix headlights" as they are commonly referred to.

They are the most obvious clue here and it's been shown they can't be retrofitted.

It was a different story in other countries.

 

[MrT3]

Wait till you realise that each year has various changes within the year...

Indeed. Is it a 2021 with the boombox, or the new front height sensor, or new hairpin motor, or new style rear lights, or larger battery - all of these changes happened on the LR at different times during 2021.

 

[Irata]

I don't know why Tesla even introduced the title of 2021 model, they were and are mostly against having model years.

But as a term, they created it and so it has gained some meaning. They even state it on their used car listings.

The ongoing changes are not even consistent, the original tail lights have returned, dimming wing mirrors went and returned, etc. So even changes are not necessarily permanent. And changes are not always better for the customer, even when clever wording suggests otherwise.

But I accept somehow, the term 2021 has cemented itself for whatever reason.

 

[Dommmm]

That looks pre refresh, I have a December 20 model 3 called the 21 and has the sliding door in Matt grey and two charge pads. My understanding the shiny console is the pre refresh.