Is my roadster a 2010 or 2011?

[NicholasJB]

I know Tesla didn't do model years, and instead did revisions (1.5, 2.0, and 2.5). However, bluebooks, auto-sale websites, etc, all work off of model year. So it would be helpful to know what I can list my car as.

My car is a 2.5 with a construction date in December of 2010. I believe the build number is 1159. One of the auto-sale websites (I believe AutoTrader) did a VIN check and listed it as a 2010. I also have a couple Tesla service records from way back that list it as a 2010. However, the majority of my Tesla service records are showing it as a 2011, so it seems like the consensus from Tesla is "2011". And given than 2.5s were started in late 2010 just like most manufacturer's 2011 models, that lends support that it's a 2011.

Are there any particular legal rules or industry standards that determine what a car can be listed as? How should I describe my car when I need to use a year instead of a model number? I don't want to mislead or get into trouble, but I also don't want to short-change myself in terms of valuation.

 

[wiztecy]

Well here's another wrench in the logic. My "2008" Roadster 1.5 was made in April 2009, not 2008. However its classified and well known to all as a 2008. I really wouldn't be too concerned about the year honestly and its just one of those things you just have to explain to a potential buyer.

What year does your insurance have it listed as? That's another reference point. I'd also email Tesla Corporate to see if anyone there can make some sense out of it.

 

[bonnie]

I think it's a 2010. My 2.5 shows a manufacture date of 1/1/2011 & it's 1194. Tesla goes by the manufacture date to determine year, unlike other manufacturers who call late fall the next model year.

Decoding Tesla Roadster VINs

If you look at post #20, you'll see that Roadster 1178 is a 2010, which would have been built after yours.

 

[Doug_G]

2.5 manufacturing started in 2010. I know because mine is a 2010 and was one of the very last 2.0's. They announced the 2.5 on the day I received my car.

 

[supersnoop]

Most of my service paperwork lists my 1.5 as a 2011. I wouldn't trust that.

 

[PowerSource]

I have a 120x car and it is a 2011. Change over must have happened around 1200 from 2010-2011