PCP

[Scoobydo1502]

Hi,

I am in the process of getting a Model 3 Performance on PCP and would appreciate anyone who has had a PCP from Tesla if they experienced any issues when they returned the car at the end of the term. I am still undecided whether to go for 3 or 4 years. Is the PCP agreement with Tesla or the finance company who the PCP is with?

In Tesla's Maintenance Section it mentions about getting the tyres rotated every 6 months or 6350 miles and brake callipers checked very year/12,000 miles. Is that really necessary as I see a lot of people on YT saying they have had their Model 3 for years and never had any maintenance carried out?

If I take the PCP for 4 years do I have to carry out maintenance items before returning the car?

Thanks in advance and sorry if i've asked anything stupid.

John

 

[hsmithmiller]

While I'm not sure about the brake calipers as I tend to drive and slow the car as best I can using the motors to slow or stop the car, the tires are a very interesting issue with the TESLA Brand/Mark. The tires sold with the cars are standard issued passenger car tires with a special sound absorbing foam added to the tire interior surface at the tread level. The TESLAs are all very heavy for their class, and when fitted to the modified standard issue tires tend to wear the tires more than a vehicle of lesser weight. Also the torque produced by the electrical motors is exceptional and stresses the tires - depending of course on your style of driving. Finally alignment needs to be monitored. So while the car (other than the air filter which can get quite "musty from moisture and mold" has few moving parts, the tires were not invented by TESLA's superb engineers and designers, and so their performance is challenged by machine they support. I'd recommend checking and rotating your tires at least every 5K.

 

[AndyFov]

As the post above demonstrates, tyre rotation is an American thing. We don't tend to bother so much.

All it really does is balance the wear so all your tyres need renewing at the same time. When you take the car back all they'll worry about is whether the tyres are legal and inflated. As for brake calipers, if efficiency is inexplicably poor and the discs are discoloured by a silvery sheen of grey brake dust then they're likely seized.

 

[Scoobydo1502]

Thanks for the replies I just wasn't sure if they would need proof that the tyres had been rotated etc etc for the maintenance side of the PCP.

I was thinking about once the car is returned at the end of the PCP how stringent are finance companies and is it worth getting scratch & dent, tyre and alloy wheel insurance as i'm sure there will be some minor damage over my 3/4 years of ownership?

John

 

[Big_D]

I’m on my sixth car now on PCP, and only returned the car to the finance company once. This was a Voluntary Termination (VT) which was cheaper then part exchanging it because I went well over my allowed mileage. Financing was with BMW, and they sent out a specialist (BCA) to my house to check the car. They went over it with a fine tooth comb for the better part of an hour, and gave me a report of what they may charge for, and drove away with the car. BMW then emailed me a day later with the charges (which were minimal).

I find it much easier (although maybe not the most economical ) to sell the car part exchange to whomever you buy your new car from. They will settle the remaining PCP balance, and you drop off your old car while picking up the new one. I also found the buyer this way is much less fussy on the state of the car, because they are usually more interested in selling you a new one. Of course it all depends on mileage, state of the car you’re selling and market conditions, but apart from the BMW I’ve always received more in part exchange compared to the settlement figure, and used that as a deposit for the next car.

Did this when buying my current M3 on PCP, and Tesla didn’t even look at my old car when picking up the M3. Evaluation and offer was all done online.

 

[Lord Farquad]

Thanks for the replies I just wasn't sure if they would need proof that the tyres had been rotated etc etc for the maintenance side of the PCP.

I was thinking about once the car is returned at the end of the PCP how stringent are finance companies and is it worth getting scratch & dent, tyre and alloy wheel insurance as i'm sure there will be some minor damage over my 3/4 years of ownership?

John

As there is no “service book” they’d struggle to get picky with you. I know many cars hold digital service histories nowadays but Tesla don’t appear to be included.

 

[Tony Hoyle]

When I gave Tesla my model 3 to pick up the Y they didn't even look at it and I never heard anything back so presumably they were happy. In general a tesla will tell you if something is wrong.. there isn't a service schedule as such, just general maintenance stuff as with any car.

 

[WannabeOwner]

if they would need proof that the tyres had been rotated

"I did it myself, Gov" ...