PPF and trade in to Tesla?

[quantoc]

I’m planning on ordering a Y in the near future, which will be my first Tesla. Hypothetically speaking, in 2-3 years the new battery Tech is available, and I decide to Trade it in to Tesla. Will I get any monetary Return on the PPF at Trade in?

Assumptions:
1. I can live with the inevitable paint chips without PPF. (I’m still considering this question)
2. I forego selling privately, and trade it in or use Carmax like service.

Basically, Tesla doesn’t seem to have super high standards for their new vehicles. Does that same inattention to detail extend to trade ins? Do they penalize you for their paint issues?

I did a search and didn’t see a similar thread. Apologies if I missed.
Thanks

 

[fiehlsport]

No, Tesla doesn't even look at most trade-ins. They didn't even acknowledge mine in the parking lot, I just handed them the keys in the office and picked up my new car. You get the price on their calculator, sight unseen. Chips, cleanliness, curbed wheels - none of it matters. You can even trade-in and keep your floor mats, mobile EVSE, everything.

*This is all in my personal experience from early 2019 - may vary by region, but I haven't heard otherwise*

I wouldn't recommend going crazy on PPF or coatings or anything like that. It won't be treated any differently.

 

[acarney]

I’m planning on ordering a Y in the near future, which will be my first Tesla. Hypothetically speaking, in 2-3 years the new battery Tech is available, and I decide to Trade it in to Tesla. Will I get any monetary Return on the PPF at Trade in?

Assumptions:
1. I can live with the inevitable paint chips without PPF. (I’m still considering this question)
2. I forego selling privately, and trade it in or use Carmax like service.

Basically, Tesla doesn’t seem to have super high standards for their new vehicles. Does that same inattention to detail extend to trade ins? Do they penalize you for their paint issues?

I did a search and didn’t see a similar thread. Apologies if I missed.
Thanks

NO

Tesla hardly gives you your "monetary return" on the vehicle it's self. They are NOT in the business of taking trades and selling them like most dealers. These cars are usually shuffled off to auction or a 3rd party to list and then sell through Tesla. You'll likely get a horrible offer from them, but there is the ease of use of driving your existing car to them, signing papers, and driving away with the new car, plus if your state allows, a tax break through the trade.

I believe Tesla usually just goes by KBB or someone's standard on "good", "fair", etc condition. A few rock chips probably won't hurt trade in value, especially if you get a paint touch up kit and go over them. I haven't personally done it, but I think Tesla "glances" at the vehicles and just makes sure they're in the working condition you describe and don't have big dents or large (multi inch) scratches.

CarMax is almost worse then Tesla. I had full paint protection film on the front of my vehicle and only 7,000 miles after 1 year and CarMax mentioned the whole front end would need to be repainted because they saw dead bugs (I live 150 miles away from CarMax) on the front and thought they were rock chips. After I pointed out those were bugs, they just said "well, even if we had to repaint, it doesn't change the quote at all, we paint in house." So..... they either don't care about things like rock chips, or they just already factor in refurbishment costs into their quotes.

Private sale is going to be the best, other then that it'll be luck of the draw with CarMax, Vroom, or Carvana. Right now values are high, but I think that's likely because Tesla is still "hot." A few years from now if anyone can walk into a Tesla store and get a brand new model in a day, and loads of used Model 3 and Y's are on the market, I expect the value will fall in line with anything else in that price range; it'll tank the first year or two and then level off for a few years.


Edit: If you want any protection, JUST get the front bumper done, not the hood or sides or anything else. I can't imagine that would be more than maybe $500 to $600 and it'll keep the car looking nice for you. 100% you'll then get a rock chip on the hood just past the PPF because that's how the universe works, but at least the largest area that's likely to get rock chips will be covered for the minimum cost.

 

[UT4EVER]

NO

Tesla hardly gives you your "monetary return" on the vehicle it's self. They are NOT in the business of taking trades and selling them like most dealers. These cars are usually shuffled off to auction or a 3rd party to list and then sell through Tesla. You'll likely get a horrible offer from them, but there is the ease of use of driving your existing car to them, signing papers, and driving away with the new car, plus if your state allows, a tax break through the trade.

I believe Tesla usually just goes by KBB or someone's standard on "good", "fair", etc condition. A few rock chips probably won't hurt trade in value, especially if you get a paint touch up kit and go over them. I haven't personally done it, but I think Tesla "glances" at the vehicles and just makes sure they're in the working condition you describe and don't have big dents or large (multi inch) scratches.

CarMax is almost worse then Tesla. I had full paint protection film on the front of my vehicle and only 7,000 miles after 1 year and CarMax mentioned the whole front end would need to be repainted because they saw dead bugs (I live 150 miles away from CarMax) on the front and thought they were rock chips. After I pointed out those were bugs, they just said "well, even if we had to repaint, it doesn't change the quote at all, we paint in house." So..... they either don't care about things like rock chips, or they just already factor in refurbishment costs into their quotes.

Private sale is going to be the best, other then that it'll be luck of the draw with CarMax, Vroom, or Carvana. Right now values are high, but I think that's likely because Tesla is still "hot." A few years from now if anyone can walk into a Tesla store and get a brand new model in a day, and loads of used Model 3 and Y's are on the market, I expect the value will fall in line with anything else in that price range; it'll tank the first year or two and then level off for a few years.


Edit: If you want any protection, JUST get the front bumper done, not the hood or sides or anything else. I can't imagine that would be more than maybe $500 to $600 and it'll keep the car looking nice for you. 100% you'll then get a rock chip on the hood just past the PPF because that's how the universe works, but at least the largest area that's likely to get rock chips will be covered for the minimum cost.

I agree. I just got my second MY and I had XPEL put on the front bumper and the lower sides. My first MY has nothing and there are lots of tiny paint chips on the lower rear side and a few on the bumper. It cost me $650 for the bumper and $350 for the sides.....