Hello guys,
Apologies for the delay, as promised, here is my full experience purchasing a used Tesla M3SR+.
My situation:
1. I have been driving my beloved Honda Civic MK8 i-Shift for 6 years. The car is still good, but needs new suspension (still on 16 years original shocks LOL) which would cost me £700+ with labour. This got me thinking about getting something else other than investing into it…
2. Driving 300 miles a week to work, so typically spending £250 for patrol a month.
3. Moved into a new build 2 years ago and the house was fitted with a PodPoint charger.
Research and decision making:
1. Started looking at some used petrol cars and used Mercedes A-Class A200 at circa £20k was something I started considering.
2. Then I shifted my thoughts to EVs and calculated electricity vs petrol difference and came to the conclusion that I could be saving £200 a month switching to EV by taking advantage of Octopus Intelligent night tariff with 10p per kWh (they just lowered it to 7.5p). This made me realise that I could easily put this saved money into my monthly finance payment covering half of it.
3. The Tesla Model 3 was always something I desired, but seemed beyond my reach - until NOW.
4. Research: as probably everyone in my situation, started watching thousands of YouTube videos, reading reviews and convincing myself more every day that M3 is the right choice. Went to Auto Trader, Used Tesla Inventory and discovered
Tesla buyers guides, worldwide inventory and support for owners which listed cars "hidden" on official Tesla Inventory with very detailed information. This was my go to page every 2-3h to check on latest offerings and familiarise with pricing vs mileage vs features vs how quickly these get booked and disappear from listings. There were plenty of 2019 & 2020 models, but 2021 (China made) happened to pop in every now and then…
5. After 2 weeks, made my mind and set my target specs:
- M3SR+ from Used Tesla Stock for max £32k
- 2020 (US made) or 2021 (China made with Heat Pump and LFP battery)
- less than 30k miles, EAP, 1-year Extra Warranty
- White with Black Interior and 18'' wheels
- location does not matter
Ordering process:
On March 18th (Saturday) midday just run my typical routine checking on Tesla Used Inventory and found:
2021 M3SR+ 17,425mi for £31,700.00, China made, registered in March 2021, located in London with status "Coming soon"
Decided to start my PC asap and have it secured paying a £200 deposit - managed to do all under 10 min knowing how fast it can disappear from the market.
Typical Order Confirmation received on email within minutes. Checked how long it can actually take to have it collected and found well known information on Tesla website 2-4 weeks.
In all this rush I did not save the car's reg plate which was listed, went back right after ordering, but obviously it was gone. On my Tesla Profile only VIN has been available at this stage, so I decided to email Tesla support asking for it and they replied on Monday with information.
Waiting game:
Started to dig on the internet (found this great thread among others) and realised that it can take from 1-8 weeks depending on vehicle location, works needed etc. Started reading stories how Tesla treats their clients particularly on Used Stock and how cars did not met their soon to be owners expectations ... this gave me anxiety.
Nothing else from Tesla at this stage.
Had a week abroad business trip scheduled for 14th-21st April, so I decided to check the status on March 30th (Day 12). Contacted them via chat midday and requested callback. Gent (forgot his name) called me back 1.5h later and kindly explained that the car is being prepared in the body shop and should be ready for collection within 1-2 weeks from Brent Cross or Park Royal. I mentioned that will be away for a week, but he said that this should not be a problem and they will get in touch when it's ready for collection.
Decided not to chase them at this point and went for my business trip as planned.
At this stage, I was checking this forum thread 6 times a day, getting more and more worried every day relating to fellow "soon" to be owners who ordered sooner than myself, having their collection day cancelled, rejecting cars due to their bad condition etc.
Returned to the UK on 21st and despite being terribly jet lagged, started chasing on Saturday morning April 22nd. Connected via chat and explained my situation, at this stage I have been sitting at Day 34. Advisor (aka chat "BOT") said that the car is still being worked on and is estimated to be completed on April 25th Tuesday. Took this as fair enough, but tried to manage my own expectations at this point.
Day 37 - Tuesday morning, contacted via chat again and requested callback. An hour later Anonymous ID rang my phone... Tom, a very helpful, calm, well mannered gent from "Tesla North London" was on the other side. He greeted me by checking if I'm back in the UK yet ?! What, just casually mentioned it to the other guy 3 weeks ago and would never expect that it must have been logged into their internal system! He said that car is ready at Park Royal and I can choose my pick up date this week. Asked for 28th April Friday 11am and we quickly agreed on it. He mentioned that the appointment date should show up in my Tesla app soon and text along with email containing payment instructions should follow shortly.
Payment stage:
Time to gather my finances... Decided to pay £11.5k from my cash savings and take a £20k loan for 5 years. Filled an application with NatWest in the evening and it has been instantly approved with mony to reach my account in up to 2 working days.
No payment details received from Tesla so far.
Day 39, Thursday morning, have all the cash, but still nothing from Tesla. No advisors on the chat, so decided to call Tesla Park Royal (number posted in one of the pinned topics on this forum). After 20 min waiting in a queue, I was connected to Shaunna from Dartford office, very professional and down to business advisor. She sent me an email with payment info PDF within 2 min. There was also email address provided to which I should send payment confirmation.
Ok, the most stressful stage for me just started. Realised that I have £20k max daily transfer limit on my personal account, so had to do it in two stages. Sent £11.5k first around 1pm and sent them confirmation email right after CC'ing Shaunna. Just an automated email came back, but checking my Tesla account after 15 min, Invoice along with registered £11.5k showed up - great ! Note that order status still showed "We are drafting your contract blah blah blah" was still there, in fact until collection.
At 4pm, received reminder text about my collection next day.
Right after 6.30pm (this is when my daily banking limits refresh), I transferred the remaining £20k. It registered after 10 min and my balance has been fully paid at this stage.
Time to sort out my insurance before the big day which went easy by adding another car to my Admiral policy online.
Big Day no. 40 - Collection:
8:50am - received text from Bethany (Tesla) stating that my they received my full payment and they cannot wait to introduce me to my new wheels.
9:20am - received email from Shaunna, who confirmed payment once again.
11:00am - Park Royal, walking into parking lot I suddenly see her from the distance waiting for me. Walked into building and reception be be greeted by friendly easy going chap who asked me to take a sit in a lounge. Two min later he was with me along with other rookie bloke who was on his training day.
Handed my driving licence, they did some 60 seconds magic on their iPad and gave it to me asking to sign. I was like, whoa how about seeing and checking the car first ? They said sure, no problem. We walked out to the parking lot, they opened the car and left me to it without applying any time pressure. Started to check everything beginning with outside first:
- Car has been quite nicely washed and cleaned (they apologised about small water marks at it has been some light shower earlier that morning)
- Paint - vary good condition, no noticeable marks or stone chips. Only one black mark on the bottom edge of front bumper (super minor) Hey car is 2 years old !
- Panel gaps - good no issue.
- Wheels - rims are spotless ! Aero covers fitted and still decent Michelin tires fitted.
- Windows and all glass in very good condition
- Interior, few dark marks on white upholstery by the roof post - nothing big and probably easy to clean. Someone just must have forgotten to wash their hands.
- Specs: VIN confirmed, millage at 17,442 (meaning only travelled 17 miles since advertised, potentially just shifted around North London sites), Heat Pump and LFP battery charged to 99%.
- Boot and Frunk spotless
- Accessories: Tesla Safety Kit, tow bar, CCS2 Type 2 cable and Tesla 2kWh charger in Frunk; Spare longer rear brand new mud flaps in Boot.
After about 20 min I made my decision to take it and returned to the advisor. Signed collection, they handled key cards and said that this is it. Chap asked me if I ever drove Tesla before (I did not) and offered how to tutorial. We both got back into the car and he showed me few things and gave tips and tricks. Fist bump and I was free to take my new wheels back home.
Summary:
Overall positive experience buying a car from Tesla Used Inventory. They have been returning my calls and always being truthful to their statements. No issues with Payment which required some chasing from my side. I think purchasing experience heavily depends on the car location (i.e Corby site) and element of luck as usual. Yes, it took nearly 7 weeks in my case rather than advertised 2-4, but it was definitely worth waiting in my opinion. Of course, everybody's experience and circumstances are different, so I will leave it for you guys to judge your own positions and next steps.
End of the story is I'm happy and actually about to take it for a spin in 30 min !
Good Luck Everyone and thank you for all your support !