Massachusetts man says you should never buy a used Tesla without carefully following these must-do steps

This Massachusetts man has issued a warning never to buy a used Tesla unless you follow these must-do steps.

YouTuber Rich Rebuilds urged his one million subscribers to exercise caution when buying a second-hand Tesla.

Rich specifically focused on the Model S, Model 3 and the Model X.

He said there were three ways of buying a used Tesla – directly from the company, from a private party, or from an insurance auction – but he warned you needed to be smart about it.

EXPLORE SBX CARS – Supercar auctions starting soon powered by Supercar Blondie

Buying a second-hand Tesla – the dos and don’ts

If you are looking for a used EV like a Tesla, you’ll have a ton to choose from.

One man got a Model S Plaid for peanuts at an auction, whilst another was left paying out a ton to fix the issues with his second hand Model S.

It’s not uncommon for buyers to cite issues with their used cars, but many people are happy with their purchases, including this man who got himself a decent used Model 3.

So, with this mixed record in mind, he said it was all the more important to get things right when making your purchase.

To qualify as a used car sold by Tesla itself, the vehicle must have less than 100,000 miles, no previous accident history and no evidence of structural repairs.

Most other aspects of the car will also be subject to inspection.

But should you want to do your own inspection, you’ll need three things – an LED flashlight, an extendable mirror, and a tire depth gauge.

Rich said that anybody feeling ‘adventurous’ could also make use of a hockey puck and a jack.

“The first thing you want to do is check for any cracks in the roof,” he said.

“This can be a very expensive repair. On the S and the X, look at where the edges connect, to see if there’s any chips taken out of the corner.

“On a Model 3, look for any cracks or scratches. It’s basically a giant glass panel.”

Things to look out for that you might miss

He said you’ll need the extended mirror to take a good look underneath the car.

“On the Model S or X, it’s usually not that big of a deal,” he said.

“But it’s something to keep an eye on with the Model 3, which has a battery pack much more prone to damage due to the metal being much thinner.

“According to Tesla, anything longer than 5mm on a battery scratch will require replacement.”

The mirror can also be used to check for excessive wear on the tires.

Other must-do inspections included checking the car’s floor for dampness, the windows for scratches, and the screen for signs of yellowing.

It’s also important to check that the vehicle you’re being sold is the same on both the car’s exterior logo and on the interior screen.

To listen to Rich’s tips, you can head over to Rich Rebuilds’ YouTube channel.

DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie