Washington teen bought totaled Tesla Model 3 for $15k to restore and uncovers shocking data on its built-in computer
Published on Feb 24, 2026 at 3:54 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Feb 24, 2026 at 9:12 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
This Washington teen bought a totaled Tesla Model 3 for $15,000, planning to restore it – but what he found on its built-in computer shocked him.
When Winston of Winston’s Garage purchased this EV, he knew very little about its past life.
But for $15,000, he figured it was worth taking a chance on.
When he plugged a USB drive into the car’s built-in computer, he learned a whole lot about the car’s backstory.
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What happened when this teen looked at the computer of a Tesla Model 3
Winston’s interest in Teslas began when he started watching videos from YouTuber Rich Rebuilds.
He’s the guy who turned a dead Model 3 into a 450hp monster, and rebuilt a flooded Model S into the world’s first V8 Tesla.
This planted a seed in Winston’s mind, and he decided to try his hand at fixing up a Tesla.
His parents encouraged him in this pursuit, and he soon bought a Model 3 for $15,000 at a wrecking yard.
It’d been declared a loss after an accident, which would make anyone curious.
So he plugged a USB drive into the car’s built-in computer and got to see what happened.
Footage from the moment the car was caught in a crash came up on the screen.
And this wasn’t a regular crash – this was a T-bone collision.
The footage showed another car driving out in front, and the Model 3 subsequently smashed into its side.
When you look at what unfolded, it gives some context as to why this car had been deemed a loss.
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Bringing the car back from the brink
Fixing up a car is rarely a small undertaking – just look at Mat Armstrong’s various projects for proof of that.
All in all, around $25,000 was spent in total on the restoration, with $9,000 going towards parts and $1,000 being spent on taxes.
People have certainly spent more in the pursuit of a restoration; this Texas seller invested $34,000 into doing up his grandpa’s 1962 Buick Electra.
Tesla Model 3 timeline
2016: The Model 3 was unveiled at an event in Hawthorne, California, with reservations opening that same day. 180,000 were placed within 24 hours.
2016 – 2017: Development and production ramped up.
July 2017: The first Model 3 ‘production unit’ rolled off the line, and the first 30 customers received their cars.
Late 2017: Output remained low as supply chain issues were resolved.
2018: The Model 3 became more widely accessible as production accelerated.
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
