Selling your Tesla is easy right? …Not as easy as it seems. Here’s a complete guide on what you need to do to sell your Tesla. The video above goes into more detail and shows screenshots of Ji’s experience selling his Model S.

Check these different sites to see what the average selling price is for your same year and trim: 

This is your next choice to make based on what you found. In general, you will get more money by selling to a private party rather than a dealership or business. Why? They have to make money too when they flip it. However, if you’re on a time crunch or don’t want to deal with a more complicated process, it’s really easy to sell to a dealership. It did take me about a month to sell the Model S through a private party, so not bad! 

Upgrades? If you’re selling private, this will help tremendously, especially if you have an older Model like me. They won’t have to worry about upgrading anything, and the convenience in itself is enough. If you’re trading in, don’t worry about upgrades, because they most likely won’t care. 

Detailing your car: Clean it up! They will not only appreciate it, but it’ll be easier to sell if it looks like it’s been taken care of. Also, doing a quick one-step paint correction doesn’t hurt. 

Fixing any defects: I had big scuff marks on one of my back windows, because someone tried to break in. I fixed it for $250. If I didn’t fix it, it would be an easy opening for a buyer to ask to lower the price quite a bit. So, don’t leave any room for bargaining due to defects, and be upfront about all the fixes that occurred. 

This is the one I decided on, so here are some tips from my experience when selling to a private party:

Negotiation & Funds  

Verify their identity 

Be open with each other from the start. I gave him my ID and vice versa.

Bill of Sale and odometer disclosure agreement – Super important to have these contracts ready. You can download these by entering your email above. Don’t worry, we don’t spam you or sell your email. 🙂 

Agree on location 

I suggest meeting in the daytime in public. I met at a supercharger so I could get them charged up.

Let them inspect the car. Answer any questions. 

Transfer ownership on Tesla app. *You have to factory reset the car FIRST on the touchscreen settings.

You will get an email asking to confirm removal.

Final touches 

Remove your license plate. Don’t forget to remind them to bring one!  

Pay off your loan if you have any left. That way you can get your title and send it to your buyer (typically takes about 2 weeks) to complete the transfer of ownership.  

If you have the time, go private. If you don’t have the time, trade in value isn’t bad either. It’s a bit more convenient. 

Always verify everything before agreeing to meet up. Always meet in public spaces and during the day time. 

Don’t post on Facebook.

If you aren’t familiar with TESBROS, we produce in-house custom DIY protection (PPF) and vinyl wrap kits for your Tesla. We also sell high-quality accessories to make sure your Tesla is just the way you like it. Check out our best sellers below or visit our site here. 

Frequently Asked Questions

After selling a Tesla, the seller must inform the DMV for title and registration transfer, a process that can vary by state. Additionally, notifying Tesla of ownership change is crucial for accurate record-keeping and ensuring the new owner receives proper communications and updates. It’s recommended to consult both the DMV and Tesla for specific procedures.

Modifications to a Tesla can either enhance or detract from its resale value and marketability. High-quality upgrades that improve performance or aesthetics could increase appeal and value, while highly personalized or extreme modifications may reduce buyer interest. The effect of modifications depends on market preferences and the nature of the changes.

In arranging test drives or inspections for selling a Tesla, ensure proper insurance coverage and verify the buyer’s driving license. Accompanying the buyer on the test drive and having a clear agreement about responsibility for any damages are key safety and legal precautions. These steps help safeguard both the seller’s and buyer’s interests.