Tesla Model 3: used review
The most common used electric car in Australia. Older Model 3s now ask about $30,000 to $38,000. Which versions to look at, what to check and what they cost.
The Tesla Model 3 arrived in Australia in 2019 and quickly became the country's best-selling electric car. That makes it the most common EV on the used market, with about 180 for sale in the second week of November 2026.
This is a buyer's guide, built from the model's history and what used ones ask today, not a test drive.
The versions
- Standard Range Plus, later Rear-Wheel Drive: one motor driving the rear wheels. The most common and the cheapest.
- Long Range: two motors, all-wheel drive and a bigger battery for more range.
- Performance: two motors tuned for speed, with bigger wheels and brakes.
The first Australian Model 3s were built in the United States, and later cars came from Tesla's factory in Shanghai. A major update, known by its project name Highland, arrived in Australia at the end of 2023, with a new nose and tail, a quieter cabin, a new interior and more range. Its launch prices were $61,900 for the Rear-Wheel Drive and $71,900 for the Long Range, before on-road costs.
What to check
- Battery warranty. Tesla's battery and drive unit warranty runs eight years, with a kilometre limit that depends on the version. Work out how much is left from the first registration date.
- Battery health. Range shown at a full charge, compared with the car when new, is a rough guide. A small loss is normal.
- Tyres and suspension. The Model 3 is heavy and quick, and it goes through tyres faster than a petrol car of its size. Check the tread and look for uneven wear.
- Body and glass. Check panel gaps, the large glass roof for chips and cracks, and the boot and door seals.
- Software features. Some features, such as the more advanced driver assistance, are bought as software and may or may not carry over to a new owner. Ask what the car has.
What they cost
These are median asking prices by year of build, rounded to the nearest $500.
| Built | Median price |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,000 |
| 2020 | $34,000 |
| 2021 | $34,000 |
| 2022 | $36,000 |
| 2023 | $38,000 |
| 2024 | $52,000 |
Prices from 2019 to 2023 sit within $8,000 of each other, so a newer car with more warranty left costs little extra. The 2024 cars ask much more, as they are the updated model.
Our pick
A 2022 or 2023 Rear-Wheel Drive at about $36,000 to $38,000 has more battery warranty left than a 2019 car for only a few thousand dollars more. If you can stretch, an updated 2024 car is the better car, at about $52,000.
See how the Model 3 compares with other used EVs in Used electric cars: what they cost, and every year and version in the Model 3 price guide.
