Tesla CPO Warranty | Autance

What IS Included with the Tesla CPO Warranty

This CPO warranty covers all parts and labor, bumper-to-bumper. This warranty coverage is beyond the original warranty, which is for eight years and 100,000 miles (with two exceptions, one for 120,000 miles and the other for 125,000 miles; see details below).  It includes battery and powertrain coverage (Tesla calls the drivetrain the “drive unit”) and extends to all models: Tesla Model S, Model X, and Model 3. So, when you purchase a CPO vehicle with a CPO warranty, you get the original time and mileage coverage, plus an additional four years and 50,000 miles. 

The warranty covers all parts that Tesla manufactures and puts into or onto its vehicles, and all parts other makers may supply to Tesla during the manufacture of the vehicle. The warranty’s intention is to correct problems with any workmanship or materials of these components or mechanisms. 

The parts covered include items on the main part of the used Tesla, like ball joints, electric windows, bumpers, computer, and the grille. The powertrain (drive unit) warranty covers the engine and all other parts that transfer power from the engine to the wheel, like axles and the transmission. The warranty coverage includes the batteries for all models. It covers the batteries of vehicles made prior to 2015 for eight years or 125,000 miles, and the Model 3 long-range battery for eight years or 120,000 miles.

What’s NOT Included with the Tesla CPO Warranty

The Tesla certified pre-owned program does not cover wear items like brakes, windshield wipers, or tires. Tires in particular have their own warranty, as do many brake parts and services.  The warranty does not cover collisions, accidents, or objects hitting the vehicle. The warranty is void on the car’s parts and labor if the owner fails to do services or make repairs that Tesla recommends when the owner takes the vehicle to a Tesla authorized service center, or if they fail to use fluids, accessories, or parts that the owner’s manual specifies. It also will not cover computer software and hardware if it is damaged due to the owner uploading data that has bugs, viruses, or malware. It does not cover damage due to improper winching or towing.

Other things the warranty does not cover are damages from vandalism, theft, explosion, fire, or acts of God like earthquakes, floods, hail, and lightening or environmental damage from tree sap, road chemicals, salt, etc. It does not cover damages resulting from driving over uneven or unfinished roads, potholes or curbs, nor does the warranty cover the vehicle if the owner overloads it or uses it for racing or other purposes it was not intended to be used for. In addition, it will not cover any damage if the owner uses the vehicle as a source of power. 

If the owner purchased the vehicle from an auction house, private seller, or third-party retailer, the warranty does not cover it. Paint defects and corrosion are not covered, nor are added accessories like radar detectors and trailer hitches. Also excluded are repairs for noises like squeaking brakes, rattles, and creaks. 

The Good Things about the Tesla CPO Warranty

One main good thing about the Tesla CPO warranty is that it extends an already comprehensive warranty. You get 50,000 more miles and an additional four years of coverage with it. This is in addition to the eight years and 100,000 miles that the new car warranty covers.

While the company prefers you to have Tesla-certified technicians perform service (since the warranty is void on the repair if it is not done correctly), you can have any non-Telsa technician perform repairs or replace parts and the warranty still applies. Roadside assistance is included for the same time and mileage, and the warranty is transferable at no charge to any subsequent owner.  

Roadside assistance pays for the first 500 miles of transportation if the vehicle has to be towed for repairs. The company will install a loaner wheel, if available, and tow you for 50 miles no charge under the warranty, if you require it. You can also get even more coverage by purchasing a Used Vehicle Extended Limited Warranty, which covers vehicles that are more than 4 years old and have more than 50,000 miles.

The Bad Things about the Tesla CPO Warranty

If the vehicle has more than 50,000 miles on it, it is not eligible for a CPO warranty. Similarly, the warranty is not available if the car is more than 4 years old. 

The roadside assistance that comes with the CPO warranty does not cover flats and it only provides loaner wheels if it has one to loan you. This is a huge downside, as flat repair is one of the main reasons people appreciate roadside assistance coverage. If it turns out that you were towed but the repair is not covered under the CPO warranty, you must pay for the tow. You are also responsible for costs for transporting the car if it has to be towed more than 500 miles for repairs. 

The warranty does not include fixing the vehicle if it has abnormal noises that are not related to parts that aren’t working correctly. In other words, if your car’s brakes squeal or you have a weird sound coming from the engine compartment, and it is not related to a malfunctioning part, you’ll have to pay for the repair.

Takeaway Value

Tesla’s electric cars have far fewer moving parts and parts that require maintenance or periodic replacement than ICE cars or hybrids. Items like a radiator, alternator, and spark plugs are not necessary with an electric vehicle. Yet Tesla provides a substantial warranty, with more coverage mileage and time than many major manufacturers. The warranty is in addition to the new car warranty and starts the day you take delivery, giving you 50,000 more miles and four more years of coverage. Throw in excellent roadside assistance, the fact that the warranty is transferable to another buyer, and the availability of an extended warranty beyond the CPO warranty, and you have a very desirable and attractive warranty package.