2012 Tesla Model S
Most riskA 2012 car is first year of the generation, so it carries the launch teething faults and most of the recall activity. At roughly 189k miles, 4 of the 8 documented faults are usually already due.
Tesla Model S years to avoid
Ranked from 8 documented faults · reviewed by the VehicleFaults Research Team
Quick answer
On documented faults and where each build sits in the production run, the Tesla Model S years to approach most carefully are 2012 and 2013. The 2025 and 2024 cars carry the least risk. No year is automatically a bad buy · service history and condition still decide it, so use the year-by-year table below as the starting point and then check the specific car.
The years to approach most carefully
2013 Tesla Model S
Most riskA 2013 car is an early build, while launch issues were still being worked through. At roughly 176k miles, 4 of the 8 documented faults are usually already due.
The best years to buy
2025 Tesla Model S
Safer buyA 2025 car is the final year of the generation, usually the best-built cars in the run. At roughly 14k miles, 0 of the 8 documented faults are usually already due.
2024 Tesla Model S
Safer buyA 2024 car is a late-run build, generally the most sorted part of the generation. At roughly 27k miles, 0 of the 8 documented faults are usually already due.
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Check this carYear-by-year risk
Faults due is how many of the 8 documented faults an average example of that year has usually already reached at typical mileage.
| Year | Typical miles | Faults due | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ~14k | 0 / 8 | Safer buy |
| 2024 | ~27k | 0 / 8 | Safer buy |
| 2023 | ~41k | 0 / 8 | Safer buy |
| 2022 | ~54k | 0 / 8 | Safer buy |
| 2021 | ~68k | 0 / 8 | Safer buy |
| 2020 | ~81k | 2 / 8 | Safer buy |
| 2019 | ~95k | 2 / 8 | Safer buy |
| 2018 | ~108k | 4 / 8 | Check carefully |
| 2017 | ~122k | 4 / 8 | Check carefully |
| 2016 | ~135k | 4 / 8 | Most risk |
| 2015 | ~149k | 4 / 8 | Most risk |
| 2014 | ~162k | 4 / 8 | Most risk |
| 2013 | ~176k | 4 / 8 | Most risk |
| 2012 | ~189k | 4 / 8 | Most risk |
Guidance only · built from documented fault patterns and where each build sits in the production run, not from an individual car's condition.
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