Used Tesla Model Y: Common Problems and Which Years to Buy
What to check on a used Model Y, what a problem looks like, and when to walk away.
Covers
- Original 2022–2025
- Juniper 2025 on
Last updated
Common Problems on a Used Tesla Model Y
The most commonly reported problems on a used Tesla Model Y are emergency braking when there's nothing there, clunks from worn front suspension bushes, and reversing and parking camera faults. Check the battery's range at 100% too, and make sure the seller removes the car from their Tesla account.
For the Model Y you're looking at, a Shufti Tailored check works from the car itself: its listing, kms, PPSR and recalls by VIN, your photos checked, and a repair cost and offer.
Emergency Braking When There's Nothing There
The Model Y's driver-assist and emergency braking use cameras to spot hazards ahead. Owners report it braking suddenly for no reason, often called phantom braking, which can startle you and anyone behind (AustralianCar.Reviews).
Check the windscreen in front of the cameras for chips, cracks or a poor replacement, and the screen for any camera or driver-assist alerts. On a stretch of open road, try the cruise control and note any braking or warnings with no cause.
Ask whether the windscreen has been replaced and the cameras recalibrated, and whether Tesla has looked at it; the seller can show past service visits in their Tesla app. If it brakes for nothing on your drive, have Tesla check it before you buy.
Knocks and Clunks From the Front Suspension
Some Model Ys develop clunks and knocks from the front suspension as its rubber bushes wear. An electric car is quiet, so these noises are easy to hear.
On the drive, go over speed humps and rough roads slowly, and turn the wheel at low speed. Listen for clunks or creaks from the front, and feel for looseness through the steering.
Ask whether any suspension parts have been replaced, with invoices. Worn bushes or arms are a moderate repair, so price them in.
Camera Faults
Owners report the reversing and parking cameras failing, freezing or showing a blurred or blank picture. The Model Y uses its cameras for parking, driver assist and safety features, so a faulty one matters.
Put the car in reverse and check the camera picture comes up straight away and is clear. Look at each camera's lens around the body for damage or fogging, and check the screen for camera alerts.
A camera can be a modest fix, but repeated faults can point to wiring or water getting in. Ask whether they've been repaired, and price it in if a camera plays up.
Which Tesla Model Y Years to Avoid?
No single Tesla Model Y year stands out as one to avoid. Newer ones usually have fewer kilometres and less wear, and the newest may still have some new-car warranty left. Whatever the year, a car's condition, battery health, service history and recalls tell you more than its build date, and Shufti looks up the reported faults and recalls for the exact car from its listing.
- Original (2022–2025). 1 to 4 years old, typically about 10,000–50,000 km. ANCAP rating: 5 stars (2022). Stability control and AEB are standard. Most have done enough kilometres for wear items to come due: check the service history for regular servicing, and whether tyres, brakes and the battery need replacing. Tesla's new-car warranty is 4 years or 80,000 km for cars sold from February 2019 until January 2026, so any may still be covered.
- Juniper (2025 on). Up to 1 years old, typically up to about 10,000 km. ANCAP ratings: 5 stars (2025), expiring December 2031, for all but the six-seat Model Y L; 5 stars (2025), expiring December 2031, for the six-seat Model Y L. AEB is standard. The current model. Tesla's new-car warranty is 4 years or 80,000 km for cars sold from February 2019 until January 2026, and 5 years with unlimited kilometres for cars sold from January 2026, so any may still be covered. Check how much is left and that servicing has kept it valid.
Kilometres are at the Australian average of about 12,600 km a year. Well above that means harder use; well below, ask why.
Warranty terms are from Tesla's warranty page, as at November 2026, for private buyers. The warranty runs from when the car was first sold or registered, which the service book shows.
For the Model Y you're looking at, a Shufti Tailored check works from the car itself: its listing, kms, PPSR and recalls by VIN, your photos checked, and a repair cost and offer.
Tesla Model Y General Inspection Guide
A guide to checking for Tesla Model Y problems, built on the used car buying checklist for any car. It can't cover every problem reported across its years in one viewing.
- Original 2022–2025
- Juniper 2025 on
Tick it if it's fine. Cross it if it isn't, and note what you found so you can price it into your offer.
- Safety critical
- Affects how safely it drives or protects you in a crash. Best to have a mechanic check it before you buy.
- Negotiate
- Costs money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Get a quote and take it off the price.
01
Exterior
5 checks
01
Exterior
5 checks
02
Under the Bonnet
2 checks, 1 safety critical
02
Under the Bonnet
2 checks, 1 safety critical
03
Underbody and Wheels
3 checks, 1 safety critical
03
Underbody and Wheels
3 checks, 1 safety critical
04
Interior and Electrics
4 checks, 2 safety critical
04
Interior and Electrics
4 checks, 2 safety critical
05
Test Drive
7 checks, 1 safety critical
05
Test Drive
7 checks, 1 safety critical
06
Documentation
3 checks
06
Documentation
3 checks
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Work through the Tesla Model Y General inspection guide on your phone at the car. Capture images, audio and note what you find.
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Stay Safe
Never go under a car held up only by a jack, and never open the radiator or coolant cap on a hot engine. Keep hands, hair and loose clothing clear of fans and belts when the engine is running, and do checks under the bonnet with it switched off where you can. On the test drive, hold a current licence, confirm the car is registered and insured, obey road rules, and only brake hard when the road behind is clear. Meet in a safe, public-facing place, take someone with you, and don't carry large amounts of cash to a viewing.
Disclaimer. Shufti is not affiliated with or endorsed by Tesla; Tesla and Model Y are trademarks of Tesla, Inc. Figures are counts from Shufti's analysis of official records and published reports, not a statement that any particular vehicle is affected. This checklist is general information only and is not professional, mechanical, legal or financial advice. It covers common checks, not every possible fault, and a car can pass every item here and still have problems. It is not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic, which is worth considering before you buy, especially if anything tagged Safety critical turns up. Repair costs vary widely; get your own quotes. Roadworthy, registration and transfer rules differ by state, so check with your state road authority. Private sales generally don't come with the consumer guarantees that apply when you buy from a dealer. You use this checklist at your own risk and, to the extent permitted by law, Shufti accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury arising from its use.
What the General inspection guide can't tell you about the Model Y you're looking at
5+
recalls on Model Ys built since 2022
4
common faults reported on Model Ys built since 2022
7,104
owner complaints on Model Ys built since 2020
What's each fault worth?
Shufti's negotiation coach turns it into leverage.
Money owing, stolen or a write-off?
A tidy car can hide all three.
A Tailored check in the Shufti app covers all of that, plus:
- Guided checks for the exact car you're inspecting
- Crosschecks 3M+ recalls and owner complaints
- Spots issues from your photos and audio
- Test drive routes with turn-by-turn navigation
- Negotiation coach with repair cost estimates
- PPSR and government recall checks included
Get a Shufti Tailored check on your mobile.
Don't drive home in a lemon.
Not sure yet? Start free with the Tesla Model Y General inspection guide, and upgrade to a Tailored check for the car you're serious about.
Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
* Shufti analysis, October 2026, of official recall notices, complaints lodged by vehicle owners with vehicle safety regulators, and independent reviews and owner forums. Faults are counted when two or more independent sources report them. See the recall notices for the Tesla Model Y on the government's Vehicle Recalls site, and how we check our facts.
Buying a Used Tesla Model Y: Questions Answered
Is a used Tesla Model Y reliable?
It depends more on the particular car than the badge: how it was driven, loaded and serviced. Work through the commonly reported problems above, read the service history for servicing done on time, and run a PPSR check.
Which Tesla Model Y years should I avoid?
No single Tesla Model Y year stands out as one to avoid. Newer ones usually have fewer kilometres and less wear, and the newest may still have some new-car warranty left. Whatever the year, a car's condition, battery health, service history and recalls tell you more than its build date, and Shufti looks up the reported faults and recalls for the exact car from its listing.
This checklist covers the Original (2022–2025) and Juniper (2025 on) Tesla Model Y. Problems reported across them include emergency braking when there's nothing there, knocks and clunks from the front suspension and camera faults.
How many kilometres is too many for a used Tesla Model Y?
Kilometres matter less than the battery's health. A high-kilometre car charged mostly at home can have a healthier battery than a low-kilometre one charged mostly at fast chargers or used for rideshare. Compare the range at 100% with the range it had new, ask for a battery health report, and check the battery warranty's kilometre limit.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a used Tesla Model Y?
It's most worth it on a car where a hidden fault could be costly. Ask for a battery health report, and compare the range at 100% with the range it had new. Either way, start by checking the car yourself with this checklist, so you know what to look for and whether it's worth paying a mechanic to see. See Pre-purchase car inspection: what it checks and costs
How do I check a used Tesla Model Y for money owing or a write-off?
Run a PPSR check with the car's VIN on ppsr.gov.au. It shows whether there's finance owing and whether the car has been reported stolen or written off. Run it on the day you pay. See What a PPSR check covers and what it doesn't
How do I check recalls on a used Tesla Model Y?
Search the government's Vehicle Recalls site for the Tesla Model Y. Each notice says which models and build dates it covers and what the fault is. A recall on record doesn't tell you whether the work was done on a particular car, so ask the seller for proof, or ask a Tesla dealer to check the VIN.
Mechanic, Checklist or Shufti?
Here's how Shufti stacks up against your other options.
A mechanic's inspection is the most thorough, but most buyers go without one. Shufti makes sure you're well informed either way.
| Feature | Shufti $24.99 per check | Mechanic Inspection $250–350+ per booking | General Inspection Guide Free in the app or on paper |
|---|---|---|---|
Guided, model-specific checks | Yes | Yes | No |
Crosschecks over 3 million recalls and owner complaints | Yes | No | No |
Smart detection of issues from your photos and audio | Yes | No | No |
Test drive route planning and navigation | Yes | No | No |
Instant report generation | Yes | No | No |
Negotiation copilot and repair cost estimates | Yes | No | No |
PPSR and government recall checks included | Yes | No | No |
Plain-English explanations, not jargon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
No booking or waiting required | Yes | No | Yes |
Not ready yet? Start with the free General inspection guide for your car's model.
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Comparing Other Cars?
Looking at a different car? Use the used car buying checklist for any car or browse problems and checklists by model.