Many people looking for good deals often turn to second-hand items, especially cars, which depreciate every year. Used car dealerships often advertise vehicles at attractive prices to draw in buyers.
According to reports, an unlucky man purchased what appeared to be a pristine 2022 Tesla Model 3 from a used car company. The price was tempting, and the salesperson was friendly, so he decided to test drive the car and, if satisfied, buy it on the spot.
During the test drive, the car performed smoothly, powerfully, and quietly, with no apparent issues. The salesperson even showed him a maintenance report and a Carfax vehicle history report, confirming that the car had been well maintained. Convinced by the documents and the car’s condition, he went ahead and bought it.
Carfax, a U.S.-based company, provides vehicle history information using the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), including accident records, repair history, ownership changes, and recalls. It is a widely trusted tool in the American used car market to help buyers assess a car’s true condition.
After taking delivery, the man drove the Tesla to a Supercharger to charge the car—but no charger worked. Initially, he thought the charging stations were faulty, but multiple chargers failed. When he contacted the dealership, they told him to reach out to Tesla directly.
Tesla later confirmed that the car had been classified as a “damaged vehicle” due to a previous minor collision that had been poorly repaired. For safety reasons, Tesla had blocked the car from accessing the Supercharger network.
Tesla said the man could restore Supercharging access, but it would cost $10,000 since the car was considered damaged and ineligible for free warranty. Unable to accept this, he filed a police report. However, after investigation, the police concluded the car was not officially scrapped, leaving him stuck between conflicting information.
This case highlights how tricky the used car market can be—especially for high-tech vehicles like Teslas. Buyers are urged to thoroughly verify a car’s history before purchasing.
