Buyer beware. Buying a CPO Tesla feels like a SCAM.

[PhilDavid]

I would encourage anyone thinking of buying a used Tesla from Tesla to inspect the car first, which is the only way you will know if the car will work for you at the advertised price ( based on my experience with the new program ). The car I have now was purchased from a fellow forum member after I refused delivery on a cpo which had undisclosed damage. Best of luck to all buyers and let the buyer beware.

This is really good advice. At these prices no one should accept a car with damage.

Were you able to get your deposit back in full because the car they offered you was damaged?

 

[davidc18]

Yes, no issues at all with Tesla and the deposit.

 

[PhilDavid]

Yes, no issues at all with Tesla and the deposit.

Glad to know they gave your deposit back as the car wasn't delivered as expected.

Hopefully sometime soon they will revamp the CPO program to stop delivering damaged cars.

 

[Btr_ftw]

The NEW used tesla buying program summed up in two videos...

and

 

[PhilDavid]

The NEW used tesla buying program summed up in two videos...

and

It seems like he's finally very close to a resolution and getting the car he bought.

We know he's not alone so hopefully they will figure out a reasonable way to fix wat's broken and start delivering quality used cars as expected by their customers.

 

[JoeMartin]

So he did finally get the Model X, however his experience by the end was not the same as what any of us would actually have. Looks like he ended up with an actual CPO per the previous Tesla CPO program, not just a used car like what we get.

 

[PhilDavid]

So he did finally get the Model X, however his experience by the end was not the same as what any of us would actually have. Looks like he ended up with an actual CPO per the previous Tesla CPO program, not just a used car like what we get.

I guess the moral of the story is if you want a CPO Tesla in decent shape get Uncle Rich to buy it for you...

 

[PhilDavid]

Yes, no issues at all with Tesla and the deposit.

Did you have to escalate the matter with your deposit or did they offer no issue with it when requested?

 

[Cjminear]

I put a Deposit down on a CPO model s from San Diego.
I was told that the car was in transit to Phoenix. I had all the paperwork and financing in place So I sold my existing car. I get a call 3 days later saying they can't sell me the car and it was not shipped. The only thing they could tell me was the car wasn't supposed to be on the website. I asked why the car was not supposed to be on the website and the representative just repeated the same thing. They were very vague on answering my questions. The car had a clean Carfax and AutoCheck. It was a California car show any damage over a thousand needs to be reported. The Tesla representative was very vague and answering my questions. I just want the car or a car equal to the model that we agreed on. Has anyone had Tesla back out of their agreement? No I'm left without a car what a terrible buying experience. I can only hope Tesla will make it right.

 

[PhilDavid]

I put a Deposit down on a CPO model s from San Diego.
I was told that the car was in transit to Phoenix. I had all the paperwork and financing in place So I sold my existing car. I get a call 3 days later saying they can't sell me the car and it was not shipped. The only thing they could tell me was the car wasn't supposed to be on the website. I asked why the car was not supposed to be on the website and the representative just repeated the same thing. They were very vague on answering my questions. The car had a clean Carfax and AutoCheck. It was a California car show any damage over a thousand needs to be reported. The Tesla representative was very vague and answering my questions. I just want the car or a car equal to the model that we agreed on. Has anyone had Tesla back out of their agreement? No I'm left without a car what a terrible buying experience. I can only hope Tesla will make it right.

Apparently, this is the guy running the Tesla CPO program...

 

[Cjminear]

Lol

 

[PhilDavid]

Lol

Someone should make a Tesla CPO parody video. There's no shortage of material to use...

 

[JoeMartin]

Or we should make a Tesla Reddit page titled something like r/TryingToBuyATesla

 

[Dbrasco]

I just canceled my order. I don't think Tesla wants my money. Sending me incorrect CarFax reports, little to no communication. I almost think that Used Car Associate at Tesla is a part-time or after hours gig. No way am I spending $2k to have a $50k car sent to me, only to find out it's a piece of crap. Yes, they sent me pictures, of what they wanted to show me. There's a reason they won't tell you which cars are located near you and you can't go see them anyways. Terrible, terrible customer service. The new car side was completely different.

 

[Stan Moraski]

I just had the opposite experience at Mt.Kisco, NY. I had been looking for a titanium metallic P85D to replace my out of warranty 2013 brown P85. One popped up two weeks ago, $100 down shipped from Orlando, pictures looked pristine!
Picked it up last Wednesday, SWEET!
As perfect as the pictures. 34K miles, carbon fiber, four year warranty, $50,200.
Oh, and they forgot to charge shipping.

 

[tyler2323]

Ill try to keep this short and to the point. I'll also keep names out of it as I really do not intend to cause anyone any harm.

First of all, I love Tesla. An amazing company that makes a kick ass car led by a true visionary.
For most of the past 10 years i've been driving different BMW's as they provide the best driving experience in my opinion -- that was until I drove a model S.

So, I spoke with a sales person at Tesla. We went over options and available CPO's.
Overall a very helpful and accommodating person.
KEY POINT:
me: I never bought a car that I haven't seen in real life, or taken out for a test drive. What guarantee is there that the car is in good shape.
him: All of our CPO cars go through the rigorous Tesla certification process and have passed the Tesla quality standards in terms of esthetics and function.

This was enough of an explanation for me. it made sense. If its good enough for Tesla, its sure as hell good enough for me.

So, I bought a sexy white MS85D with 40K miles. All i saw was a photo of the car in what looked like a tesla workshop of some sort. I was referred to the nearest service center to my location (4 hours away) who were supposed to handle the delivery

Theres a bit of a mini-fiasco story with the delivery but lets skip that to keep this post on point. All i'll say is that after the papers were signed via overnight fedex back and forth (and people were super nice and friendly too) it felt like they forgot about me and sounded very annoyed every time I called to ask about when the car is getting delivered. Apparently it was being delayed because of the necessary detailing that had to be done.


Delivery:
delivery was in the late afternoon on a dark and gloomy day.
Took the car, signed the papers. Truck left.
I immediately call to ask about the cleanliness of the car. I was told that as a CPO it is within the Tesla standards.

Next day, in the sunlight, I had a better look at the car. and thats when I realized just how bad the car's condition is.
Issues:
- Headliner in TERRIBLE condition, Truly disgusting
- Steering wheel leather has what appears to be permanent damage. Maybe its just
- Blemish / paint chip on the front of the hood
- Leather seats have dark streaks of what looks like oil / grease stains
- Dirt and gravel pretty much everywhere.
- The rear trunk center storage compartment (requires lifting the trunk floor) has dirt and gravel, some weird clothing item, and most revoltingly a dental hygiene tool (an interdental floss -- is it used?? I hate to even consider the thought)
- Headliner is peeling and coming off in a couple of areas
- Center console has 2 deep gouges in it.

Other issues:
- BT audio connectivity SUCKS ( i have had to do a soft reset a total of 9 times now in 5 weeks).
- Wheels need alignment. The autopilot blue steering wheel looks funny at an 11 o'clock position when driving in a straight line.

Obviously I called and raised hell with the service dept. Sent them the photos. they apologize and say "let me see what I can do and ill call you back."
No call back, so I call next day. " Whats the update?"
"We are still looking into it, give me until the end of the day."
Car was delivered Monday. By Friday absolutely nothing was done. Each and every day I was told "I'll get right back to you with a way to correct this."
So, I call and tell them that ill take it to a local Auto detail specialist and get it cleaned up. Detail guy says headliner is beyond repair.
I call back and give the service team the update on Saturday. Service guy says "ok, we will have to send a truck to pick it up and bring it here. We will provide a loaner while we work on your car. Let me call you monday when my manager gets here to get it set up for you."
Monday comes. Nothing. Late afternoon I call the sales guy I bought the car from. "Hello -- Here's he deal, if this car was in a dealership there is no way in hell i would have bought it. I trusted you and the company when you said it is within the Tesla quality standards being a CPO car. whats the return policy on the car? and don't worry, i'll purchase another CPO, I just don't want this one"
"There is no return policy. The car is in good shape. Just cause you don't like it, does not mean you can return it."
"i'll send you the pictures, then lets talk about the Tesla quality standards"

I sent the pics, with a written request to return the car and to have my money back.
this was 4 weeks ago. I have sent him maybe 4-5 other emails and called about 4-5 as well. Have not heard back from Mr. Sales guy.

The service team eventually got back Tuesday. "We are working on the details on the loaner give us a couple of days."
I call Friday "no movement yet. Please be patient"
Another week goes by with absolutely nothing happening. Dodging my phone calls, everyone is in a meeting, and people are getting sick all of a sudden. I called Tesla headquarters in CA. they say all they can do is have the service center in charge of the car handle the problem. But, they will send it over to the escalations department. they recommended I speak with the manager in the service department but refuse to say his name.


On a Monday I get in touch with the manager. Super rude individual.
verbatim : "We are not sending a truck to pick your car up -- it is too expensive."
My reply was : "you know whats too expensive? paying $70K for a car with black and brown grease marks all over, a peeling headliner, and dental hygiene products in the trunk."
He insists that its too expensive to send a truck to pickup the car and provide a loaner. He said the best he can do is fix it in a Tesla approved body shop, and order the parts necessary and have it sent there. And they will arrange for a Luxury rental from Enterprise.
I explain to him that if the repairs take a month, and I have already been dealing with a month, then I will have paid for a car that I am completely unhappy with for 2 months -- thats not cool. And who wants to pay for a Tesla and then drive a car with an ICE and have to put gas and stuff..??
All he could do is send the mobile unit to fix the issues, scheduled on Friday, which will be 25 days from delivery.

Mobile unit gets here, the poor guy is shocked. He takes photos, all the while shaking his head. Says there is no way this can be done in the field. Recommends the car be sent back. this was 10 days ago.

Despite the recommendation from the mobile unit, it took the service team a whole week to give me straight answer about sending a loaner and picking my car up.
this is supposed to happen by Saturday. It will be almost 6 weeks from delivery.


I don't know what to think about the whole thing. But I will definitely never buy CPO from Tesla again, and quite frankly I am questioning whether I should ever buy another Tesla at all.
For $70K I would have bought a very nice beamer, and would have received excellent customer service from a very reputable auto maker.
I paid $70K for a car that, and lets all be honest with each other here, is severely lacking on the inside. But, we are all ok with it because it drives amazing, and we all buy into the company and its mission as a whole. For me though, this touchy feely crap only goes a certain distance. Once I started getting treated like dirt, and spent my commutes alongside a lot of dirt, reality set in that I've been conned.

I would still love to be able to get my money back and give this dirt pile back.

Tesla is notorious for taking their leases that should have accidents on their records and frame damage and never reported it or making the buyer aware. This is why delivery can take several months cause they sale their leased cars before they get them back and when they do and they have a ton of damage they lie and by time to try to fix all the damage before they deliver them. I would never buy used from Tesla unless it was a used new car or a used car with less than 15k miles. I trust buying one at an auction more since they inspect evey vehicle for damage that may have not been reported before they allow them to go up for auction. Check rich rebuilds YouTube channel where he buys a model x and you will see just one example of the awful experience one can have buying used from Tesla. Which too me is infuriating cause buying from the manufacturer themselves it supposed to give a buyer peace of mind. Not 95% of all Tesla’s they sale would not pass a CPO of any other car manufacturer. And yes, I understand Tesla does not consider their used cars CPO’s and for good read cause they are nowhere near the level of quality of a CPO almost every single one they sale.