Used Tesla Model Y (Mk1 2022-date) buyer’s guide: simply one of the best EVs
A full used buyer’s guide on the Tesla Model Y which has been on sale in the UK since 2022
The electric mid-sized SUV segment is getting quite crowded now, but even though none of the contenders is more than a few years old, the Tesla Model Y still stands out as one of the best. Sure, it isn’t as exclusive as some rivals, and the build quality of pre-facelift examples wasn’t in keeping with the relatively premium price tag, but in terms of driveability, usability and availability, you cannot afford to overlook it. We’ve pitted the Model Y against key rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Audi Q4 e-tron, Lexus RZ and BMW iX1, and it’s beaten all of them, which tells you all you need to know about the breadth and depth of its talents, of which it has many.
Tesla is one of the world’s youngest car makers, yet it’s by far the most valuable. It’s worth nearly 20 times as much as General Motors and Volkswagen, and at least three times as much as Toyota. People love or hate the brand in equal measure.
Whatever your views on the world’s most talked-about car company, its products are incredibly efficient, while the ownership experience is massively improved by having access to Tesla’s Supercharging network.
Used - available now
2023 Tesla
Model Y
48,817 milesAutomaticElectric
Cash £22,000
2023 Tesla
Model Y
44,304 milesAutomaticElectric
Cash £23,027
2023 Tesla
Model Y
35,778 milesAutomaticElectric
Cash £23,258
2023 Tesla
Model Y
37,412 milesAutomaticElectric
Cash £24,187When Tesla’s first mainstream car arrived, the Model S, it put the cat among the pigeons. Its most recent product, the Model Y, did the same when it hit the British market almost four years ago. As always, the new arrival attracted plenty of vitriol – but not from owners or professional reviewers, so how does it now stack up against its rivals as a used buy?
History
The Tesla Model Y was launched in the US in March 2019, but it would take another three years for the first cars to be delivered in the UK.
There was a choice of Long Range (LR) AWD or Performance editions with a 78.1kWh battery, officially capable of 331 and 319 miles respectively. In August 2022 a new entry-level model joined the range: the RWD with a 60kWh battery to give a range of up to 283 miles. From February 2023 the LR and RWD editions were fitted with comfort suspension, then in October 2024 a new variation on the theme was introduced.
The Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (LR RWD) replaced the RWD, and a seven-seat option was introduced for the LR AWD. In February 2025, a significantly facelifted Model Y went on sale, with a redesigned exterior, improved refinement, recalibrated suspension and better steering.
Prices
Most of the Model Ys for sale are Long Range editions. Very high-mileage examples of these (over 100,000) can be bought for as little as £18,000, but few Model Ys are priced at less than £20,000.
Spend £20k and you can bag a 50,000-mile RWD or an 80,000-mile Long Range on a 72-plate. Increase your budget to £26,000 and a 35,000-mile Long Range on a 72-plate could be yours.
If you want one of the ludicrously quick Performance editions you’ll have to spend at least £26,000, which secures a 60,000-mile example on a 72-plate; the same money buys a 25,000-mile Long Range, also on a 72-plate.
There are few facelifted Model Ys for sale on the used market, although we found a 6,000-mile Long Range for £47k in a private sale, and a few 10,000-mile Long Ranges at around £52,000 apiece.
You can buy a used Tesla Model Y for less than £18,000 through our Buy a Car service.
Check the price of a Tesla Model Y with our free car valuation tool...
Which one should I buy?
Almost all Model Ys have the same standard equipment, which includes double-glazed side windows, a glass roof, premium audio system, a heat pump, heating for the seats and steering wheel, two wireless phone chargers and more.
Where they differ is with the battery packs and motors. At launch the RWD was £51,990, whereas the Long Range was £54,990 and the Performance was £64,950; within a year the latter two cost £3,000 or so more.
Now the RWD is still the budget buy, yet it offers more than enough range and performance. The key reason to buy something more costly is because it’ll probably be easier to sell on further down the line, albeit quite possibly at a bigger loss. You pays your money…
On the road
Even the RWD can do 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds; the Performance cuts this to 3.5 seconds.
While pre-facelift cars weren’t one-trick ponies, dynamically, their key attribute was blistering acceleration, helped by impressive power delivery and ample grip. The Model Y feels secure at high speeds even when things are a bit slippery.
Ride comfort and refinement were okay, but numb steering rather spoiled the experience.
The facelift in 2025 addressed these issues pretty well, with handling, refinement and ride quality all improved.
Alternatives to the Tesla Model Y
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 offers excellent quality, eye-catching design and long range, the Skoda Enyaq is great value, well-equipped and good to drive, while the Volvo EX40 is a looker inside and out, safe and superbly made.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is very capable dynamically, just like the BMW iX1, which is also excellent ergonomically. The Audi Q4 e-tron is another high-quality option with a decent range, and it’s surprisingly comfortable, as well.
Other options include the Kia EV6 and Volkswagen ID.4, while a less obvious choice is the Lexus RZ. Also consider the Jaguar I-Pace, but as with all the cars here, check all of the electronics before buying.
What to look for
Peace of mind
The Model Y has a warranty that lasts for four years or 60,000 miles. The battery and drive unit warranty is eight years or 120,000 miles. A weekly charge to 100 per cent is recommended for battery durability.
On the range
The official maximum range of the RWD is 283 miles, while the Long Range is pegged at 331 miles and the Performance at 319 miles. These figures can drop by up to 30 per cent depending on ambient temperature.
Durability
While the cabin quality of pre-facelift cars leaves a lot to be desired, things tend not to break or stop working. Crucially, items such as batteries and electric motors tend to be incredibly long-lasting.
Charge
Whereas the Performance and Long Range editions have DC charging at up to 250kW, the RWD can only charge at a maximum of 170kW. AC charging on all models is limited to 11kW.
Interior
This has been the area of greatest frustration for us, because the build quality of pre-facelift cars was poor, and the touchscreen controlled too many functions. The facelift improved things, but we’d still like more switches.
Where the Tesla excels is cabin space; rear head and legroom are superb and there’s masses of boot space.
Running costs
EVs tend to sit in high insurance groups, and that’s the case here. Even the RWD is in group 46, while the Long Range RWD and AWD are in groups 37-45 and 42-48 respectively. The Performance is in groups 47-50.
All Model Ys cost more than £40,000 when new, so they’re liable for the expensive car tax supplement. That means a £620 road tax bill up until the car’s sixth birthday.
‘Fuel’ should be cheap if you can charge at home, and maintenance is also good value. There’s no servicing schedule as such; a £25 brake fluid test is advised every four years, while the pollen filter can be replaced on a DIY basis for around £7. The HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter should be replaced every three years for about £250.
Tyres normally last 15,000-20,000 miles, depending on driving style
Recalls
The Model Y has been recalled seven times, the first (December 2021) was before the initial batch of cars were delivered in the UK. This was because some suspension parts hadn’t been tightened correctly on the production line.
Recall two, in April 2022, was because of eCall glitches; recall three, in December 2024, was down to tyre-pressure-monitoring problems. Both were fixed with software updates, as were the next three recalls. They were because of problems with the rear-view camera and steering (both March 2025), and the electric window motors (September 2025).
The most recent Model Y recall came in October 2025, because of faulty reversing lights as a result of problems with the wiring harness or rear-lamp housing.
Driver Power owner satisfaction
The Model 3 has consistently done well in our surveys; the Model Y made its Driver Power debut this year, in 15th place.
It managed top-three places for the safety systems, infotainment and cabin space, while owners also like the acceleration, cabin and boot space, plus servicing costs; all had top 10 rankings, as did drivetrain smoothness.
However, owners don’t like the interior or exterior quality, the ride quality or the lack of buttons to control key functions.
Did you know you can sell your car through Auto Express? We’ll help you get a great price and find a great deal on a new car, too.
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