09/29/2026
We just wrapped up $31,000 in repairs on this Tesla Model S.
A team member bought this car in non-running condition with a failed battery pack. Once we got it running, we discovered the rear drive unit was noisy too. Those two issues meant this Model S needed more love than most, but it's still a great example of how ugly things can get when an EV is neglected for 164,000 kilometers.
There's a common misconception that electric vehicles "don't need maintenance". From a team of pros that services 5-10 EVs every day: that's simply not the case. They require ππ¦π΄π΄ maintenance (for the first 5-7 years, anyway) but certainly not zero. It's not uncommon for us to inspect a 10-15 year old EV and write up a $10,000 - $15,000 to-do list, because quite often, our full inspection is the first one the car has ever had. Many of those vehicles were uπ―πͺπ―π΅π¦π―π΅πͺπ°π―π’πππΊ π―π¦π¨ππ¦π€π΅π¦π₯ because the owners didn't know better β and sometimes, had been misled by the manufacturer.
Expressed in retail dollars that a client would pay, here's where we spent the money:
π΅ $11,800 - replace the battery with a larger, second-generation 90 kWh battery that is more robust and charges faster.
π΅ $6,000 - fully overhaul the drive unit and install a revised coolant manifold.
π΅ $3,400 - replace worn and loose suspension parts.
π΅ $2,100 - repair air conditioning refrigerant leaks.
π΅ $1,630 - replace 3 failed or failing door handles.
π΅ $1,600 - replace worn axle shafts and driveline parts.
π΅ $1,410 - replace all four tires.
π΅ $920 - repair cooling system leaks.
π΅ $580 - repair various exterior sensor and wiring issues.
π΅ $430 - service the brake calipers and replace several parts that were rusted or seized beyond saving.
π΅ $320 - flush brake fluid, heavily contaminated at 4% water and 300 ppm copper.
π΅ $300 - replace the air conditioning desiccant, a 3 year maintenance item.
π΅ $250 - replace/repair burnt-out exterior lights.
None of this happened overnight. These problems piled up slowly, year after year, until they turned into a massive repair estimate.
Your best defense is simple: get a full inspection from a skilled, honest technician once a year. Every car on the road deserves one, whether it runs on gas, diesel, or electrons.
Skilled and honest? Who does that sound like? π Don't worry, we'd love to help.
