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Sell a damaged or dead Tesla
Model 3, Model Y, Model S or Model X with a crash, an underbody hit, a battery fault or a screen that won't wake up. We buy Teslas as they sit and move them the way Tesla's own transport instructions say to.
- Every Tesla model sold in Canada, any year
- Transport mode or wheel skates, always on a flatbed
- Paid at pickup
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Why Teslas get written off so easily
Teslas are built differently from most cars. The battery forms a large part of the floor, and newer Model Ys use big single-piece castings in the body structure. A hard hit to one of those areas can turn a repair into a much bigger job than the damage looks like from outside.
Repairs also need a shop that's trained and equipped for Teslas, parts can take time, and any hit near the floor raises the question of whether the pack needs inspection or replacement. Put together, a lot of Teslas end up costing more to fix than they're worth.
What makes a damaged Tesla worth more
- The pack. Long Range and Performance packs are worth more than Standard Range, and an untouched pack is worth more than one that was hit.
- Dual motor. Two drive units mean two valuable parts.
- Model and year. Newer cars and higher-demand models like the Model Y are in more demand for parts.
- Where the damage is. A front-end hit that missed the pack is a very different car from one with floor damage.
- Whether it wakes up. If the screen works, we can learn a lot from what it shows.
Moving a Tesla the right way
Tesla's instructions are clear: transport with all four tires off the ground, on a flatbed. To roll the car onto the deck, it needs to be in transport mode, which needs 12-volt power and a key the car can detect. When the 12-volt battery is flat, it can be jumped through the terminals at the front of the car. When the car won't wake at all, wheel skates take its weight.
That's how we load every Tesla we buy. Nothing gets dragged on its own wheels.
Before we pick it up
- Remove the car from your Tesla account in the app
- If the screen works, sign out and do a factory reset
- Delete your phone key and gather every key card
- Clear out personal items and garage door codes
- Keep your plates and cancel insurance after the sale
Crashed Teslas and ICBC
If ICBC writes your Tesla off and pays you out, the car normally goes to ICBC. If you were at fault without Collision coverage, or the car is otherwise still yours, we can buy it. The repair, claim or sell guide explains each case. For other kinds of damage, see selling a damaged EV.
Questions about selling a damaged Tesla
Can you buy a Tesla that's still financed?
Yes. We confirm the payout amount with your lender and make sure the loan is cleared as part of the sale. If the car is leased, the leasing company owns it and has to agree to the sale first.
My Tesla is at a collision centre. Can you pick it up there?
Yes. Tell us which shop and who to speak to. Any storage fees are settled between you and the shop before the car leaves.
Does a Tesla have to be in transport mode to be towed?
To roll it onto a flatbed, yes, or it has to go on wheel skates. Tesla says never to tow one with the wheels on the ground.
Do you buy Teslas with flood damage?
Often, yes. Don't try to power it on or charge it, keep it outside and away from buildings, and call us first.
Keep reading
Want it gone this week?
Call with the year, model and what happened. We'll ask a few questions about the battery and where it's parked, then give you a number.