Tesla Model 3 depreciation: when to buy & cost to own
Estimates as of July 2026.
The Tesla Model 3 (EV, ~$42,000 new) loses about 43% of its value in five years — it depreciates faster than the 41.8% market average. Its cheapest age to buy is 3 years old: held five years that's about $2,399/yr in depreciation and upkeep versus $3,924/yr buying new — keeping 38.9% more of your money.
Add taxes & registration: at ~$42,000 new, sales tax alone is about $2,940 (at 7%), but at 3 years old it's about $1,940 — roughly $1,000 saved in sales tax alone. Value-based registration is charged each year too. Set the rates for your state in the calculator below.
Depreciation chart: value by age
Tesla Model 3 depreciation chart — the graph and table show estimated resale value by age and model year, from real current used-listing prices.
| Age | Model year | Est. resale value | Total lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| New | 2026 (new) | $42,000 | 0% |
| 1 yr | 2025 | $38,220 | 9% |
| 2 yr | 2024 | $36,540 | 13% |
| 3 yr | 2023 | $27,720 | 34% |
| 4 yr | 2022 | $26,040 | 38% |
| 5 yr | 2021 | $23,940 | 43% |
| 7 yr | 2019 | $20,234 | 51.8% |
| 10 yr | 2016 | $15,723 | 62.6% |
What will it cost you to own?
All-in cost = depreciation + maintenance + sales tax + registration. The calculator opens at this car's computed best buy age; drag "Buy at (age)" to compare. Sales tax and registration vary by state — the defaults (7% tax, value-based registration) are U.S. ballparks; set 0 where they don't apply. Figures are modeled estimates. How we estimate this →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Tesla Model 3 depreciate?
About 43% over the first 5 years (market average ~41.8%): a $42,000 Tesla Model 3 is worth roughly $23,940 at year five.
When is the best time to buy a used Tesla Model 3?
At about 3 years old — after the front-loaded drop, before rising upkeep. The calculator above shows the total and per-year cost for any buy-age and holding period.
When should I sell a Tesla Model 3?
Depreciation is steepest in year 3 — about 21% of the new price in that year alone. If you're selling, the biggest value hits come early: sell before the steep years to capture more, or hold past year five, where the curve flattens and each extra year costs less in lost resale value. Current estimated resale values by model year are in the table above.