Tesla Model Y depreciation: when to buy & cost to own
Estimates as of July 2026.
The Tesla Model Y (EV, ~$51,400 new) loses about 51.4% of its value in five years — it depreciates faster than the 41.8% market average. Its cheapest age to buy is 1 year old: held five years that's about $4,355/yr in depreciation and upkeep versus $5,933/yr buying new — keeping 26.6% more of your money.
Add taxes & registration: at ~$51,400 new, sales tax alone is about $3,598 (at 7%), but at 1 year old it's about $2,731 — roughly $867 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 Y 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) | $51,400 | 0% |
| 1 yr | 2025 | $39,013 | 24.1% |
| 2 yr | 2024 | $35,980 | 30% |
| 3 yr | 2023 | $32,999 | 35.8% |
| 4 yr | 2022 | $30,018 | 41.6% |
| 5 yr | 2021 | $24,980 | 51.4% |
| 7 yr | 2019 | $18,048 | 64.9% |
| 10 yr | 2016 | $11,084 | 78.4% |
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 Y depreciate?
About 51.4% over the first 5 years (market average ~41.8%): a $51,400 Tesla Model Y is worth roughly $24,980 at year five.
When is the best time to buy a used Tesla Model Y?
At about 1 year 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 Y?
Depreciation is steepest in year 1 — about 24.1% 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.
Why are used Tesla Model Ys so cheap?
Because a Tesla Model Y loses about 51.4% of its value in five years — far more than the 41.8% market average. Rapid new-model price cuts, improving battery tech, and EV tax-credit effects drag used prices down. That's bad for the first owner and a bargain for the second — see the cost-to-own calculator above.