Like most other elements of the Tesla experience, the EV-only brand does servicing somewhat differently to its competitors.
For example, scheduling a service appointment needs to be done via the companion phone app, and Tesla offers either a mobile service or a service centre appointment option for each visit. If the car is dropped at a service centre, Tesla will notify the owner via the app when the car is ready to be picked up.
Visits are also not defined by kilometre or time-based intervals, the car’s computer will inform owners when servicing is required on a condition-based interval.
The service manual for a Model 3 and Model Y stipulates that, at very least, the brake fluid and cabin air filter needs to be checked and replaced if necessary every 24 months, the air conditioning desiccant bag needs to be replaced every six years, and tyres need to be rotated every 10,000km.
Tesla’s new-car warranty is behind the pace compared to most mainstream automakers, limited to just four years and 80,000km. However, a separate high-voltage component warranty for the drive motors and battery pack covers eight-years and 192,000km. Seventy per cent of the car’s original battery capacity is guaranteed at that time.
In summary: Condition-based servicing seems to make sense for an EV, and there should be significantly fewer parts and, subsequently, costs involved. However, Tesla is hardly transparent about the costs or intervals involved and its new-car warranty is behind the pace. 6/10
If you want to find out more about a specific manufacturer's capped price servicing, please see below:
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