Saloon · 2019–2024

TeslaModel 3

The default premium EV saloon. RWD, Long Range and Performance differ wildly in pace and range — software and battery health matter most.

Best for: Drivers with home charging wanting EV pace.

Indicative running costs ~£1,508–£2,382 / year

Power: 283–513 hp
Economy: 3.5–4.5 mi/kWh
Fuel: Electric
Boot: 425 litres + frunk
0–60: 8.5–12.5 sec 0–60 mph
Ins. group: Grp12–28, depending on trim and power

Owner essentials

The lookups people actually search for — pressures, oil and spare status. Confirm against the V5C engine code and door sticker.

Tyre size

Often 235/45 R18 or 235/40 R19 (Performance wider rear)

Tyre pressure (cold)

Often ~42 PSI recommended — check app/sticker

Engine oil

No engine oil — gearbox/drive-unit fluid is specialist

Oil capacity

N/A (EV)

Spare / puncture kit

No spare — tyre repair kit / insurance roadside

ULEZ

Zero tailpipe emissions — generally ULEZ exempt (confirm current TfL rules)

Need a PSI ↔ bar converter? Tyre pressure tool →

UK running costs

Ballpark annual ownership for a private Tesla Model 3 at ~8,000 miles/year.

~£1,508–£2,382 / year

Cost	Indicative yearly figure
Energy (home charging)	~£560/yr home charging @ £0.28/kWh, 8,000 miles (~4 mi/kWh)
Road tax	£0–£195 (EV rules changing — check GOV.UK)
Insurance	£550–£1,100 (indicative)
Servicing	~£180–£300 (EV health check / cabin & brake fluid)
Tyres (avg)	~£200–£360 averaged over a set

· Assumes ~8,000 private miles/year — scale up/down with your mileage.
· Insurance is the wild card: age, postcode, NCB and claims history matter more than the car alone.
· Figures are illustrative UK ballparks for planning — not quotes. Use our running-costs tool for a custom budget.

Custom running-costs calculator →Journey fuel cost →Road tax estimator →

Variants & trims

GTI / ST / R-Line / AMG Line are not the same thing — match the boot badge and V5C engine code.

6 listed

Variant	Engine	Power	Economy	Road tax
Standard Range / RWD Efficiency focused. Single motor · 4.0–4.5 mi/kWh	Single motor	~271–283 hp	4.0–4.5 mi/kWh	£0–£195*
Long Range RWD Later LR RWD. Single motor · 4.0–4.5 mi/kWh	Single motor	~283 hp	4.0–4.5 mi/kWh	£0–£195*
Long Range AWD Best all-rounder. Dual motor · 3.5–4.2 mi/kWh	Dual motor	~346 hp	3.5–4.2 mi/kWh	£0–£195*
Performance Track Mode, big brakes — tyre budget. Dual motor · 3.2–3.8 mi/kWh	Dual motor	513 hp	3.2–3.8 mi/kWh	£0–£195*
Performance with Ludicrous / Track Pack Options matter — verify config. Dual motor · 3.2–3.8 mi/kWh	Dual motor	513 hp	3.2–3.8 mi/kWh	£0–£195*
Highland refresh 2023+ restyle — different interior. RWD / AWD · 4.0–4.5 mi/kWh	RWD / AWD	Various	4.0–4.5 mi/kWh	£0–£195*

*Indicative annual UK VED. Confirm on GOV.UK.

Full specifications

EngineElectric motor

GearboxSingle-speed automatic

DimensionsApprox. 4.0–4.6m long · 1.7–1.8m wide

ServiceFollow manufacturer EV schedule; check brake fluid and cabin filter yearly

InsuranceTypically groups 12–28, depending on trim and power

Road taxOften £0 standard rate — confirm current GOV.UK rules and any expensive-car supplement

CO₂0 g/km at tailpipe

Tyre sizeOften 235/45 R18 or 235/40 R19 (Performance wider rear)

Tyre pressureOften ~42 PSI recommended — check app/sticker

OilNo engine oil — gearbox/drive-unit fluid is specialist

Oil capacityN/A (EV)

ULEZZero tailpipe emissions — generally ULEZ exempt (confirm current TfL rules)

Buying a used Model 3

1Service history is mostly mobile/software — get a detailed scan
2Check for prior accident structural repairs
3Performance: tyre and brake budget

· Confirm the exact engine code, trim and gearbox on the V5C before ordering parts
· Check the latest MOT history and advisories on GOV.UK
· Compare cold-start behaviour, warning lights and service invoices before buying

Common faults to check

Inspection prompts — not a diagnosis.

Panel gap and paint quality variance
Suspension arm wear on UK roads
12V / low-voltage battery issues on some years

Tesla Model 3 FAQs

Is a used Tesla Model 3 expensive to run in the UK?

As a rough guide, many owners should budget ~£1,508–£2,382 / year including energy (home charging), tax, insurance, servicing and tyres at ~8,000 miles/year. Hotter trims and young drivers cost more.

What tyre pressure does a Tesla Model 3 need?

Often ~42 PSI recommended — check app/sticker. Pressures change with load and wheel size — the legal reference is the sticker in the door shut or fuel flap, not the sidewall maximum.

What oil does a Tesla Model 3 take?

No engine oil — gearbox/drive-unit fluid is specialist. Capacity is N/A (EV). Wrong oil on wet-belt / LongLife engines can be an expensive mistake — confirm by engine code in the handbook.

What are common Tesla Model 3 problems?

Buyers most often watch for: Panel gap and paint quality variance; Suspension arm wear on UK roads. Always cross-check MOT history and a pre-purchase inspection.

Is the Tesla Model 3 ULEZ compliant?

Zero tailpipe emissions — generally ULEZ exempt (confirm current TfL rules)

Owner handbook

Official Tesla manuals for exact oil grades, torque figures and fuse maps. We link out; PDFs stay with the manufacturer.

Tesla owner manuals ↗

Guides & tools

More Tesla

Model Y

Electric

Reviewed October 2026. Photos: Wikimedia Commons. Cost figures are illustrative UK planning ranges, not insurer or DVLA quotes. Manufacturer handbook and UK model-year specifications GOV.UK MOT guidance and vehicle test standards Owner and workshop inspection patterns; verify against the specific VIN