Tesla raised the price of its last new Model S units by $15,000 on April 1, the same day it confirmed production had ended. About 600 new units remain globally. A base Model S now starts at $109,990 new. If you want one, you're buying used.
Production ran from June 2012 to April 2026, 14 years at Tesla's Fremont factory. The line is being retooled for Optimus robot manufacturing. Tesla and Elon Musk have called it an "honorable discharge." There's no announced replacement nameplate. The used market is the only source going forward.
There are currently 1,688 used Model S listings and 1,569 used Model X listings in the U.S., per CarScout market data from April 5, 2026. Here's how prices and mileage break down by year:
Current Used Market Prices
Tesla Model S: U.S. Used Market (CarScout, April 5, 2026)
| Year | Listings | Price Range | Avg Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 165 | $14,000–$38,900 | 74,697 |
| 2019 | 98 | $18,900–$55,000 | 65,816 |
| 2020 | 109 | $18,800–$41,500 | 69,495 |
| 2021 | 297 | $26,450–$72,473 | 48,569 |
| 2022 | 254 | $29,450–$75,900 | 42,717 |
| 2023 | 152 | $42,499–$80,999 | 36,513 |
| 2024 | 35 | $59,500–$89,998 | 26,429 |
Tesla Model X: U.S. Used Market (CarScout, April 5, 2026)
| Year | Listings | Price Range | Avg Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 165 | $15,000–$58,888 | 77,727 |
| 2019 | 96 | $17,250–$42,195 | 70,833 |
| 2020 | 135 | $19,980–$44,998 | 66,852 |
| 2021 | 45 | $29,999–$100,000 | 57,222 |
| 2022 | 348 | $37,495–$80,936 | 42,960 |
| 2023 | 348 | $41,800–$89,995 | 33,333 |
| 2024 | 158 | $26,900–$98,000 | 26,582 |
Pre-Refresh vs. Post-Refresh
Tesla refreshed both models in 2021. The new interior brought a horizontal center screen replacing the original portrait display, a controversial yoke steering option, and rear entertainment panels. The Plaid trim (three motors, 1,020 hp, 1.99-second 0-60 for the Model S) launched alongside the refresh.
Pre-refresh cars (2012-2020) still get Tesla's over-the-air software updates, but they're operating on aging hardware and have been off the design roadmap for five years. They're in the $14K-$42K range with 65-78K average miles. The value is obvious. Long-term OTA software support is a genuine question mark.
Post-refresh cars (2021-2024) sit in another price tier entirely. You're paying for newer battery chemistry, better range (405 miles for the 2022 Model S Long Range), and a longer expected software runway. The 2021 Model S has the most used supply of any post-refresh year: 297 listings, with prices starting around $26,450.
The Sweet Spot
The 2021 and 2022 Model S Long Range is the clearest used buy. Average mileage in the 42K-48K range. Price floors starting at $26,450-$29,450. That's against $109,990 for a new unit. Five-year depreciation on the Model S runs 65-70% from MSRP, according to CarEdge data, with the steepest drop in years one through three. You're buying after the worst of that is done.
Some 2021 yoke-equipped cars generated NHTSA complaints around steering response. Tesla addressed this via OTA updates, but if the specific car still has the yoke, factor in personal preference. Tesla offered round-wheel retrofit kits, and many owners installed them.
For the Model X, the 2022 year has the most supply: 348 listings, which gives you real negotiating room. The Falcon Wing rear doors on the Model X are functional and impressive, but their obstacle-detection sensors have generated service calls. Add a door-cycle test and sensor check to your inspection list.
Battery Health: What to Actually Check
Tesla battery degradation is lower than most EVs. Most owners report 5-10% range loss after 150,000 miles, according to data from Recurrent Auto. The warranty guarantees a minimum of 70% capacity at 8 years or 150K miles. That sounds reassuring until you do the math: 70% of a 405-mile Long Range pack is 284 miles. Know what you're accepting.
To verify battery health before buying: ask the seller for a screenshot of the battery management screen at 100% charge showing estimated range, then compare to the original EPA figure. If you're spending more than $40K, pay for a pre-purchase inspection from an EV-specialized shop. They can read cell group imbalances, thermal management history, and fast-charge frequency. Frequent Supercharger use accelerates degradation more than Level 2 home charging.
Recalls to Check Before Buying
Tesla's OTA update system handles most software-related recalls automatically. Physical defects require dealer service. Here are the active campaigns worth verifying as closed before signing anything:
| Recall | Affected Vehicles | Fix Required |
|---|---|---|
| Airbag may tear during deployment | 2021-2025 Model S & X | Dealer service |
| Horn pad incorrectly installed | 2021-2024 Model S; 2021-2025 Model X | Dealer service |
| Hood latch may not detect open hood | 2021-2024 Model S & X | Dealer service |
| Rearview camera circuit board failure | 2024-2025 Model S; 2023-2025 Model X | OTA (issued Dec 2024) |
| Seat belt warning may not activate | 2012-2024 Model S; 2015-2024 Model X | Check VIN status |
Enter any VIN at nhtsa.gov to see open campaigns. The airbag tear defect and horn pad installation issue both require physical dealer visits and can't be verified by a software update log. Ask for completed recall documentation before purchase.
Will Prices Rise Now That Production Is Over?
Probably not by much, and not quickly. Tesla Model S and X values fell 7.26% year-over-year in 2025, per CarGurus data. That's a steeper drop than the used market overall, driven by repeated new-car price cuts and uneven demand. Discontinuation removes the new-price anchor, which historically drives used car values down. That dynamic is now gone.
But scarcity isn't here yet. Over 3,200 combined S and X listings exist today. More 2021-2023 cars will come off lease in the next 12-18 months, adding supply before it shrinks. Prices will likely stabilize, then drift slowly upward as the years-old cars age out. Low-mileage 2023-2024 Plaid examples are the most collector-positioned; everything else should be treated as a daily driver purchase, not an investment.
The best time to buy is probably right now. The discontinued-model pricing panic hasn't materialized yet.
Model S vs. Model X: The Practical Choice
Model S: lower and faster. The 2022 Long Range does 0-60 in 3.1 seconds; the Plaid hits 1.99 seconds. 405 miles of range. No third-row option. Better aerodynamic efficiency.
Model X: full-size SUV, standard third row, more cargo space, and those Falcon Wing doors that will either delight or frustrate you depending on your parking situation. Slightly shorter range than the comparable Model S. More useful for families. The 2022 Model X has deeper used supply than the Model S 2022 (348 vs. 254 listings), giving buyers more leverage.
CarScout tracks live used Tesla Model S and Model X pricing daily, with alerts when listings matching your year, trim, and price range appear. Plans start at $5 per week.
Is the Tesla Model S permanently discontinued? Yes. Tesla confirmed production ended April 1, 2026, with the Fremont assembly line being converted for Optimus humanoid robot manufacturing. About 600 new units remain globally. Tesla has no announced replacement nameplate. The used market is the only source of Model S and Model X vehicles going forward.
What year Tesla Model S is best to buy used? The 2021-2022 Model S Long Range is the clearest starting point. Both are post-refresh, carry the new interior and better battery chemistry, and have average mileage in the 42K-48K range. The 2022 starts at $29,450 in current listings. Five-year depreciation from new typically runs 65-70%, meaning most of the value drop has already happened by the time these cars reach the used market.
How do I check a used Tesla's battery health before buying? Ask the seller for a photo of the vehicle's battery screen at 100% charge showing predicted range, then compare to the original EPA figure. For purchases above $40K, have an EV-specialized shop run a full battery diagnostic: cell group balance, thermal performance, and Supercharger history. Tesla's warranty guarantees no worse than 70% capacity at 8 years, but a high-mileage or high-Supercharger-use car may be significantly below its new range before that threshold.