Tesla Warranty Check by VIN
Tesla’s published coverage periods, how the warranty start date is set, and what carries over to a second owner.
A car built in one year and sold the next carries a start date that only the manufacturer’s record confirms.
Tesla ties coverage to the delivery date, so decode the VIN for model and trim, then check the vehicle in your Tesla Account, which shows warranty status for cars linked to you. Published coverage is 4 years or 50,000 miles basic, plus a Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty of 8 years and between 100,000 and 150,000 miles depending on the model and trim.
Tesla factory warranty coverage
These are Tesla’s published U.S. coverage periods for new vehicles. Each runs from the warranty start date, and whichever limit — time or mileage — is reached first ends that coverage.
| Coverage | Period |
|---|---|
| Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty | 4 years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km), whichever comes first |
| Battery and Drive Unit - Model S and Model X | 8 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever comes first, with at least 70% battery capacity retention |
| Battery and Drive Unit - Model 3 and Model Y Long Range or Performance | 8 years or 120,000 miles (192,000 km), whichever comes first, with at least 70% battery capacity retention |
| Battery and Drive Unit - Model 3 and Model Y Standard or Standard Range Plus | 8 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km), whichever comes first, with at least 70% battery capacity retention |
| Supplemental Restraint System (seat belts and air bags) | 5 years or 60,000 miles (100,000 km), whichever comes first |
| Body Rust Limited Warranty | 12 years, unlimited mileage, for rust perforation through a body panel from the inside outwards |
| Roadside assistance | Available while the vehicle is covered by a Tesla New Vehicle or Pre-Owned Vehicle Limited Warranty and located in its warranty region |
| Battery ZEV Limited Warranty (California-certified vehicles) | 8 years or 100,000 miles against defects causing battery capacity retention to fall below 70% |
How to check remaining coverage on a VIN
- Decode the 17-character VIN to confirm the model and trim, because the Battery and Drive Unit term differs between Model S/X, Long Range and Performance cars, and Standard versions.
- Identify the delivery date, since Tesla's warranty periods run from when the vehicle was first delivered rather than from the model year.
- Sign in to the Tesla Account and select the vehicle to view its coverage and documents, or open the service section of the Tesla app for a car linked to your account.
- Download the New Vehicle Limited Warranty PDF whose effective date matches the purchase and read its coverage section, since Tesla revises these terms periodically.
- Contact Tesla at 1-877-798-3752 with the VIN if the car is not in your account or you are assessing one before buying. The terms above come from the North America New Vehicle Limited Warranty effective 5 June 2025, checked in August 2026.
Does the warranty transfer to a second owner?
Tesla's New Vehicle Limited Warranty is transferable at no cost to any person who subsequently and lawfully assumes ownership of the vehicle, so a used buyer keeps the remaining basic, Battery and Drive Unit, restraint system and body rust coverage without a fee or transfer form. One condition still applies: warranty service must be obtained in the vehicle's original warranty region, and a US or Canadian car can be serviced in either country.
What a warranty check cannot tell you
- Whether previous damage or modification has voided coverage on a specific component.
- Whether required maintenance was performed — manufacturers can deny claims where servicing was neglected.
- Anything about title brands, accident history, or odometer records; those are separate VIN checks.
- The status of open safety recalls, which are repaired free of charge regardless of warranty.
Tesla and federal sources
Open the underlying public source and verify that its scope matches the question you are asking.
Tesla warranty questions
Is a Tesla warranty transferable to a second owner?
Yes. Tesla's New Vehicle Limited Warranty transfers at no cost to anyone who subsequently and lawfully assumes ownership, so the remaining basic and Battery and Drive Unit coverage follows the car. Service must still be obtained in the vehicle's original warranty region.
How long is the Tesla battery warranty?
Eight years, with the mileage limit set by model: 150,000 miles on Model S and Model X, 120,000 miles on Long Range and Performance versions of Model 3 and Model Y, and 100,000 miles on Standard versions, each with at least 70% capacity retention.
Does Tesla cover rust?
Yes. Tesla's Body Rust Limited Warranty covers rust perforation, meaning a hole through a body panel from the inside outwards, caused by a defect in material or workmanship, for 12 years with unlimited mileage. Surface corrosion from stone chips or scratches is excluded.