Used Tesla Model S: five things we love and five things we loathe

Arriving after the Roadster as Tesla's second car, the Model S is said to be one of the most significant and influential cars in the industry.

The success that the Model S brought - and continues to bring - for Tesla is staggering. In 2015, it was the world's best-selling electric car, it was named as one of 2012's Best 25 Inventions of the Year, and has been described as "a car that changed the world".

It earned all of these accolades after a rocky development process that saw the Tesla team buy two Mercedes CLS', strip them apart and reconfigure it to the standard of their new electric saloon. Designer Henrik Fisker was fired in the process and the project burned over $200 million throughout its development.

How much, then, do you suppose it costs to buy one of these? Well, a brand new Model S costs from around €90,000 in Continental Europe, while in the UK you can only buy one in left-hand drive.

However, if you search the second-hand market, an early Model S can be picked up from around £14,000 (€17,000). Sounds tempting, then, but what exactly are you buying into? Let's find out...

We LOVE a used Tesla Model S because...

There are so many different powertrain configurations available. Used buyers can choose from one of four battery options, which comprise of a 60kWh and a 75kWh pack, both of which were available in all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive configurations. Meanwhile, the 85kWh pack has been replaced with a 90kWh pack which is good for a 346-mile range, 4.2sec 0-62mph time and 415bhp. Topping the range is a 100kWh battery pack which extends the cruising range to 393 miles.

Those looking for a bit more performance can opt for the P100D. It can still travel 381 miles per charge, but produces 603bhp and 713lb ft of peak torque from its twin electric motors, and has the ability to crack 0-62mph in 2.5 seconds.

We LOATHE a used Tesla Model S because...

On early Model S's, the electric range is far from outstanding. On a typical motorway run, expect a range of 220 to 250 miles. If you’re prepared to cruise at a 50-60mph A-road pace, 300 miles would be achievable. When our sister title Autocar tested a Model S 85D, they were able to get a real-world range of 222 miles; most electric cars nowadays will either beat or match that. 

That being said, a full charge will cost between £5 and £10, or between €6 and €12. This makes it much cheaper to fill up than an equivalent petrol or diesel car.

We LOVE a used Tesla Model S because...

It simply wouldn’t be possible to combine the Tesla Model S’s levels of refinement, power and calming ease of use in a combustion-engined saloon. It has the torque, suave and relaxing delivery of performance that a V12 Jaguar or Mercedes would have delivered - but it does without any sort of lag or delay before accelerating.

If you're taking off from 40mph - where the powertrain simultaneously delivers peak power and peak torque - the smoothness and speed of response is nothing short of incredible.

We LOATHE a used Tesla Model S because...

Despite this ferociously smooth delivery of performance, the car can’t sustain being flat out for very long. For short bursts of full-power acceleration, the electric powertrain works brilliantly. But when Move Electric's sister title Autocar tested one, they couldn’t complete one flying lap of their dry handling circuit before the battery, inverter and electric motor tripped into safe mode and cut peak output by at least 50 percent.

We LOVE a used Tesla Model S because...

Despite being quite an old car now, the Model S's chassis still feels as comfortable, well-controlled and unflappable as many of its more contemporary competitors. The air suspension allows the usual few degrees of gently bumbling, constant body movement on a testing road, but nothing too discouraging.

Needless to say, it is also a supremely quiet car when you're on the move.

We LOATHE a used Tesla Model S because...

If you want key functions such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and a permanent 3G data connection, you need to make sure the car you're looking at is fitted with the optional Tech Pack. It feeds information to the sat-nav and will even connect to your home Wi-Fi if a software update is required.

We LOVE a used Tesla Model S because...

Thanks to the packaging benefits the Model S's powertrain allows, you get a tremendous amount of storage space inside. You’ll find evidence of this when you first open both the bonnet and the boot and look at the cargo volume that’s split between them: an estate-trumping 1795 litres. Only a pure electric car can deliver packaging like it.

Elsewhere inside, you get a lot of space for your legs to stretch out and the minimalist dashboard makes everything look satisfyingly decluttered.

We LOATHE a used Tesla Model S because...

The satellite navigation system primarily operates via the instrument binnacle ahead of the driver and is quite low on detail. The secondary system, which works off of the 17in touchscreen, relies on a decent 4G connection and access to Google Maps. If you're in an area with poor mobile coverage, programming can be a bit slow, but it does work well provided you have a good network.

We LOVE a used Tesla Model S because...

No matter the age of the Model S you buy, you will always have access to Tesla's Supercharger network. Unmatched for ease of use and reliability, it takes just 15 minutes to recharge up to 172 miles and the network now has over 6500 stations around the world.

We LOATHE a used Tesla Model S because...

Material quality could be better. The veneers and accent trims on the fascia look pleasant from a distance but don't feel very nice when you inspect them more closely. Whatever the cause, it goes some way to cheapen this otherwise roomy, boldly-styled, fresh and modern cabin.

Other quality issues became present as more owners began to live with their cars. For example, the waterproof sealant on the B-pillar would begin to unstick itself over time, especially if you rub against it when getting in and out of the car.