Tesla Repair Costs Are More Than 27% Higher Than The Average Car. Here's Why

Tesla is a company that's built its name on the manufacture of electric vehicles (EVs) with cutting-edge technology, unique designs, and the potential for a future without high-priced gasoline. As the average person becomes accustomed to the idea that EVs are the way of the future, Tesla has become a sort of default consideration made by any consumer looking to purchase a new car. With the potential for a gasoline-free experience in mind, many consumers forget to consider the rest of the costs associated with owning a new car, some of which can be monstrous.

A Tesla vehicle owner may be able to avoid temperamental gas prices, but these cars can be more expensive to operate and maintain than the average bigger-brand vehicle (via Jalopnik). The costs of maintaining and repairing a Tesla vehicle shouldn't count the brand out completely, but it's important that potential buyers understand what they're getting into before they drop their cash.

For most people, avoiding the costs of your average oil change is enough to get a Tesla. At the same time, there's a real chance that the cash you save in traditional vehicle upkeep could be offset by the price of your average Tesla hardware repair. According to RepairPal, repair costs for Tesla vehicles are 27% higher than those of comparable gas-powered vehicles. This same source suggests that the average repair cost of any given Tesla vehicle is approximately $832 per year, whereas the average vehicle (across all brands) is closer to $652 per year. 

The reason repairs for Teslas are so expensive is because many of the parts aren't as mass-produced as those made for far more high-production vehicles. Take for instance a Tesla Model X windshield, which cost one owner over $1500 to replace. Once a family of vehicles has been on the road for a significant amount of time, demand for replacement parts is inevitably met by third-party suppliers. Tesla hasn't yet been making cars long enough for this to happen. 

It's also important to consider the fact that Tesla does not have the best reputation for reliability. According to a JD Power 2021 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, the automaker ranked 30th out of 33 vehicle brands in the reliability category — or it would have if it'd met study rank criteria at the time.

Potential EV buyers must remember that the world of EVs, in general, is still relatively new, which means both parts and labor will cost more than they do for internal combustion engine cars. They should also note that Tesla cars are ultimately considered luxury cars, which means they are more expensive to repair than the lowest-price EVs on the market, as well as the vast majority of traditional gasoline vehicles.