Dealer visit checklist
2024 Tesla Model Y checklist
Print it or keep it on your phone. Tick each item as you go so nothing gets missed.
Inspect the car
- Check every panel gap and look for mismatched paint (signs of past accident repair)
- Look at the tires: even wear, matching brands, at least 4/32" tread
- Check under the car and engine bay for oil, coolant or other leaks
- Start the engine cold; listen for knocks, ticks or squeals and watch for smoke
- Test every window, lock, seat, light, the A/C, heat and infotainment
- Test drive on city streets and highway: straight braking, smooth shifts, no pulling
- Ask for the service records and a vehicle history report
- Have an independent mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection (about $100–$200)
Known 2024 Tesla Model Y problems to check
- Panel gaps and paint inconsistencies remain a reported issue on delivery — do a thorough PDI walk-around
- Rattles and squeaks from the interior trim, particularly the dashboard and door panels, are among the most common owner complaints
- Rear suspension popping or clunking noise, especially in colder climates, has affected some 2023-2024 builds
- Autopilot hardware and software bugs — phantom braking and unintended lane changes — still surface despite FSD updates
- Glass roof seal leaks during heavy rain have been reported on a subset of units; check carefully if buying in a wet climate
Ask: have these recalls been fixed?
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL: Tesla, Inc.
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH: Tesla, Inc.
- SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER: Tesla, Inc.
- TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS: Tesla, Inc.
- BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE: Tesla, Inc.
Negotiate the price
- Know the typical price: about $41,500 for this model year
- Negotiate the out-the-door price, not the monthly payment
- Get the full price with every fee listed in writing before you sign
- Bring your own loan pre-approval so the dealer has a rate to beat
- Say no to add-ons you didn't ask for (paint protection, VIN etching, nitrogen tires)
- Negotiate your trade-in separately, after the car's price is agreed
- Be ready to walk away; another listing is usually a click away