My Tesla was built months ago. Should I worry?
Tesla's pages we read do not say that a car built some months ago is a problem, and they give no rule for how long a new car can wait. They do say tires can form flat spots when a car sits, and that tires age. So check the tire date and pressures, and ask the advisor when the car was built.
What this page can and cannot tell you
You found out your Tesla was built months before it reached you, and you wonder if you should worry. We cannot answer that for your car. This page is for the United States and uses Tesla’s own Model Y Owner’s Manual, and the manual does not say that a car built some time ago is a problem, nor does it give a limit. What it does say is useful for a few things you can check.
Some cars reach their buyers soon after they were built, and some wait first. The pages we read do not say which is normal, so we will not say either.
Ask when it was built
Ask the delivery advisor when the car was built and where it has been since. It is a fair question. The VIN is on the touchscreen under Controls > Software, according to the manual, and the manual also lists the Vehicle Certification label on the door pillar. We found no Tesla page that says that label shows the build date, so ask rather than assume.
Tires: where time shows
Two statements in Tesla’s manual are about time.
Flat spots. The manual says that if the car is stationary for a long period, tires can form flat spots. When you drive, these cause a vibration that gradually disappears as the tires warm up and regain their original shape. If you feel a vibration at the start of your first drive that fades, this is what Tesla describes. If it does not fade, mention it to the advisor.
Tire age. The manual says tires degrade over time and recommends replacing them every six years, or sooner if required. It also explains the number stamped on the sidewall: it begins with DOT, and the last four digits are the week and year of manufacture. Read it on each tire and note it. It tells you how old the tires are, which is not necessarily the age of the car.
Check pressures, but cold
Tesla says to check tire pressure when the tires are cold, and it defines that as the car having been stationary for over three hours. A car that has just been driven to the delivery bay is not cold. If the pressures look low, ask the advisor to check them again.
What we did not find
We found no Tesla page that gives a limit for how long a new car can sit, or that talks about paint, the low-voltage battery or other parts after a long wait. We are not saying they are fine or not fine, only that we have no official statement. If any of these worries you, ask the advisor and ask for the answer in writing.
A short list for the day
Our suggestion, not Tesla’s:
- Ask the build date and where the car has been.
- Note the date code on each tire.
- Look at the paint and panels under good light, and photograph anything you are not sure about.
- Drive a short distance and notice any vibration at first, and whether it fades.
- If something is off, ask the advisor to record it before you accept the car.
Why a calm look is hard at the center
You are excited, there may be a person waiting, and the list above has many small parts. This is where a checklist helps.
TSL Check is the iPhone app we make for that moment. Its delivery checklist takes you around the car area by area, with a photo and a note on any item and the severity of what you find (how it works). Your photos and notes stay on your iPhone, and you can open the app before the day and choose your model.
To prepare the rest of the day, see what comes with a new Tesla, and, if you are still waiting for your date, why it keeps changing. If a car arrives and you are unsure about something, what to do when something looks off covers the steps.
Whatever you find, ask the delivery advisor to record it before you sign. What you can do next depends on your contract and local consumer law, so read your order paperwork beforehand.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Tesla built months ago a problem?
The Tesla pages we read do not say so, and they do not give a limit for how long a new car can wait before delivery. We cannot tell you it is fine or not fine. What you can do is check the items below and ask the delivery advisor when the car was built.
What does Tesla say about tires on a car that has been stationary?
Tesla's Model Y Owner's Manual says that if the car is stationary for a long period, tires can form flat spots. When the car is driven, these cause a vibration that gradually disappears as the tires warm up and regain their original shape.
How do I find out how old the tires are?
Tesla's manual explains the tire identification number on the sidewall, which begins with DOT. The last 4 digits are the week and year of manufacture. For example, 1712 means the 17th week of 2012.
Do tires expire?
Tesla's manual says tires degrade over time because of ultraviolet light, extreme temperatures, high loads and environmental conditions, and recommends replacing them every six years, or sooner if required, even if tread depth is above the minimum.
How do I check the tire pressure properly?
Tesla's manual says to check pressures when the tires are cold, and defines that as the car having been stationary for over three hours. It also says each tire should be checked monthly when cold.
