2021 Tesla Model 3 Depreciation
A 5-year-old 2021 Tesla Model 3 has lost about 51.5% of its roughly $44,990 original value. In the 2026 source cohort, it typically listed for around $24,392, with most listings between $20,726 and $27,990. Listed examples average 68,233 miles.
2021 Tesla Model 3 Price by Mileage
What buyers actually pay at different odometer readings.
How Mileage Affects 2021 Tesla Model 3 Price
Each dot is a real listing — price plotted against odometer reading.
| Mileage | Median price | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30k mi | $29,849 | 21 |
| 30k–50k mi | $26,998 | 55 |
| 50k–75k mi | $25,365 | 84 |
| 75k–100k mi | $22,080 | 61 |
| 100k–130k mi | $19,246 | 31 |
| Over 130k mi | $15,965 | 8 |
What's a Good Price for a 2021 Tesla Model 3?
Great deal
Under $21,991
Typical
$21,991–$26,800
Overpriced
Above $26,800
Based on the middle 50% of listings — always adjust for mileage and condition.
Price Spread
Range across 260 listings.
Half of all listings fall between $21,991 and $26,800, with a median of $24,590.
Ownership & Condition
Across 260 2021 Tesla Model 3 listings.
Accident-free
91.7%
One-owner
66.7%
Avg owners
1.3
Personal use
66.7%
2021 Tesla Model 3 Efficiency & Specs
EPA fuel-economy and powertrain data.
Efficiency
130 MPGe
EPA range
353 mi
Energy / year
$600
Power
Electricity
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Depreciation by Trim
See how each 2021 Tesla Model 3 trim holds its value.
| Trim | Fuel | MSRP | Median Resale | Depreciation | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Range Plus | Electric | $44,990 | $23,546 | 49.9% | 108 |
| Long Range | Electric | $50,990 | $25,222 | 51.5% | 61 |
| Performance | Electric | $58,990 | $28,983 | 58.5% | 31 |
How the 2021 Tesla Model 3 Compares to Other Years
At 51.5% depreciation, the 2021 Tesla Model 3 sits among its neighbors on the depreciation curve. The one-year-newer 2022 has lost 53.3% (around $27,078), so stepping up a model year costs roughly $2,686 more. The older 2020 sits at 52.0% (around $23,526), so dropping back a year saves about $866. Buying one model year newer or older is one of the easiest ways to trade purchase price against age and remaining warranty.
Safety Ratings
NHTSA crash test ratings for the 2021 Tesla Model 3.
Known Issues & Complaints
644 NHTSA complaints, 21 recalls reported.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
208 complaintsI was driving my car on full self driving. I press the brake to stop full self driving the car immediately accelerated and caused a crash.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
108 complaintsThe forward-facing camera and Autopilot computer system on my 2021 Tesla Model 3 has failed. The dashboard first showed intermittent warnings that "Automatic Emergency Braking is currently unavailable" and "Adaptive headlight features are u
SERVICE BRAKES
70 complaintsI drove into my neighbor’s driveway to drop her off. As I slowed down and applied the brakes to stop, the car failed to respond. It continued forward, running over the flower and plant pots at the edge of the driveway, crossing the backyard
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
66 complaintsThe outside part of the glove box is coming off. It could prevent air bags from working properly. It seems like the O ring glue holding it together has failed. It is available for inspection upon request. The issue is well known and is docu
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
63 complaintsThis is my fourth high voltage battery failure on this vehicle. Battery replacements occurred at approximately 13,000 miles, 60,000 miles, 96,000 miles, and now at 121,000 miles. The first failure occurred at 13,000 miles on a nearly new ve
STEERING
24 complaintsAfter Tesla replaced my high voltage battery in May of 2024 all of the following started to happen. Prior to the replacement none of these issues were present. While driving under normal conditions, my 2021 Tesla suddenly and violently stee
Top Issues
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- SERVICE BRAKES
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Buyer Red Flags
- !Recall 22V037000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the
- !Recall 21V834000 (AIR BAGS): Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021, 2023 Model 3 vehicles. The left and/or right side curtain air bag may have been improperly secured to the roof rail, which could
- !Recall 21V835000 (SUSPENSION): Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to sepa
- !Recall 22V045000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle start
2021 Tesla Model 3 Listings
Real 2021 Model 3 listings on the market now.
$30,990
2021 Performance · Black
20,354 mi · St. Louis, MO
View listing →
$27,590
2021 Standard Range Plus · White
28,291 mi · San Antonio, TX
View listing →
$28,590
2021 Long Range · White
32,053 mi · Cleveland, OH
View listing →
$27,590
2021 Long Range · Gray
42,665 mi · Richmond, VA
View listing →
$28,990
2021 Performance · Gray
44,006 mi · Portland, OR
View listing →
$23,990
2021 Standard Range Plus · White
57,333 mi · Tampa, FL
View listing →
Live dealer listings, refreshed periodically. Prices and availability change.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a 2021 Tesla Model 3 worth?
A 2021 Tesla Model 3 is typically worth around $24,392, with most listings falling between $20,726 and $27,990. The single biggest swing factor is mileage — listed examples average about 68,233 miles, and each additional 10,000 miles shaves a few percent off the price. Condition, accident history, trim, and how many owners a car has had move the number from there. Treat the median as a fair starting point and adjust up for a clean, low-mileage, one-owner car or down for higher mileage and any reported damage.
How much has the 2021 Tesla Model 3 depreciated?
The 2021 Tesla Model 3 has lost about 51.5% of its original $44,990 base MSRP — roughly $23,170 in value, after adjusting listing prices to typical mileage for the age. Most of a car's lifetime depreciation happens in its earliest years, so a vehicle of this age has usually weathered the steepest part of the curve already. That's what makes a well-kept example at this age an efficient buy: you let the original owner absorb the fastest depreciation, then enjoy a much slower decline from here.
How many miles does a used 2021 Model 3 have?
Listed 2021 Model 3s average about 68,233 miles, with most between 38,617 and 99,817. As a rule of thumb, "average" mileage for any car is roughly 12,000 miles per year of age, so compare a specific listing against that benchmark. A below-average odometer commands a premium and an above-average one a discount, but a higher-mileage car with complete service records and one owner can be a better buy than a low-mileage car with gaps in its history. Consistent maintenance does more for a car's remaining lifespan than a low number on the odometer alone.
What is a good price for a 2021 Tesla Model 3?
For a 2021 Tesla Model 3, anything under $21,991 is a strong deal, $21,991 to $26,800 is the typical range where most cars trade, and above $26,800 is on the expensive side — those higher prices usually buy lower mileage, a certified warranty, or a premium trim. Always weigh the asking price against the car's specific mileage and condition rather than the sticker alone: a slightly higher price for a clean, one-owner, accident-free example is often money well spent. And treat a listing priced well below the range as a prompt to dig deeper — unusually cheap cars almost always have a reason, whether it's high mileage, accident history, or a branded title.
Methodology
Figures for the 2021 Tesla Model 3 are computed from 200 real used-car listings. Each asking price is normalized to a standard 12,000 miles per year for the car's age, adjusted by a 5% asking-to-sale estimate, and compared against the original base MSRP for that VIN's trim. Full methodology. Updated August 2026.