Tested: A 180,000-km Used Tesla Model 3 Bought for 100,000 RMB vs. a Brand-New One — The Range Results Are Surprisingly Impressive

Fast Technology reported on February 8 that a big question is catching many buyers’ attention: is it really worth spending 100,000 RMB on a used Tesla?

Recently, Dongchedi conducted a comparative review involving three used vehicles purchased for around 100,000 RMB and the 2025 refreshed Tesla Model 3, and the results were genuinely eye-opening.

Across the test, the team evaluated four Model 3s side by side, focusing on key real-world factors such as body sealing, driving range, 0–100 km/h acceleration, charging performance, and in-car system smoothness.

The conclusion: while the used Teslas did show drawbacks—such as less stable charging performance and reduced sealing—the overall experience in everyday use was not dramatically different from the brand-new model.

Most notably, a used Model 3 with 176,000 km still delivered a range retention rate above 80%, which wasn’t far behind the 88% performance recorded by the 2025 new model.

That said, the used cars did reveal some clear pain points. High mileage had a more obvious impact on sealing quality and cabin sound insulation, making these areas more noticeable compared with the new car.

According to engineers involved in the assessment, the main cause is tied to the Model 3’s frameless doors. With frequent door opening and closing over time, the rubber seals are more prone to aging and wear—and importantly, the decline in sealing performance was not mainly driven by cold northern climates, but more by long-term mechanical use.