Tesla Model X running costs
The Tesla Model X is an expensive car for private buyers, but running costs are low and it's good value for business users
Insurance group | Warranty | Service intervals | Annual company-car tax cost (20%/40%) |
---|---|---|---|
50 | 4yrs/50,000 miles | 1yr/12,500 miles | From £412/£823 |
The Tesla Model X is an expensive car – that’s the long and short of it. Prices start at over £100,000, which is pricey for retail buyers, even by Range Rover standards. Monthly repayments aren’t cheap, either, and Tesla seldom offers interest-free finance.
Business users, however, might find the Tesla a more affordable proposition. For the lucky few whose company-car allowance will stretch to the Model X's lofty price, it’s well worth considering, if only for the huge saving you’ll make on company-car tax.
There's also free access to the London Congestion Charging zone until October 2025 and you’ll pay far less to 'fuel' it than a petrol or diesel car.
Tesla Model X insurance group
All versions of the Tesla Model X fall into the highest insurance group – as do many performance SUVs – and therefore will be expensive to insure. Make sure you get a quote before buying.
Warranty
The Tesla Model X is covered by a four year/50,000-mile warranty, which is supplied by AXA insurance rather than Tesla itself, and it can be extended up to eight years. The batteries are covered by an eight-year/unlimited-mileage warranty.
Servicing
A lot of electric cars have long service intervals, since there’s less to check, as their motors have far fewer moving parts than a diesel or petrol engine. However, Tesla recommends an inspection every 12,500 miles or 12 months; a routine interval for most combustion-engined cars.
Tesla also recommends that you connect the Model X to your home wi-fi in order to get the fastest download times for automatic software updates, which will see certain functions and systems in the car changing and improving overnight – just as your phone does when you update the operating system.
Road tax
Like all fully electric cars, the Model X is currently exempt from road tax (VED).