2022 Tesla Model S inspection checklist

Light NHTSA footprint on the 2022 Tesla Model S — either a clean record or thin data. Run through the test drive checklist anyway; a 30-minute walkaround catches problems specs alone won't.

1 Paperwork — before you sign

The seller's transparency on these tells you what kind of seller you're dealing with.

Title in seller's name (not "open title" or "signed by previous owner")
Service records — at least the last 24 months
VIN on the dash matches the door jamb sticker and the title
Run a paid vehicle history report (Carfax or AutoCheck) — accident, salvage, odometer rollback
Confirm any open recalls have been completed (NHTSA VIN lookup)
If financing, get the rate in writing before you set foot on the lot

Inspection items derived from 136 owner complaints and 20 active recall campaigns filed with NHTSA on the 2022 Tesla Model S. Category-specific guidance is written by ProblemsByVin contributors with ASE-certified mechanic review. This checklist is meant to surface known patterns — it doesn't replace a paid pre-purchase inspection by a qualified shop, which we recommend for any used vehicle priced over a few thousand dollars.