Best Years to Buy a Used Tesla Model X
The Tesla Model X is a popular used car choice, but certain model years have documented issues worth knowing about — including falcon wing door failure. Here's a breakdown of the best and worst years to buy.
Known Issues — Tesla Model X
- 2015–2020: Falcon wing door failure — sensors misaligning, doors won't close [High severity]
- 2016–2018: MCU eMMC memory chip failure — same as Model S [High severity]
Best Years to Buy
Based on documented issues, the cleanest years for the Tesla Model X are: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026. These model years avoid the most common documented failure points and represent the best value for used buyers.
Years to Avoid
Exercise extra caution with model years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 due to documented high-severity issues. If buying one of these years, have a pre-purchase inspection done and verify any known repairs have been completed.
- 2015–2020: Falcon wing door failure
- 2016–2018: MCU eMMC memory chip failure
What to Inspect Before Buying
- Run a VIN report (Carfax or AutoCheck) to check for accidents, title issues, and odometer rollbacks
- Ask specifically about Falcon wing door failure — verify it has been addressed
- Verify all open recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls using the VIN
- Have an independent mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection ($100–$200)
- Ask for service records — consistent maintenance history is the best reliability indicator
Check Repair Costs Before You Buy
See repair cost estimates, known issues, and a pre-purchase inspection checklist for any by model year.
Use RepairIQ Free →