Two friends have bought Teslas. One is a 4 year old Model 3
Low mileage good price for a dual motor - he picked me up for a post Christmas brew. Bit of a revelation to be fair, conmfy seats and ambience and seemed to be a really nice interior. He's as pleased as punch having moved on from a Corsa EV....China built
Second friend has a new 2026 Model Y - single motor, pan roof and all the toys...struck me that the model 3 was a little nicer inside to be honest. This one is German built. Both cars as smooth as chocolate frogs....
Been punting around Auto Trader and low mileage used ones seem very good value for money. No intention to change as the cars are parked too far away from the house and installing a charger whilst we're for sale would be siliy.
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I've been a passenger or driven a few EV's but I've never even sat in a Tesla, glanced in a couple and always thought they looked a bit bland if I'm honest, not keen on the exterior styling either.
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For efficiency and ease of public charging, they’re hard to beat.
I’ve driven both - the M3 I felt a little exposed in it, but doubtless you’d get used to it. The windscreen scuttle is very low, following a low bonnet line, and gave me a ‘sitting in a goldfish bowl’ feeling.
In the MY I couldn’t sit low enough. The front seats are set on a raised plinth to guarantee rear seat passengers some foot room. I just felt I was sitting on it, rather than in it.
You quickly adapt to the somewhat quirky driver/car interfaces, it’d feel second nature after a day or two.
Batteries seem to be holding up very nicely, and they’re a good used buy.
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A good friend has had a 2021 Model 3 from new and has had zero problems in that time. We had a boys drive down from Yorkshire to the British Motor Museum in Gaydon where I was put on the insurance for the day and to be honest I was impressed. Really nice to drive, although my wife would hate it as everything is touch screen or voice operated. The charging was really joined up with the Tesla super charger network - we had one stop overall for the day out in Rugby. I drove in and he said ok put it in charge and off we go - I lifted the charge cable, approached the car , flap opened , plugged in and off we went for a comfort break/ coffee.
If I was driving up and down the country as I did earlier in my career I'd have one as a company car tomorrow.
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I’m on my second Model 3. First was a late 2020, US built, single motor. New one is also single motor, late 2024 and Chinese built. They’ve come a long way with the newer version. My old one rattled and creaked over all roads. The new one is worlds apart in terms of build quality and handling. Lovely to drive and the tech (if you’re happy with it being through one screen) is ace.
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Has it got an indicator stalk?
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One of our managers at work has a facelift M3 as his company car (the BiK rules make an EV a no-brainer as a company car of course). He's had it a year now and has got used to it. Apart from the indicators, which are just pure Musk - i.e. bonkers. Mind you, before that he had a BMW 330e hybrid, so the use of indicators has long been optional!
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My friend's Y Model has one.
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>> Has it got an indicator stalk?
No idea, but I heard most other motorists just give Tesla drivers hand gestures similar to Gareth Hunt's coffee bean advert.
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>> Has it got an indicator stalk?
>>
Mine hasn’t, no. They have put the indicator back on models since October 2025. The majority of the time the lack of stalk doesn’t bother me. The minority, when I want to flash my headlights (in line with the Highway Code, obviously), it can be tricky to find the button. Also roundabouts can be an issue if I haven’t placed my finger on the button before negotiating. I could get a stalk retrofitted by Tesla, but at £600 I’ll pass thanks.
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Daughter has just bought a new model Y dual motor for long term ownership. My nieces (9 & 11) approve because the seats have a whoopee cushion feature.
I don't think I would like the absence of knobs and switches, I don't find touch screens easy to use, partly because of the need to look at them. I had to be shown how to open the door from inside, and the outside handles are horrible to use.
I can admire it but I don't think I'd like owning one.
The interior is black and very bare although that wouldn't bother me. It has a huge boot, and a front boot, to boot.
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Tesla have nailed on the electric drive train implementation, the battery and power management, and have done more for charging stations than any other. The longevity of their power packs is now proven. Its the standard to reach, and in fairness thier techical support and servicing makes the chinese makers look blundering amateurs.
Do not like the minalist interiors, and hate the implementation of all controls on that centre screen. And silly as it may sound, Elon Musk is a major reason why I would not have one, it would gaul and disgust me to support the fella with my money.
Last edited by: Zero on Wed 21 Jan 26 at 15:46
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>> Tesla have nailed on the electric drive train implementation, the battery and power management, and have done more for charging stations than any other. The longevity of their power packs is now proven. >>
When management discovers that the longevity of those power packs (or any other major component) may suggest they are over-engineered, should we expect lowering of standards ?
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>> When management discovers that the longevity of those power packs (or any other major component)
>> may suggest they are over-engineered, should we expect lowering of standards ?
Dont think so, it indicates more than anything that the physics of the technology is well understood and electrically/electonically well implemented. The rest of the mechanicals of a tesla, inc the drive motors is just as good/worse than any auto maker.
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Actually I think that the longevity of all EV batteries is no longer an issue. All makes seeem to be capable of very high mileages
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>> Actually I think that the longevity of all EV batteries is no longer an issue.
>> All makes seeem to be capable of very high mileages
Hyundai seems to be having a v high failure rate with power packs made in the new US factory.
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Four year old Hyundai Kona on Autotrader with 156000 miles on the clock.
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>> Four year old Hyundai Kona on Autotrader with 156000 miles on the clock.
Note weeny tiny little word in my post
"New"
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>> Hyundai seems to be having a v high failure rate with power packs made in
>> the new US factory.
>>
When did those packs start coming into the UK in cars? Just out of interest, in case I'm browsing for a used Hyundai EV sometime. Does it apply to KIA too?
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>> US made cars only so far
>>
Thank but you said "new", so I was asking if this applied to cars manufactured in the US from a particular date onwards? Or is it all US made Hyundai EVs since they began?
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Its a new USA factory, for USA made cars mostly for the US market, and its cone to light in the last 3 months
Last edited by: Zero on Fri 23 Jan 26 at 15:24
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>> Its a new USA factory, for USA made cars mostly for the US market, and
>> its cone to light in the last 3 months
>>
I've tried Googling for this but can't find anything to this effect. Can you post a link please.
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"Its on youtube"
Where?
A link would be nice
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See my post of 15:38, all the channels to search are on there
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I have. I’m beginning to think it might not exist. Happy to be proved wrong.
Last edited by: CGNorwich on Fri 23 Jan 26 at 20:56
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YouTube videos highlight significant 12V and main battery issues, particularly with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, and Ioniq 5N. Common problems include rapid 12V battery failure causing stranding, faulty Integrated Charge Control Units (ICCU), and sometimes long, expensive repairs due to backordered parts.
Common Hyundai Battery Issues (YouTube Findings)
12V Battery Failure: Many users report their Ioniq 5 12V battery dies within 2-3 years, often caused by the car not properly maintaining the 12V charge, leading to a dead, unstartable vehicle.
ICCU Failures: The Integrated Charge Control Unit (ICCU), which manages the charging of both the main battery and the 12V battery, has been identified as a frequent failure point.
Main Battery Failures: Rare but severe main battery failures have been documented, sometimes with long service waits or high repair costs.
Symptoms: Signs of failure often include a red warning light, the car refusing to charge, and strange, erratic behavior of the dashboard lights.
Diagnostic Challenges: It can be hard to identify the root cause immediately; sometimes, aftermarket accessories like OBD dongles are blamed, but they are often not the primary cause.
Key YouTube Channels and Content
The Ioniq Guy: Provides detailed, real-world experiences with Ioniq 5/6, focusing on 12V failures and software updates (e.g., this video and this video).
The Electric Viking: Covers broader Hyundai EV news, including reports on long repair times (e.g., this video).
Other Content Creators: Various channels, such as this video, document individual experiences, including the Ioniq 5N, and offer DIY advice, like in this video.
For the most up-to-date information, searching for "Ioniq 5 12V battery" or "Hyundai ICCU recall" on YouTube will provide the latest community reports.
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As regards Musk, that would be a stumbling block for me buying a new one, I will certainly consider an used one,
I follow Johnny Smith on You Tube
Well worth watching the below in the context of buying a 270k miler Tesla....with free fuel
www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1aI7EfSnmE&t=44s
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Having not been out much due to the diabities and an unlinked foot injury in an awkward spot for the last month or so, my friend with the Tesla 3 picked me up for a brew in a localish caff...when we finished he suggested a trip to Anglesey(aroind 45 miles or so) - so off we went, the A55 was a smooth quiet drive - although I have to say the Audi is just as quiet !, back roads on the island were great. By the time to come home his car needed charging, so off to the Tesla Charging station just off the A55, 15 minutes saw the car suffiently charged to give a decent run home at motorway speeds, no complaints from me........
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Tesla - It had to happen ! - Paul 1963
