You’re scrolling through listings, you see a 2016 Tesla for sale at a price that would have been unthinkable a few years ago, and you start to wonder: is this the EV steal of the decade or a nine‑year‑old science experiment with a six‑figure original MSRP? Let’s pull the veneer off the brushed aluminum and talk about what these cars are really like to live with in 2025.
Quick Take
A 2016 Tesla Model S or Model X can deliver flagship‑car performance for midsize‑sedan money. The tradeoff is age: battery wear, out‑of‑warranty repairs, and first‑generation quirks. If you buy blind, you’re gambling. If you buy with hard data on battery health and history, you can come out way ahead.
Why a 2016 Tesla Is on Your Radar Now
There are three reasons you’re suddenly seeing so many 2016 Teslas on the used market: age, price, and churn. These were expensive cars when new, $70,000–$130,000 luxury EVs. Now, after almost a decade of depreciation and a recent dip in used Tesla values, they’re crossing into Camry‑money territory. At the same time, early adopters are cycling out of older Teslas into newer models, or into other brands entirely, pushing more supply into the used market.
2016 Tesla Used Market Snapshot (Late 2025, U.S.)
Reality Check on “Cheap” Teslas
Purchase price is just the cover charge. On a 2016 Tesla, one big repair, air suspension, MCU, drive unit, can instantly erase the savings of buying older. Go in with eyes wide open and a verified battery and systems report.
Which 2016 Tesla Can You Actually Buy?
Despite what some listings imply, there was no 2016 Model 3 on sale to the public. In 2016, your choices were the Model S (midsize luxury liftback) and the Model X (three‑row SUV with the infamous falcon‑wing doors). The Model 3 prototypes were just starting to roll; customer cars didn’t arrive until 2017.
2016 Tesla Lineup at a Glance
What you’ll see when you search “2016 Tesla for sale”
2016 Tesla Model S
The classic long‑roof sedan. Quiet, quick, and still looks current parked next to 2025 metal.
- Body style: 5‑door liftback sedan
- Typical range when new: ~210–315 miles depending on battery
- Best for: Commuters, long‑distance drivers, people who value range and efficiency over seating a soccer team.
2016 Tesla Model X
Tesla’s big family shuttle with theater‑grade doors and SUV ride height.
- Body style: 3‑row crossover SUV
- Typical range when new: ~230–257 miles
- Best for: Families, road‑trip warriors, anyone who insists their EV must be an SUV.
2016 Tesla Prices: What Cars Really Sell For
Scroll any marketplace today and you’ll see 2016 Model S and X listings scattered from the mid‑teens to high‑twenties. That’s a far cry from their original sticker prices, which topped six figures in Performance trims. The trick is understanding where your money actually goes across trims and miles.
Typical U.S. Asking Prices for 2016 Teslas (Late 2025)
High‑level view only, real prices vary by miles, options, condition, and region.
| Model & Trim | Original Price New (Approx.) | Typical Asking Today | What That Usually Buys You |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model S 70 / 75 | $70k–$76k | $16k–$22k | Rear‑ or dual‑motor, ~75 kWh pack, 70k–110k miles. |
| Model S 85 / 90 | $85k–$95k | $18k–$24k | More range, often better‑equipped, similar or slightly lower miles. |
| Model S Performance (P90D / P100D) | $110k–$135k+ | $22k–$28k+ | Brutally quick, often low‑80k miles, higher tire/suspension wear. |
| Model X 75D | $85k–$95k | $19k–$23k | Entry SUV, ~75 kWh, usually 80k–120k miles. |
| Model X 90D / P90D | $100k–$130k+ | $22k–$27k+ | More range and power, plus the cost of complex hardware. |
Expect clean‑title, average‑mileage cars to cluster around these bands.
How to Read a Tempting Price
If a 2016 Tesla is priced thousands below comparable cars, ask why. It might be high miles, prior accidents, missing options, or a lurking battery or drivetrain issue. Cheap and good rarely travel together without a story.
Battery Health on a 2016 Tesla: Hero or Time Bomb?
The battery is the beating heart of any EV, and on a 2016 Tesla it has had nearly a decade to live, learn, and lose a few steps. The good news: Tesla’s big packs generally age gracefully compared with early‑generation EVs. The bad news: you can’t see degradation by eyeballing the car, and range loss is only half the story. Fast‑charge behavior, cell balancing, and thermal history matter just as much.
Why 2016 Tesla Packs Age Well (Often)
- Large buffers: Higher original capacity means a 10–15% loss still leaves usable range for most commutes.
- Active thermal management: Liquid‑cooled packs handle heat better than air‑cooled early EVs.
- OTA updates: Tesla can tweak charging profiles over time to protect the pack.
Where Things Go Wrong
- DC fast‑charge abuse: Years of frequent Supercharging can accelerate wear.
- Hot or cold climates: Extreme temperatures punish batteries and seals.
- Out‑of‑warranty repairs: Pack‑level issues can cost five figures if you pay retail.
Why a Battery Health Report Matters
On a 2016 Tesla, you want more than “seems fine.” A proper diagnostic pulls data on usable capacity, imbalance between modules, fast‑charge history, and error codes. That’s the core of the Recharged Score Report on every vehicle, so you’re not buying a mystery box with a touchscreen.
Battery Checks Before You Commit
1. Compare Rated vs. Real Range
Look at what the car reports at 100% charge versus what the trim delivered when new. A bit of loss is normal; a big gap demands questions.
2. Review Fast‑Charging History
Excessive DC fast‑charging over many years can stress the pack. A diagnostic pull or Recharged Score can surface this.
3. Look for Charge Limit Habits
Previous owners who charged daily to 100% instead of ~80–90% may have accelerated degradation.
4. Scan for Battery‑Related Error Codes
Soft warnings that were ignored are still logged. You want to know about them before they become hard failures.
Autopilot, Tech & Software: What You’re Really Getting
A lot of 2016 Tesla listings read like Silicon Valley résumés: Autopilot, premium sound, internet, Summon, maybe even Full Self‑Driving (FSD) “capability.” Underneath the buzzwords is a 2016‑vintage hardware stack trying its best to keep up with 2025 software.
2016 Tesla Tech Stack in Plain English
What the badges won’t tell you in the listing
Autopilot Hardware 1.0 / 2.0 Era
Many 2016 cars have early Autopilot hardware. It can do lane‑keeping and adaptive cruise on highways, but it’s not magic.
Think: helpful assistant, not robot chauffeur.
Connectivity & OTA Updates
Most 2016 Teslas still receive software updates, but not every new feature makes it to older hardware.
Expect some modern UI touches, but not every bell and whistle you see on a 2025 Model Y.
“Full Self‑Driving” Reality Check
If a 2016 car is advertised with FSD, understand it’s a software option, not a guarantee of true self‑driving.
The system’s capability depends heavily on hardware vintage and Tesla’s changing roadmap.
Don’t Overpay for Badges
Listings sometimes price a 2016 car as if Autopilot or FSD turns it into a self‑driving taxi. It doesn’t. Value those options, but don’t let them distract you from core condition, battery health, and recall status.
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Common Issues: 2016 Model S vs. Model X
Both 2016 cars share Tesla’s strengths, linear acceleration, quiet cabins, slick software, and Tesla’s era‑specific flaws. The Model X in particular was launched with more ambition than build quality. The question isn’t whether there are issues; it’s which issues your particular car has already had fixed.
2016 Model S: What to Watch
- MCU (center screen) failures: Early memory chips could wear out, leading to black screens and replacements.
- Door handles: The motorized pop‑out handles can fail, especially on higher‑mile cars.
- Air suspension wear: Leaking bags or tired compressors can appear as the miles stack up.
- General squeaks/rattles: Not catastrophic, but common on older big EVs.
2016 Model X: The Drama Queen
- Falcon‑wing doors: Complex hinges and sensors; misalignment and sensor gremlins are not rare.
- Door seals & wind noise: Early builds, especially, can suffer from fit issues.
- Electronics & screens: Similar MCU concerns plus the added load of more powered hardware.
- First‑year jitters: 2016 was the launch year, and it shows in the number of recalls and reported issues.
Why the Model X Needs Extra Scrutiny
The 2016 Model X has more reported problems than any other Model X model year. That doesn’t make every example a lemon, but it does mean you should demand a very thorough inspection and a documented repair history before buying.
What to Inspect Before You Buy a 2016 Tesla
Buying a nine‑year‑old EV is like buying a used luxury watch: the difference between a bargain and a disaster lives in details you can’t see at a glance. Here’s where to spend your attention (and inspection dollars).
Essential 2016 Tesla Pre‑Purchase Checklist
1. Battery & Charging Diagnostics
Get a full battery health report, including usable capacity, module balance, and error codes. Verify AC and DC charging work properly at different speeds.
2. Drive Unit & Suspension Noise
On a test drive, listen for humming, grinding, or clunking from the front or rear under acceleration and over bumps. These cars should feel solid, not loose.
3. MCU & Electronics
Test the center screen, instrument cluster, cameras, and audio. Reboots, lag, or dead pixels may signal aging hardware that’s expensive to replace.
4. Doors, Seals & Glass (Especially on Model X)
Open and close every door, including falcon‑wing doors on the X. Check for binding, error messages, leaks, and wind noise at highway speeds.
5. Tires, Brakes & Alignment
Many 2016 Performance cars lead hard lives. Check tires for uneven wear and confirm the car tracks straight and brakes smoothly from highway speeds.
6. Recalls & Service History
Run the VIN through recall databases and ask for service records. You want evidence of issues fixed, not just issues waiting their turn.
How Recharged Handles Inspections
Every vehicle listed on Recharged comes with a Recharged Score Report: verified battery health, charging behavior, and a deep‑dive inspection from EV specialists, not generic used‑car criteria. You see the data we see before you commit.
Financing & Total Cost of Ownership on a 9‑Year‑Old Tesla
One of the better plot twists in the EV story is that as sticker prices drop, banks and credit unions have gotten more comfortable financing older EVs. A 2016 Tesla often qualifies for used‑car financing, though terms may be shorter and rates a hair higher than for a three‑year‑old crossover.
Costs Working in Your Favor
- Fuel savings: Even with today’s electricity rates, home charging usually undercuts gasoline by a wide margin.
- No oil changes: Fewer traditional wear items than a gas SUV, no exhaust, no spark plugs, no oil.
- Depreciation curve flattened: The massive early‑years drop is already baked in; the car’s value is now sliding, not cliff‑diving.
Costs You Need to Budget For
- Out‑of‑warranty repairs: Almost every 2016 is long past factory coverage. Big components are expensive at retail.
- Tires & brakes: Heavy, powerful EVs eat tires, and earlier performance models often have pricey rubber.
- Charging setup: If you don’t already have a 240‑V outlet, add installation costs to your math.
Use Financing to Protect Your Cash, Not Hide the True Cost
A low monthly payment on a 2016 Tesla shouldn’t distract you from the possibility of a $2,000–$4,000 repair. When you finance through Recharged, our team can help you model conservative ownership costs so you’re not house‑poor and car‑surprised.
How Recharged De‑Risks Buying a Used Tesla
Shopping for a 2016 Tesla on generic listing sites can feel like reading personal ads written by unreliable narrators. Everybody says their car is “like new” and “always garaged.” At Recharged, the whole point is to replace myth with measurement.
What You Get When You Buy a 2016 Tesla Through Recharged
Less guesswork, more verified data
Recharged Score Battery Diagnostics
Every Tesla gets a quantified battery assessment: usable capacity, degradation estimate, and fast‑charge behavior.
You see the battery’s story before you buy.
Transparent Pricing & Market Data
We benchmark each car against fair‑market pricing, recent comps, and option content.
No mystery premiums for fancy badges or buzzwords.
EV‑Savvy Support & Delivery
From financing to trade‑in to nationwide delivery, our EV specialists walk you through the process end‑to‑end.
You can do it all digitally or visit our Experience Center in Richmond, VA.
Trade In or Sell Your Current Car
Already have a vehicle? Recharged can give you an instant offer or help you sell via consignment while you shop for the right 2016 Tesla. Reduce the friction, not just the emissions.
FAQ: 2016 Tesla for Sale
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying a 2016 Tesla
Bottom Line: Is a 2016 Tesla Still Worth It?
A 2016 Tesla for sale can be one of the sharpest value plays in the EV world, if you’re willing to be choosy and a bit unsentimental. These cars were over‑engineered, over‑powered, and over‑priced when new. Today, the right example delivers most of the Tesla experience for a fraction of the original cost. The wrong example is a syllabus in expensive lessons about air suspension, electronics, and human optimism.
If you’re shopping 2016 Model S or X, treat each listing less like a used car ad and more like a lab report: battery metrics, error codes, repair history, real‑world range. That’s the lens Recharged uses for every vehicle on the platform, backed by the Recharged Score, EV‑savvy support, financing options, and nationwide delivery. When you’re ready to move from browsing to buying, make sure the story your next Tesla tells is one you’ll actually enjoy driving.
