The Tesla Cybertruck was supposed to be the truck that broke every rule. In one way, it has, and not in a good way. Early data shows the Tesla Cybertruck depreciation rate is far steeper and more chaotic than what we typically see with full‑size pickups, including other electric trucks.
A brand‑new model with real‑world data
Why the Tesla Cybertruck’s depreciation rate matters
If you’re eyeing a Cybertruck, especially as a daily driver or work truck, depreciation isn’t just an abstract number. It affects your total cost of ownership, your insurance decisions, and how painful it will feel when you eventually trade it in or sell it. Trucks are usually value champs; many gas pickups still hold 60% or more of their value after two years. With the Cybertruck, early owners have learned the hard way that things can look very different.
Early Cybertruck value snapshot
What “depreciation rate” really means for a Cybertruck
Depreciation is the difference between what you paid and what the truck is worth later. For a Cybertruck, that means tracking the gap between original purchase price (or MSRP) and today’s trade‑in, auction, or private‑party value. Because Tesla keeps tweaking Cybertruck pricing, and because early buyers often paid markups, looking only at MSRP can be misleading. You need to look at what cash actually changed hands.
- If you paid $100,000 for an AWD Foundation Series and it’s worth $65,000 a year later, that’s a 35% depreciation hit.
- If you bought at a big early markup, say $140,000, and sell for $70,000, you’ve effectively lost 50% of what you paid.
- If you order a discounted Cybertruck today and stack any available incentives, your percentage depreciation could look very different from those early flippers.
Beware of hype‑driven “losses”
Early Tesla Cybertruck depreciation numbers
Because the Cybertruck is still new, every data point has an asterisk. But we can already see three distinct layers: official residual forecasts, real‑world dealer and auction results, and Tesla’s own trade‑in offers.
What early Cybertruck depreciation looks like
These figures combine published forecasts with reported trade‑ins and auction results. Think of them as ranges, not guarantees.
| Scenario | Truck & trim | Time in service | Approx. loss | Approx. resale value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forecast model | 2024 Cybertruck (generic) | 3 years | 12% | About $71,600 from an original value near $82,000 |
| Tesla trade‑in example | 2024 AWD Foundation Series | ~1 year / 6,000 miles | ~35% | Offer around mid‑$60,000s from a $100,000 sale price |
| Owner report | High‑spec Cyberbeast | ~8 months | ~38% | Trade‑in quote in high‑$70,000s after ~$127,000 purchase |
| Auction resale | Foundation Series flipped twice | <18 months / ~5,200 miles | ~50% vs. peak auction price | Second sale around $70,000 after a $146,500 peak bid |
Depreciation percentages are approximate and depend heavily on what the first owner actually paid.
The brutal reality for early adopters
Cybertruck vs other electric and gas trucks
Step back from the drama, and the Cybertruck actually looks competitive on paper. One multi‑truck analysis of electric pickups projects the Cybertruck keeping about 63.6% of its value after three years and roughly 53.9% after five years, slightly better than some rivals and in line with strong performers in the EV world.
How the Cybertruck stacks up on projected value retention
Forecasted 3‑ and 5‑year value retention for major electric pickups
Tesla Cybertruck
- 3‑year retention: ~63.6%
- 5‑year retention: ~53.9%
- Best projected long‑term value among current electric pickups in one major analysis.
Rivian R1T
- 3‑year retention: ~62.4%
- 5‑year retention: ~42.4%
- Strong early loyalty, but heavy price cuts and rapid tech change weigh on forecasts.
Ford F‑150 Lightning
- 3‑year retention: ~51.8%
- 5‑year retention: ~44.3%
- Closer to the average EV truck depreciation curve.
Typical gas full‑size pickup
- 2‑year retention: often above 60%
- 5‑year retention: frequently in the high‑40s to low‑50s
- Historically more predictable and slower to fall than comparable EVs.
Forecasts vs. the messy real world
Why Cybertruck resale values are all over the map
No other truck arrives with this mix of hype, controversy, and production drama. That cocktail is exactly why Cybertruck depreciation has been so violent out of the gate.
Key forces driving Cybertruck depreciation
1. Whiplash pricing from Tesla
Tesla has cut and reshuffled Cybertruck pricing multiple times, dropping the high‑end Cyberbeast, swapping trims, and now launching a cheaper AWD version under $60,000. When new‑truck prices fall, used values typically follow.
2. Early markups and speculative flips
Foundation Series trucks that sold at auction for $140,000‑plus were never going to hold those numbers. As soon as more trucks hit the road, speculative premiums evaporated, leaving some first owners tens of thousands of dollars underwater.
3. Confusing incentives
Federal EV tax credits and periodic discounts make a new Cybertruck more attractive. If you can buy a new AWD truck for roughly what a used one costs, after credits, used prices must adjust downward to compete.
4. EV‑specific headwinds
EVs as a category are depreciating faster than they did just a few years ago. Rapid tech improvements, shifting demand, and uncertainty about long‑term battery costs make buyers more hesitant to pay top dollar for last year’s truck.
5. Polarizing design and PR
The Cybertruck is as much a rolling opinion piece as a vehicle. That polarizing presence, combined with high‑profile recalls and quality complaints, has cooled demand from mainstream buyers, and soft demand always shows up in resale values.
What volatility means for you
Five‑year outlook for Tesla Cybertruck depreciation
Forecasts can’t see around every corner, but we can sketch a reasonable path for the Cybertruck if Tesla keeps building it and the electric truck market matures.
Years 0–3: The hangover phase
- Resale values are still digesting early markups, quality concerns, and pricing shuffles.
- Trade‑in offers can be harsh, especially on ultra‑high‑priced early builds.
- Buyers are comparing Cybertruck against a growing field of electric and plug‑in trucks.
Years 4–5: Settling into a “normal” curve
- Market shifts from hype to practicality, towing, range, and durability matter most.
- If Tesla stabilizes pricing and quality, depreciation could resemble other high‑end EV trucks.
- Battery health becomes a major driver of price differences between individual trucks.
Where the Cybertruck could shine long‑term
If you’re buying a new Cybertruck today
Tesla’s recent price cuts and the arrival of a cheaper AWD Cybertruck change the math for new buyers. You’re no longer paying collector‑level money for a novelty; you’re much closer to paying market‑correct money for a very unusual work truck.
- Run the numbers on total cost of ownership, not just the payment. Factor in likely depreciation of 35–50% over the first five years, plus insurance, charging costs, and maintenance.
- Avoid over‑optioning unless you truly value the extras. Highly optioned trucks fall hardest in percentage terms.
- Plan to hold the truck at least 5–7 years. The shorter your ownership window, the more that steep early depreciation stings.
- If you’re counting on equity for your next vehicle, be conservative. Assume your Cybertruck will behave more like an EV than a traditional gas pickup on resale.
Don’t mistake a discount for guaranteed value
If you’re shopping for a used Cybertruck
Used Cybertruck pricing has swung wildly, sometimes thousands of dollars in a single month, as sellers chase Tesla’s latest price moves and incentives. That chaos creates risk, but it also creates opportunity if you shop carefully.
Smart strategies for buying a used Cybertruck
How to protect yourself from ugly depreciation while taking advantage of today’s softness
Hunt below new‑truck pricing
Start by pricing a new Cybertruck with any eligible incentives. Then target used listings that are meaningfully cheaper, especially once you adjust for options and mileage.
Dig into ownership history
Ask how the truck was used and why it’s being sold so soon. Early build quality issues, accident history, and hard use can all accelerate depreciation.
Make battery health non‑negotiable
Long‑term value on any EV hinges on the pack. A truck with verified, healthy battery capacity will always be easier to resell than one with unknown or declining range.
Consider a used EV specialist
Battery health, depreciation, and how Recharged can help
Underneath all the drama about stainless steel and angular styling, the Cybertruck is still an electric vehicle, and that means battery health is destiny for long‑term value. Two identical‑looking trucks can have very different remaining range and, therefore, very different resale value curves.
Why the battery matters so much
- Range loss shows up directly in used pricing once trucks are 4–6 years old.
- High‑mileage or frequently fast‑charged Cybertrucks may see faster degradation.
- Pack replacement is expensive; buyers pay more for proof they won’t face that bill soon.
How Recharged tackles depreciation risk
- Every EV we list includes a Recharged Score Report with verified battery health.
- We benchmark pricing against the wider EV and truck market, not just hype‑driven comps.
- Our EV specialists walk you through expected depreciation and total ownership costs so you buy with eyes open.
Turn depreciation into a buying advantage
Tesla Cybertruck depreciation FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Cybertruck depreciation
Bottom line: Is the Cybertruck’s depreciation a deal‑breaker?
The Tesla Cybertruck has already written itself into depreciation folklore. Early buyers who chased the first trucks at any cost have taken staggering hits, and the used market is still digesting that hangover. But that doesn’t mean every Cybertruck is destined to be a financial disaster. If you buy smart, at a realistic price, with a long ownership horizon and clear eyes about EV resale, you can treat the Cybertruck’s depreciation rate as a known cost of admission, not a nasty surprise.
Whether you ultimately land on a Cybertruck or a more conventional used EV truck, you don’t have to navigate this on your own. Recharged was built to make EV ownership simple and transparent, from verified battery diagnostics and fair pricing to expert guidance on financing, trade‑ins, and nationwide delivery. When you’re ready to run the numbers on your next electric truck, we’re ready to help you see the full picture.
