2012 Tesla Model S Servicing: When, Where, How Much

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Contributing Writer BIO

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield is a self-confessed petrol head. She grew up in a carless family but was able at a very early age to name cars passing her on... More

LATEST ARTICLE
Volvo S60 KERS Hybrid Prototype: Brief First Drive
Can you really improve fuel economy and performance just by taking a production car with a... Read More

• #13LEADERBOARD RANK
• 1409ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
• 22COMMENTS POSTED

4,013 views Sep 11, 2012

Follow Nikki

Add to circle

2012 Tesla Model S

Enlarge Photo

We all known the 2012 Tesla Model S Signature Series Sedan commands a premium price tag of nearly $100,000.  

But what about service costs? How much does it cost to keep Tesla’s flagship sedan in top form?  And just where does that servicing take place?

In the latest Tesla Motors blog post, Joost de Vries, president of global service at Tesla, explains all. 

$600 a year or 12,500 miles

Although Tesla is keen to point out that the 2012 Model S is a low-maintenance vehicle, it sets a 12,500-mile, or 1-year service schedule, whichever is soonest. 

While there are no spark plugs, oil filters or exhaust systems to check however, de Vries quotes the annual service as costing $600, per year,  including all wear and tear parts, excluding tires. 

As part of the service, Tesla technicians will check the car from top to bottom, replacing every worn part except tires for free. 

Six 2012 Tesla Model S cars at

Enlarge Photo

$1,900 for four years

Keen to entice its customers back year after year, Tesla also offers a pre-paid four-year service plan for $1,900. 

Payable 30 days after a customer’s Model S Sedan is delivered, it covers all servicing costs and annual inspections, excluding tires, for a period of four years or 50,000 miles, whichever is soonest.

Service centers

Unlike traditional automotive dealers, where service facilities are normally tied to an existing showroom, Tesla says it will open dedicated service centers within 50 miles of 80 percent of current Model S reservation holders. 

Focusing on service only, rather than sales and service, Tesla promises its service centers will be spotlessly clean and pleasant to visit. 

Rangers extra

In order to keep servicing costs and overheads low, Tesla used to offer a mobile Ranger Service free of charge to Tesla customers. 

Instead of visiting a Tesla dealership with their car, customers could opt for a visit from a mobile Ranger technician, who would work on their car wherever was most convenient. 

While Tesla intends to keep its Ranger Service, de Vries says the company will now levy a $100 flat fee for customers opting to have Ranger Service instead of driving to the nearest Tesla service center. 

Although Tesla says that 9 out of 10 of its 2012 Tesla Model S reservation holders will live within 100 miles of a service center by March 1, 2013, an additional four-year service plan, offering unlimited Ranger Service calls, is available for $2,400.

2012 Tesla Model S, brief test drive, New York City, July 2012

Enlarge Photo

Remote upgrades

Like some Ford cars, which can be upgraded to include the latest Ford software after purchase using a USB stick, Tesla says all of its Model S sedans can be remotely updated with the latest software and functionality without even visiting a service center. 

Using the built-in wireless modem found in each Model S, Tesla will notify customers using the car’s built-in 17-inch touchscreen display that an update is available. 

Customers can then opt to have that update applied immediately, or at a later time, when they know the car will not be needed. 

+++++++++++

Follow GreenCarReports on Facebook and Twitter.