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Tesla Depreciation Calculator: Value by Year and Loan Equity

See your Tesla's estimated value for each of the next seven years. Add your loan to find out when — or whether — you'd owe more than the car is worth.

Tesla Depreciation Calculator
See what your Tesla is likely worth each year — and, if you have a loan, whether you'd owe more than it's worth.
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Value after 3 years

$29,669

Value after 5 years

$20,950

YearValueLostLoan owedEquity
1$42,016$7,984$38,661$3,355
2$35,307$14,693$31,897$3,409
3$29,669$20,331$24,681$4,988
4$24,931$25,069$16,981$7,950
5$20,950$29,050$8,766$12,184
6$17,605$32,395$0$17,605
7$14,793$35,207$0$14,793

On these numbers your loan stays below the car's value, so gap insurance matters less.

Based on 5-year resale averages by model (iSeeCars, 2026), adjusted for mileage. New-car price cuts can push used values down faster than this.

How fast Teslas depreciate

According to iSeeCars' 2026 analysis of 5-year resale values:

  • Model 3: keeps about 45.5% of its price after 5 years — the slowest-depreciating EV on the market.
  • Cybertruck: about 43.2%.
  • Model Y: about 41.9%.
  • Model S: about 35% — the luxury models lose value fastest.

New-car price cuts hit used values hard, because a cheaper new Tesla resets what buyers will pay for a used one. The end of the federal EV tax credit in September 2025 changed the math again.

Why the loan matters

With a small down payment and a long loan, the balance can stay above the car's value for the first couple of years. If the car is totaled or stolen during that time, insurance pays the car's value — not what you owe. Gap insurance covers that difference.

Frequently asked questions

Do Teslas hold their value?

The Model 3 holds its value better than any other EV, keeping about 45% after 5 years. The Model Y keeps about 42%, and the Model S and Model X lose value faster.

How much does a Tesla depreciate in the first year?

Typically 15–20% in the first year, though it varies with Tesla's new-car pricing. Price cuts on new cars can push used values down faster.

Do I need gap insurance on a Tesla?

If you put less than about 20% down or have a loan longer than 60 months, you'll likely owe more than the car is worth for a while, and gap insurance is worth considering.

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