Insurance
$3,600/yr
Insurance, not maintenance, is this vehicle's dominant running cost: $3,600 a year on a national average against $680 for upkeep.
Tesla Model S Maintenance Cost (2016–2026)
Report ACI-TES-MODELS · Updated July 2026 · Figures are ACI model estimates
Maintenance Cost Report ACI-TES-MODELS
Tesla Model S
ev · luxury sedan · MY 2016–2026
- Avg annual cost
- $680
- 10-year total
- $6,795
- Cost rank
- #47 of 52 vehicles
- Major-repair chance, 5 yr
- 20%
Average Annual Cost $680
$57per month
5.7¢per mile
Assumes 12,000 mi/yr · independent shop · 10-year average · ACI model estimate
The Tesla Model S ranks #47 of 52 vehicles we track; budget accordingly.
What it costs as it ages
Annual cost by vehicle age · ACI modelVehicle age, years · figures at 12,000 mi/yr, independent shop
No oil changes or transmission service; spending concentrates in tires, cabin filters, and brake fluid.
Common services
Typical U.S. pricing · independent shop| Service | Typical cost | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Tire rotation | $70 | 6,250 mi |
| Cabin air filter | $80 | 24,000 mi |
| Brake fluid check/exchange | $130 | 48,000 mi |
| Tires (set of 4) | $1,500 | 35,000 mi |
| Wiper blades (pair) | $35 | 15,000 mi |
Your numbers
Table recalculates with the settings panel| Vehicle age | Annual cost | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Age 1 | $165 | $165 |
| Age 2 | $245 | $410 |
| Age 3 | $425 | $835 |
| Age 4 | $540 | $1,375 |
| Age 5 | $625 | $2,000 |
| 5-year total | $2,000 | $2,000 |
Ownership context
National averages · beyond the maintenance billCost rank
#47 of 52
The Tesla Model S ranks #47 of 52 vehicles we track; budget accordingly. One documented pattern: Touchscreen (MCU) failures on 2016–2018 cars, subject of a recall and extended coverage.
EV service profile
No oil, ever
No oil changes, spark plugs, or transmission service. Costs concentrate in tires — EV torque and weight wear them faster — plus cabin filters and periodic brake-fluid checks.
Against its rivals
Average annual maintenance · ACI model| Vehicle | Avg annual | 10-yr total | vs. Model S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model SThis page | $680 | $6,795 | — |
| Tesla Model 3 | $415 | $4,150 | −$265/yr |
| Tesla Model X | $740 | $7,400 | +$60/yr |
| BMW X5 | $760 | $7,600 | +$80/yr |
Questions people ask
Is the Tesla Model S expensive to maintain?
It runs above average. The Model S averages $680 a year in maintenance and typical repairs, ranking #47 of 52 vehicles on AutoCostIndex. That places it in the most expensive tier of vehicles we track; budget accordingly.
What does a Tesla Model S cost to maintain per year?
$680 a year averaged over the first ten years — about $57 a month. Year 1 runs roughly $165; by year 10 the annual figure reaches $1195. Ten-year total: $6,795.
What are the most common Model S services?
The routine items are tire rotation (~$70), cabin air filter (~$80), brake fluid check/exchange (~$130). Intervals and full pricing for every service are in the table on this page.
Does the Model S need oil changes?
No. The Model S has no engine oil, spark plugs, or transmission fluid to service. Scheduled care is limited to tire rotation, cabin filters, brake-fluid checks, and wiper blades — which is why its routine costs sit below comparable gas vehicles.
What's not included in this estimate?
Fuel or charging, insurance (about $3,600 a year nationally for this vehicle), collision damage, parking, tolls, taxes, and registration. The figure covers scheduled maintenance plus typical age-related repairs, modeled per our methodology.
Keep exploring
More Tesla models
Similar running costs
How we calculate this
Figures come from the ACI maintenance model: manufacturer service schedules priced at typical U.S. independent-shop rates, plus expected age-related repairs weighted by published reliability patterns. The calculator scales costs with mileage (wear factor) and shop choice. Figures are modeled estimates — your invoices will differ. Full detail on the methodology page.
SOURCES: ACI maintenance model v1 · manufacturer service schedules · 2026 U.S. parts & labor pricing · published reliability studies · Updated 2026-07-19