Inspections before you buy or travel
Thinking about a used Tesla? Planning a long drive? We put the car on a lift and go through it system by system. You get a digital inspection report when we finish.
Model S and X with the tall center screen (2012 to 2021)
- Service-mode check and any stored alerts
- Road test
- Body damage already present: dents, chips, cracks
- Charge port and a live charging test
- Lights, horn, wipers, tire pressures
- Brake fluid and coolant condition
- Cabin filter and HEPA filter, if fitted
- Signs of rodents
- Underbody shields and the battery enclosure
- Front and rear suspension links, arms, shocks and sway-bar links
- Brake pads and rotors, wheels and tires
- Drive unit fluid, A/C desiccant bag, condenser
Model S, 3, X and Y with the wide screen (2017 to 2024)
- Everything in the older-car list that applies
- Camera preview and sensor checks
- Connectivity, software and module checks
- High-voltage battery, charging and interlock loop checks
- 12V and power distribution check
- Thermal system test, including the PTC heater
- Coolant and HVAC system checks
- Steering, alignment, brakes, airbags and seats
- Tie rod ends, compliance links, trailing arms
Routine maintenance
Teslas skip oil changes, but they still wear out filters, fluids and wipers. These are the intervals we usually go by. Your owner's manual has the final word for your model and year.
| Item | Typical interval |
|---|---|
| Cabin air filter | Every year |
| HEPA filter (cars that have one) | Every 3 years |
| Brake cleaning and lubrication | Every year |
| Brake fluid | Every 3 years |
| Coolant | Every 5 years |
| A/C desiccant bag | About 30,000 miles |
| A/C condenser cleaning | About 30,000 miles |
| Drive unit fluid and filter | Somewhere in the 60,000 to 100,000 mile range |
| Wiper blades, 12V battery | When they wear out |
Repairs
Suspension
Bushings, control arms, shocks and air suspension parts. We also track down air leaks and recalibrate ride height.
Drive units
Fluid and filter service, leak repair, mounts, and removal for repair or upgrade.
Climate
A/C diagnosis and recharge, desiccant bags and condenser cleaning.
Body electrics
Door handles that stop presenting, window regulators, pyro fuse replacement.
Cameras and seals
Camera cleaning and calibration. Weather seal treatment.
12V battery
Testing and replacement when the car warns you or goes dark.
Tesla owners on diagnostics & inspections
Proof next to the job — find what others missed, and skip work you do not need.
AC miss at the service center
“After endless visits to the Tesla service center with no resolve for my AC on a Tesla X 2020 these guys were able to troubleshoot and fix the issue. Great service and local shop I've already recommended them to multiple individuals.”
Honest — no unnecessary brakes
“Took my Tesla Model Y in for possible brake replacements. They did a thorough inspection and determined the pads and rotors were fine. They did not charge me for the inspection. I will gladly come back for honest service.”
Reviews of Tesla service at our Mission Viejo shop (Via Fabricante). Same campus as Mesman Motors. Independent — not a Tesla Service Center and not affiliated with Tesla, Inc.
Diagnostics
A warning on the screen, a new noise, or a car that won't wake up. We read the alerts, dig into the fault history, and test the parts involved before quoting a fix. We diagnose with Tesla Toolbox, Tesla's own service software, on a full subscription.
Want a head start? Run the online diagnostic first and bring the results.