User of a Model Y, I discovered (too quickly) the hell of Tesla repairs

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Important: This article reflects personal experience. Many users of Tesla vehicles testify to impeccable follow-up and a satisfactory experience with repairs. This story is that of a user who experienced a particular situation, which can in no way reflect a generality.

In November 2023, I took the plunge. Finished the thermal car, I decided to switch to electric. The conditions were met: I was going to move to a house in the countryside with the possibility of recharging my vehicle at home, the rental contract for my previous vehicle was ending, the sales/rental offers were interesting, the always advantageous ecological bonus. After months of reflection and discussion with Tesla vehicle owners, I made the decision to also turn to the American manufacturer.

Why Tesla ? For the safety of vehicles often first in crash tests (important for the father of a young 2-year-old boy), for the integrated technology ( we won't do it again), for the excellent autonomy and, above all, for the network of Superchargers making long trips much more comfortable. The price also came into play: the LLD offer offered by Tesla on the Model Y last year was unbeatable for a vehicle in this range. So much for context.

The little careless mistake

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Model Ys are comfortable and easy to drive vehicles. However, they have a small flaw: the rear of the vehicle is slightly wider than the front, which can lead to errors in judging the size. I paid the price on several occasions during slot attempts which ended with the embellishment rubbing a little on the sidewalk. Nothing dramatic.

At the beginning of April, I was much less lucky. Arriving at a parking lot, I see at the last moment a pothole on the right side of the road, very close to the sidewalk. I avoid it with the front part of the vehicle but the left rear wheel does not escape it. Result: flat tire instantly.

I contact my insurance who offers to repatriate the vehicle to any garage that can handle the repair. So far, everything is going smoothly. The choice of garage then became a real obstacle course.

There's stress, no Point S

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I first contacted the major national brands (Norauto, Feu Vert, Point S, Midas etc.) close to my place of accident (and residence). None had a tire available. I then thought that my location in the provinces posed a problem. “Partly” answered my interlocutors, but not only that. The real problem I asked for lies in the unusual size of the tire I am looking for. The tire dimensions of a Tesla Model Y are rare, garages do not ;#8217;so never (or very rarely) take them in stock.

Sorry, we don't do electric. – Large brand specializing in tires –

So I asked them what the deadlines were for receiving a tire. Answer: around ten days in the best case. Impossible to be without my vehicle for so long. So I tried to contact tire specialists. One of them, whose activity is 100% devoted to tires, replied: “sorry, we don't do electric”. Surprised, I asked to repeat to make sure it wasn't a joke or a limitation to Tesla vehicles . Second answer “I’said that we don't put tires on electrics”.

An unexpected savior

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Resigned, I try a search on the web, on Tesla vehicle owner forums. During the discussions, I found the link to a community site listing specialist Tesla garages. Stroke of luck (well a little!), a garage 10 km from my accident site repairs the Tesla (Garage Mouret in Bacouel -sur-Selle, near Amiens). I call it: “I'll see what I can do, but usually it's three days.< /em> Still better than ten.