A Tesla owner who’s racked up some impressive mileage on his Model 3 shared how he was able to keep his car running for so long. The secret? A low-cost battery replacement from a third-party manufacturer that he only needed to purchase after more than 300,000 miles of driving. 

The driver, who posts on TikTok under the 300k Mile Tesla username (@300k.mile.tesla), chronicles his trips across the United States in the car, sharing the ups and downs of traveling in the popular EV sedan. What’s truly impressive is that the car is still utilizing its original electric motor. He posted about his ride hitting the 360k mile mark in a viral TikTok.

The Tesla owner begins his video with a recording of his Model 3’s odometer screen, which reads that he’s managed to clock 359,999 miles on the ride. 

“So I know the comments section is gonna be flooded with ‘How’s the battery? Is this the original battery?’ So I’ll tell you: I changed the battery at 321,000 miles. I got it from a third party, Donut Auto Parts, in California. I got it in August, so it’s been seven months now, and it’s working great. But yeah, everything else, the motor is the original motor. I’ve changed a few things, but I’ll tell you more in the next video.” 

As his video comes to a close, the Tesla’s odometer hits the 360,000-mile mark. Per his most recent video as of this writing, the car has passed the 371,000-mile mark.

Tesla Woes

Motor1 has previously reported on the 300k Mile Tesla Owner’s content when he was stunned at the price of a Starbucks coffee at a private franchise. As for a rundown of the other parts he had replaced on his Model 3, as of this writing, his follow-up videos didn’t include a delineation of these repairs.

However, previously, he did air his grievances with Tesla’s service department when he received error messages regarding the vehicle’s auto hold feature. Initially, he thought Tesla’s service department’s diagnosis was erroneous, as technicians at the dealer told him the tires installed on his vehicle were responsible for the notices coming up on his car’s infotainment display. However, in a follow-up post, he swapped out the tires and discovered that the errors went away. In the video, he says that he owes Tesla “an apology” as their assessment turned out to be correct.

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How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Tesla Battery?

Depending on the size of the power pack and model of car, Tesla’s battery replacements through a service center can cost around the same price as a new or used car. EV Dances estimates that a Standard Range Model 3 costs anywhere from $12,000 to $14,000 for a full battery swap. Long Range models, because they pack more power cells, can cost drivers anywhere from $14,000 to $16,000. Older Model S vehicles (prior to 2022) will run owners around $18,000 to $22,000. Model S batteries from 2022 and up will run folks more at $20,000 to $24,000 in estimated repair expenditures. And the Model X and Cybertruck, regardless of year, will cost around $20,000 to $25,000 for a replacement through Tesla.

However, the 300k Mile Tesla owner paid much less to replace the battery on his Tesla Model 3. That’s because he purchased it through, as he explained, a third-party dealer, Donut Auto Parts, located in Rancho Cordova, California. As he explained in other TikTok videos, and in the comments section of this particular clip, he paid $5,000 for the new battery. Additionally, he mentions in conversations with others on the app that the shop had his car for about four days to complete the full installation.

In yet another clip, he mentions to viewers interested in getting their Tesla’s battery replaced that if they purchase one through Donut Auto Parts, mentioning his TikTok profile name will help them nab a discount.

Is A Tesla Model 3 Worth It?

As someone who extensively drives the electric sedan across the country, the 300k Mile Tesla owner has a lot of experience behind the wheel of one of the cars. In his clips, he shares his candid opinions about driving the car. In this TikTok, he does criticize his Model 3 as feeling “cheap.” Namely, that its interior detailing, like door panels and fixtures, doesn’t feel as premium as the vehicle’s aesthetic appearance suggests. 

However, he finds this to be an adequate tradeoff for the car’s fast acceleration and AutoPilot/AutoSteer functionality. He also clapped back at other folks who shared the mileage of their own vehicles, like this one person who wrote that their “Toyota has 500,000 Miles and runs perfectly.” 

The 300k Mile Tesla owner said that he wasn’t “sure what the point” of making a comment like that is. He says that he believes remarks like this are meant to decry EVs as being viable long-term commuter vehicles for drivers. However, his odometer proves otherwise. And with only a $5,000 battery replacement after he hit the 320,000-mile mark, it’s difficult to argue with his logic.

Tesla Model 3 Common Repairs/Maintenance

Like any vehicle, EVs do require maintenance. Aside from regular tire rotations and swaps and cabin filter replacements, some years of the Model 3 are known to have upper control arm issues, which can cost around $2,700 to fix through a Tesla repair shop. The 12-volt battery unit, which is responsible for some control functions, is also a bit more difficult to get to when compared to other vehicles. Folks will have to disconnect a power cord beneath the front driver’s passenger seat to properly replace the unit located in the car’s frunk.

Pimp My EV also listed some other issues, which include faulty door handles. The Model 3’s flush design can sometimes fail to engage the lock/unlock mechanism. Charging port motors are also known to sometimes wear down over time, so be prepared to squirrel away some money for these repairs should you need them down the line.

The outlet also mentions that the Model 3 is known to experience suspension issues, stating that “broken or worn ball joints are a common culprit.” Loose or ill-fitting panels and trim fixtures have also been reported by drivers.

Motor1 has reached out to 300k Mile Tesla via TikTok direct message and Tesla via email for further information.