With the recent revelation that Hertz intends to offload 20,000 Tesla vehicles, enthusiasts and potential Tesla owners alike have been caught in a whirlwind of excitement and anticipation. The prospect of acquiring a Tesla from such a reputable rental giant seems enticing, but beneath the surface lies a pertinent question: is buying a Hertz used Tesla really a good idea?
After my recent Hertz Tesla rental experience, I am not convinced. There were a few red flags that I wanted to share here for anyone considering buying a Tesla from Hertz.
Great Rental Experience, But…
I recently wrote about my Hertz Tesla rental experience, which went much better than expected. It was such a glowing review you would think I would have no issues recommending buying a Hertz used Tesla, but not so much. There are a few areas of concern that would caution anyone from buying a used Tesla from Hertz.
From their charging procedures to the car’s condition, I am here to help anyone thinking they may be getting a steal of a deal. Here are three things I came across that you may want to consider before buying a Tesla from Hertz.
1) Hertz Used Tesla Battery Life
One reason Hertz is quoted as a reason for their used Tesla sell-off is that the rental demand was lower than expected.
As such, it’s safe to assume there will be some used Tesla vehicles with low mileage. That said, low mileage doesn’t necessarily equate to a healthy battery.
As MYEV trips contributor Arden explains, charging a lithium-ion battery pack to 100% or letting it drain too low too often can significantly reduce the overall battery capacity. From my Hertz rental experience, I can say that going into these extremes is common practice.
When I picked up my Model Y (dual motor, long-range), I was surprised to find it was charged to 98%. I was also surprised that they asked the car to be returned with 80% or more. Given the airport location I rented from was several miles south of the nearest fast charger, and I was renting during a cold snap in February, I had to charge the car to 93% in order to return it above 80%.
I am making assumptions, but this practice is likely a common one no matter the location. This means used Hertz Tesla batteries are likely to be more degraded than most.
In the long run, this may not be a concern. Tesla batteries are said to level out with degradation, averaging only 12% loss after 200,000 miles. Still, these practices are not what Tesla recommends, so that is a flag to me.
Note: Hertz does have Model 3’s with LFP battery packs that can be charged to 100%, so there is less of a concern with charging practices and degradation on those vehicles.
2) The Condition of The Car
When I picked up my Hertz Tesla. Model Y, I also noticed its shape. Although this is common to any rental car, the glaring difference here was that Model Y, located in northern Canada, did not have the winter kit installed. This meant no mudflaps and no PPF in front of the rear wheel wells.
As well documented on this site, it doesn’t take long for pits and rock chips to pile up. My 2020 Tesla Model Y, which did not come with mud flaps or PPF, was in rough shape after just 6,000 miles, very few of which were on gravel roads. The spaces in front of the back wheels litterally looked like the surface of a golf ball.
This seems like a really odd thing to overlook on Hertz’s part. That said, I suppose it’s not something that car rental companies would really care about. Someone buying the car, though, surely would.
3) Rental Use for Uber?
The last factor that jumped out at me was the fact that renting a Hertz Tesla for Uber use is seamingly common practice.
Although at the surface level, this shouldn’t mean anything, given that Hertz staff did not consider battery life a priority, it’s safe to assume best practices we weren’t passed along to those Uber drivers. It’s also safe to assume that these Uber drivers do not have L2 chargers at home, so they were likely charging exclusively at Superchargers, another contributor to early battery degradation.
Is Buying a Tesla From Hertz a Good Deal?
Now, all that said, this doesn’t mean buying a used Tesla from Hertz is necessarily a bad thing. These are just factors that should be considered.
Depending on the price and warranty that may be included, buying a used Hertz Tesla may make sense for you. Personally, though, I would proceed with caution. I would verify battery degradation and confirm what battery warranty is in place before proceeding. I would also give the car a thorough look over for damage to the rims and areas in front of the rear wheel wells.
Hertz Used Tesla For Sale – Where to Search
If you are still interested in buying a Tesla from Hertz, navigate the purchase process by visiting their official website. There, you can explore available models, browse pricing options, and learn about the purchasing process in detail.
From selecting your preferred model to completing the necessary paperwork, Hertz provides a straightforward and transparent buying experience. You can use their user-friendly interface and comprehensive resources to make an informed decision.
What say you? Are you considering buying a Tesla from Hertz? How would these factors affect your decision? Let me know in the comments below!
REA
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The teslas hertz is selling do not have lith ion batteries, fyi. The batteries they likely contain actually have totally different charging recommendations that align with hertz’ charging requirements.
This is true for the Model 3 units with LFP battery packs. The one I drove is a Telsa Model Y LR, which does not have an LFP battery pack. These are not recommended to be charged past 80% on the regular.