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How much is a Tesla 3? Full costs revealed.
Thinking about buying a Tesla Model 3? In early 2026, the Model 3 remains a top contender in the UK’s electric vehicle market, though it now faces stiff competition from new rivals. According to the latest SMMT data, Tesla registered 2,422 vehicles in February 2026, maintaining a strong presence even as the broader market saw a 37% shift in brand registrations due to a surge in choice from competitors like BYD.
Tesla 3 Price
The NimbleFins car data experts have dug into publicly available new and used car data to learn how much motorists are really paying for a Tesla 3. Here's what we found.
Cost of a new Tesla 3
As of 2026, starting OTR prices for the Tesla Model 3 have been adjusted to remain competitive. The entry-level Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) now starts at £37,990, while the Long Range AWD begins at £44,990 and the high-performance variant starts at £59,800. Our 2026 market analysis shows that with popular configurations, the average price for a brand-new Model 3 is now approximately £46,500. Optional extras have also seen slight price changes: 'Enhanced Autopilot' is now priced at £3,400, while 'Full Self-Driving (Supervised)' is a £6,800 option. Premium paint remains at £1,300, though 'Ultra Red' can cost up to £2,000.
| 2026 Tesla 3 Starting OTR Prices | |
|---|---|
| Rear-Wheel Drive (Standard) | £37,990 |
| Long Range, All-Wheel Drive | £49,990 |
| Performance, All-Wheel Drive | £59,990 |
| Average Market Price | £46,500 |
Cost of a used Tesla 3
Updated 2026 used car data shows that while Tesla depreciation has stabilized after the sharp drops of previous years, initial losses remain notable. A one-year-old Model 3 (2025 registration) typically retains about 79% of its value, representing a first-year drop of around £8,000. By the second year (2024 registration), value falls by another 14% (£5,400), and by the third year (2023 registration), it loses approximately 11% (£3,500). On average, a 3-year-old Tesla Model 3 now sells for between £18,000 and £26,000 depending on mileage.
| Registration Year | Car Age | Average Used Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | New / Delivery Miles | £37,990 |
| 2025 | 1 Year Old | £29,900 |
| 2024 | 2 Years Old | £24,500 |
| 2023 | 3 Years Old | £21,000 |
Tesla 3 Insurance Costs
In 2026, cheap car insurance premiums for EVs have stabilized. Analysis for a low-risk driver shows an average annual premium of approximately £815 for the Rear-Wheel Drive model. Interestingly, the premium gap between variants has narrowed; insurance for a Long Range AWD model is now typically only 5-10% higher than the RWD version, averaging around £860. The Performance model remains the costliest to cover, often exceeding £950 for the same driver profile.
Your insurance prices will certainly vary; use this information as a rough guide as to starting insurance costs and to see how they might vary by fuel type and trim level. To find out your Tesla 3 insurance costs, use the quote calculator below:
Tesla 3 Road Tax Cost
From April 2025, the tax rules for electric vehicles changed significantly. New Tesla Model 3s now incur a first-year 'showroom tax' of £10. From the second year onwards, all EVs are subject to the standard annual rate, which in 2026 is £200. Furthermore, because the list price of the Long Range and Performance models—and even a RWD model with options—often exceeds the £50,000 threshold (increased from £40,000 in April 2026), owners will likely pay an 'Expensive Car Supplement' of £440 per year for five years. This brings the total annual tax for many 2026 Model 3 owners to £640.