If you own, or are thinking about buying, a Tesla Model 3, the **battery’s health** is the single most important factor in how the car will drive, how far it will go, and what it will be worth years from now. A proper Tesla Model 3 battery health check isn’t just looking at the dash range number; it’s combining what the car tells you with a few simple tests and a little context.
Good news on Tesla batteries
Real‑world owner data shows most Tesla packs retain roughly **85–90% capacity after about 200,000 miles** when used and charged reasonably. That’s far better than many people assume and one reason used Teslas hold value so well.
Why Tesla Model 3 battery health matters
Your Model 3’s high‑voltage battery is effectively the **engine and gas tank combined**. Its health directly affects:
- How far you can drive between charges (usable range)
- How quickly your car can fast‑charge on DC fast chargers or Superchargers
- Performance and acceleration under heavy load
- Long‑term reliability and resale value, especially for used buyers
- Whether you’re still protected under Tesla’s battery warranty thresholds
For used‑vehicle shoppers, **battery health is the main risk you’re trying to understand**. Two Model 3s with the same mileage can have very different remaining capacity depending on charging habits, climate, and how often they were run low or kept at 100%.
All the ways to check Model 3 battery health
Four practical ways to check Model 3 battery health
You don’t always need a deep diagnostic to spot a healthy pack.
Tesla app
In‑car screen
Real‑world range
Third‑party data
Important 2025–2026 software changes
Tesla has **tweaked and in some cases removed or limited** the full Battery Health Test on some vehicles and in Service Mode with recent software (2025.26 and later). That means not every Model 3 will show or allow the same test options, even if guides or videos say otherwise. Always check what’s actually available on your car today.
How to check Tesla Model 3 battery health in the app
Over the last couple of years, Tesla has quietly pushed more **battery diagnostics into the mobile app**. Depending on your Model 3’s year and software version, you may see either a simple “battery is healthy” message or a stored result from an in‑depth Battery Health Test.
Quick Tesla app battery health check
1. Update the Tesla app
Make sure you’re on the latest Tesla app version (for example, 4.4x or newer on iOS or Android). Some battery‑health features only appear after app updates.
2. Wake the car up
Open the Tesla app and tap your Model 3 so it wakes up. The car needs to be online for the app to pull recent diagnostics.
3. Go to Service in the app
Tap **Service** in the bottom menu (or from the main vehicle screen), then look for items related to **Battery & Charging** or **Range**.
4. Look for health status
Many owners now see a message like **“Battery is healthy”** or a percentage based on a previous Battery Health Test. If you see a “start test” option, your car may support launching the full test from the app or will redirect you to the in‑car Service menu.
5. Don’t panic if you don’t see it
If your app only shows range information but not a formal health result, that doesn’t mean your battery is bad, only that your particular vehicle/firmware combination doesn’t expose the detailed test to the app.
Use the app as a triage tool
Think of the app‑based check as a **first pass**. If the app flags a concern, like range lower than expected, it’s time to confirm with an in‑car Battery Health Test or a professional diagnostic before you draw conclusions.
Using the in‑car Battery Health screen & test
Newer Model 3s include a **Battery Health** item in the Service menu that evaluates your pack versus Tesla’s expectations for its age, chemistry, and usage. On some cars you can trigger a full **Battery Health Test** that runs for many hours while the car is plugged in.
- Not every Model 3 has this feature yet.
- Some earlier cars show the screen but only display *previous* test results.
- Recent 2025–2026 software has removed the Service‑Mode version of the test on many vehicles.
How to run a Model 3 Battery Health Test (where available)
1. Check prerequisites
Park the car, ensure **no high‑voltage or thermal alerts** are active, and make sure there are **no pending software updates**. If you see BMS or VCFRONT alerts, schedule service first.
2. Plug into Level 2 AC
Connect to a home or public AC charger that can deliver at least **5 kW** (many owners report smoother tests on 7 kW or higher). Superchargers and DC fast chargers won’t work for this test.
3. Lower your state of charge
Tesla recommends starting the test with **less than ~20% battery** remaining. On some cars, the test will refuse to run if you’re much higher than that.
4. Open the Service menu
On the touchscreen, go to **Controls → Service → Battery Health**. If your car supports it, you’ll see an option to **Start Battery Health Test** along with a description.
5. Start the test and leave the car alone
Tap **Start Test** and exit the vehicle. The screen may go dark, the battery can be discharged below 10% (sometimes briefly to 0%), and features like Sentry Mode and climate control will be disabled while the test runs, often **up to 12–24 hours**.
6. Review the result
When complete, the screen will display a percentage representing **battery energy retention compared to new**. This is Tesla’s official view of your pack’s health, used as a reference for warranty decisions.
Safety while the test runs
During a Battery Health Test, climate control is disabled and the car may drain to a very low state of charge. **Never leave people or pets in the car** while the test is running, and don’t plan on driving until it’s finished and the car has recharged.
Why your Model 3 may not offer the test
Tesla has been tightening control of **on‑demand Service Mode tests**, including the HV Battery Self Test. On some Model 3s, you’ll only see the last recorded health result, or nothing at all. That’s normal under current software and doesn’t automatically indicate a problem with your pack.
Quick real‑world range check (no tools needed)
If you can’t run an official Battery Health Test, or you’re evaluating a used Tesla on a tight schedule, a **controlled real‑world range check** can still tell you a lot. It’s less scientific but highly practical.
Simple on‑road test for Model 3 battery health
1. Pick a familiar route
Use a highway route you know well, ideally where you can drive **at a steady 65–70 mph** for at least 30–60 minutes.
2. Start at a known state of charge
Charge to a clear number, say **80%**, and note the **estimated remaining miles** on the dash when you set off.
3. Drive consistently
Drive at your target speed with climate set to a normal comfort level. Avoid big elevation changes if possible, and note outside temperature (cold weather always hurts range).
4. Compare energy used vs. miles driven
After 30–50 miles, check the **energy screen** for Wh/mi and remaining state of charge. A healthy Model 3 driven moderately at highway speeds will usually land within **10–15% of its rated efficiency** in mild weather.
5. Look for major outliers
If you’re consistently seeing **dramatically less range than rated**, after adjusting for speed, temperature, and wind, that can be a sign to dig deeper with a formal test or professional diagnostic.
What “normal” Model 3 battery degradation looks like
All lithium‑ion batteries lose capacity over time. The trick is understanding **what’s normal for a Tesla Model 3** versus what might indicate abuse or a defect.
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Typical Tesla battery degradation over time
Your individual car can sit slightly above or below these ranges, and that’s okay. What you want to avoid are **big jumps, rapid declines, or behavior that doesn’t match usage**, for example, a 30% apparent loss in a single year without any obvious cause.
Watch the trend, not a single snapshot
Tesla’s range estimate is based on the **battery management system’s best guess**, which can shift as the car collects more data. A one‑time drop after a software recalibration is less concerning than a **steady decline you can graph over months**.
Using third‑party tools and charging data
If you want to go deeper, or your car doesn’t expose a formal Battery Health Test, third‑party tools can help you **read and track the battery management system (BMS) data** behind Tesla’s own estimates.
Common ways owners track Model 3 battery health
Best for data‑driven drivers and used‑vehicle due diligence.
App‑based trackers
OBD & CAN tools
Professional diagnostics
Be cautious with logins and hardware
Only use **reputable third‑party apps** and never share your main Tesla account password. Use app‑specific keys or limited‑access accounts where possible, and be careful with any hardware that requires modifying factory wiring.
Battery health checklist when buying a used Model 3
If you’re evaluating a used Tesla Model 3, battery health should sit at the **top of your checklist**. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s confirming that the pack is behaving normally for its age and mileage and that there are no obvious red flags.
Used Model 3 battery health checklist
1. Confirm year, trim, and battery variant
Different Model 3 trims (Standard Range/Rear‑Wheel Drive vs. Long Range/Performance) have **different battery sizes and warranty limits**. Knowing exactly which you’re looking at matters when you compare range and coverage.
2. Ask for recent range screenshots
Request a photo of the touchscreen or app showing **rated range at 100% or 90%**. Compare that to the original EPA‑rated range for that trim to estimate remaining capacity.
3. Review charging history
Ask how the car was typically charged: mostly at home on **Level 2 to 70–80%**, or fast‑charged to 100% several times a week? Frequent DC fast charging and living at 100% for long periods can accelerate degradation.
4. Check for battery or thermal alerts
Make sure there are **no active BMS or thermal system alerts** on the car’s screen. If you see warnings tied to the pack or cooling system, treat them as serious until a pro has evaluated them.
5. Look for a recent Battery Health Test
If the seller has a screenshot of a recent **Battery Health Test result**, that’s a plus. Ask when it was run, at what mileage, and whether the software has been updated since.
6. Do a short road test
On your test drive, pay attention to **how quickly the state of charge drops** and whether the car limits power unexpectedly. Sudden loss of power or drastic gauge swings need professional investigation.
7. Compare against similar cars
When you browse **multiple Model 3 listings**, look at range vs. mileage across them. If one car’s range is dramatically worse than peers with similar odometer readings, consider it a yellow flag.
8. Get an independent report
If you’re not comfortable judging battery data yourself, work with an expert. Every EV sold by <strong>Recharged</strong> includes a **Recharged Score battery report** that summarizes pack health in plain English.
Warranty coverage, recalls, and red flags
Tesla’s **Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty** is your safety net against abnormal degradation or manufacturing defects. For the Model 3, coverage depends on variant:
Tesla Model 3 battery warranty summary (U.S.)
Check the exact booklet for your VIN, but these are the common headline terms.
| Model 3 variant | Years | Mileage limit | Capacity guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear‑Wheel Drive / Standard Range | 8 years | 100,000 miles | At least 70% battery capacity retained |
| Long Range & Performance | 8 years | 120,000 miles | At least 70% battery capacity retained |
All variants include a minimum 70% capacity retention promise over the warranty period.
If a verified Battery Health Test or Tesla‑documented diagnostic shows your pack below those thresholds **within the warranty window**, you may qualify for repair or replacement. That’s part of why an official test result, where available, is so valuable.
Watch for odometer and history discrepancies
Because battery warranty is tied to **years and miles**, be wary of any car whose odometer reading, service history, or usage claims don’t quite line up. Always cross‑check title history, service records, and mileage against what the seller tells you.
Check for open recalls
Before you buy, run the VIN through the **NHTSA recall lookup** and Tesla’s own site to make sure there are no unresolved battery‑related recalls or safety campaigns. Recalls are fixed free of charge, but you’ll still want to know what’s been done and when.
How Recharged checks Tesla battery health for you
Battery health is complex, even for experienced EV owners. At Recharged, we treat it as the **core of our used‑EV process**, especially for Tesla Model 3s, which are among the most popular cars on the platform.
What’s inside a Recharged battery health evaluation
Included with every Tesla we sell, summarized in the Recharged Score.
Deep battery diagnostics
Recharged Score report
Nationwide, digital experience
If you’re trading in or selling a Model 3, that same process works in your favor. A **strong battery health report** can support better pricing and faster sale times because buyers no longer have to worry about what they can’t see.
Tesla Model 3 battery health FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Model 3 battery health
Bottom line: focus on behavior, not a single number
Between Tesla’s app, the in‑car Battery Health screen, and a simple highway range test, you can build a **clear, real‑world picture** of your Tesla Model 3’s battery health without becoming a battery engineer. The key is to treat every data point, percentage, range estimate, third‑party state‑of‑health reading, as **one piece of a bigger story** about how the car has been used and how it behaves today.
If you’d rather not decode that story alone, buying through Recharged shifts the heavy lifting to specialists who read this data every day. Whether you’re trading in, selling, or shopping for a used Model 3, a transparent **battery health report tied to expert support** turns what used to be a guessing game into a confident decision.
