Which battery warranty applies to my used Model S?

There are two regimes, and what decides is the first owner's purchase date, not the model year. Cars bought new up to the end of January 2020 have 8 years with no mileage limit — but without the 70 percent capacity promise (genuine defects only; the exception is the small 60 pack from 2013–2015 with a 200,000 km limit). Cars bought from February 2020 have 8 years or 240,000 km with the 70 percent promise. The warranty is tied to the car and continues for subsequent owners.

How much capacity is normal on an older Model S?

The 18650 packs age gracefully: fleet data typically shows 85 to 90 percent after more than 200,000 km — the well-known Dutch fleet survey found around 91 percent at 270,000 km, and Tesla's own Impact Report cites roughly 12 percent loss after 320,000 km. The 90 packs tend to sit below that, the 100 packs above. For a specific car, only a measurement counts.

What was 'batterygate' — does it still affect me?

A software update in May 2019 cut charging voltage and charging power on many 85 and 90 cars, costing up to eleven or twelve percent of range. In the US it ended in a settlement in 2021; for most cars the capacity was largely restored by follow-up updates. Today it is mainly a reason to measure the real condition of an 85 rather than trust the displayed figures.

Is a replaced battery a good or a bad sign?

Usually a good one: a pack replaced under warranty is younger than the car and documented. On early Model S in particular (2013–2015), warranty replacements were measurably more common than on any later generation — ask for the replacement history and get it in writing.

Model database

Used Tesla Model S: Battery, Variants, SoH

Updated: 19.08.2026 · since 2013 (EU deliveries)

Variants & batteries at a glance

Variant	Period (EU)	Usable capacity	Cell chemistry
Early 18650 era (60, 70, 85, 90)	2013 – 2016	approx. 58 (thin sourcing) · approx. 77–81 (sources disagree) · approx. 66 · approx. 85 when new	NCA
75D, 60 (software-locked) & 100D / P100D	2016 – early 2019	approx. 72.5 · approx. 62, limited in software (unlockable to 75) · 95–98 (sources disagree)	NCA
Raven Long Range / Performance	04/2019 – 2020	95–98	NCA
Palladium facelift Long Range / Plaid	German deliveries from 12/2022	95	NCA

Early 18650 era (60, 70, 85, 90) (2013 – 2016)

Period	net kWh	Chemistry	Cells
2013 – 2015 (S60)	approx. 58 (thin sourcing)	NCA	Panasonic 18650
2013 – 2016 (85, P85, 85D, P85D)	approx. 77–81 (sources disagree)	NCA	Panasonic 18650, 7,104 cells
2015 – 2016 (70, 70D)	approx. 66	NCA	Panasonic 18650
2015 – 2016 (90D, P90D)	approx. 85 when new	NCA	Panasonic 18650

The 90 packs are the risk group of this era: analysed fleet data shows them degrading roughly twice as fast as the 85s. Early 85s (2013–2015) were replaced under warranty more often than average — a documented replacement pack is a plus when buying used, not a blemish.

Important when measuring: the 85 pack never really held 85 kWh — teardowns measured around 81 kWh gross. SoH figures depend heavily on which reference value is used.

75D, 60 (software-locked) & 100D / P100D (2016 – early 2019)

Period	net kWh	Chemistry	Cells
2016 – 2019 (75, 75D)	approx. 72.5	NCA	Panasonic 18650
2016 – 2017 (60, 60D — physically a 75 pack)	approx. 62, limited in software (unlockable to 75)	NCA	Panasonic 18650
from late 2016 (100D, P100D)	95–98 (sources disagree)	NCA	Panasonic 18650, 8,256 cells

Fleet data rates the 100 pack as the most robust of the 18650 era. On a 2016/17 S60 or 60D it is worth checking the lock status: many were never unlocked to the full 75 kWh — hidden upgrade potential in an ad.

Raven Long Range / Performance (04/2019 – 2020)

Period	net kWh	Chemistry	Cells
2019 – 2020	95–98	NCA	Panasonic 18650

The same 100 pack as before, but with a more efficient drivetrain (permanent-magnet front motor) and faster charging at up to 200 kW. Mind the market gap: no new Model S were delivered in Europe from 2021 until late 2022 — cars first registered in those years are usually stock or import vehicles.

Many Raven cars were bought before the warranty cut-off at the end of January 2020 — those have 8 years with no mileage limit (see the FAQ).

Palladium facelift Long Range / Plaid (German deliveries from 12/2022)

Period	net kWh	Chemistry	Cells
from 12/2022	95	NCA	Panasonic 18650, 7,920 cells

A completely reworked architecture with a modern BMS, still using 18650 cells. Too young for long-term statements on the used market; the first lease returns arrive in 2026/2027.

Battery warranty for this variant: 8 years / 240,000 km (70% minimum capacity).

The Model S is the oldest Tesla stock on the German market — and therefore the model where the battery question moves the most money: most cars first registered up to mid-2018 are now out of battery warranty, good 18650 examples start at around €15,000, and the gap between a well-kept 100D and a tired 90 is one you cannot see in the ad.

Reading the SoH on a Model S

The routes are the same as on the Model 3 and Y — from the built-in battery health test to an independent certificate; the full comparison is in our guide checking Tesla battery health. One thing is specific to the Model S: on 85s and 90s with their eventful software history, the range display is an especially weak indicator — what counts here is a real capacity measurement, or better, a history.

On the Model S, Akkubrief comes with a limit we would rather state up front: we issue for the 75 pack (2016–2019) and for the Palladium generation (Plaid from 2021, Long Range from 2022). For the 60, 70, 85, 90 and 100 packs and for the Raven years we have no sourced figure for how much the battery held when new — and without the second half of the sum we do not guess, we issue nothing. You can still connect the car and follow its history.

What to look for when buying used

First establish which warranty regime applies — it depends on the first owner's purchase date, not the model year (details in the FAQ). A Raven bought at the end of 2019 still has warranty cover with no mileage limit; an identical car bought from February 2020 is running against the 240,000 km limit. After that: ask about the battery's replacement history (a replacement pack is a plus), check the software lock status on a 2016/17 S60, and measure 90 packs especially carefully. And for every car out of warranty: without solid battery proof, you are buying the most expensive component blind.

Battery warranty

Tesla warrants the battery for 8 years with at least 70% remaining capacity. Mileage limits and exceptions are shown with the variants above and in the questions below.