Tesla · Electric Saloon · Project Highland (Gen 2)
Tesla Model 3 Highland 2024–present
UK used buyer’s guide — data-backed, every claim sourced
Owner & expert verdict
The Project Highland Model 3 (2024+) is a substantial improvement over the pre-Highland generation in every dimension except powertrain — which was already excellent. The revised suspension geometry resolves the wishbone wear issue. Interior quality, NVH, and refinement are class-leading for an EV at this price point. Tyre wear remains a structural ownership cost and traction battery health is still the primary valuation driver. Long-term reliability data is still accumulating. For a risk-averse purchase, a 2024 Long Range AWD with battery health confirmed above 92% is the standout used EV buy in the UK.
Source: What Car? / Autocar — Highland generation
At a glance
Trim guide
Standard includes:
- RWD rear motor
- ~60 kWh LFP battery — charge to 100% regularly
- ~332 miles WLTP / ~240–290 miles real-world
- Heat pump standard
- Lower insurance group than LR AWD
- Best value Highland entry point
Standard includes:
- Dual motor AWD
- ~79 kWh NMC battery — maintain 80–90% daily charge
- ~410 miles WLTP / ~300–360 miles real-world
- 250 kW DC supercharging
- 17-speaker premium audio
- 0.219 Cd — most aerodynamically efficient Model 3
- Top used buy of the Highland generation
Running costs
Annual ownership cost estimates — Highland
Critical ownership cost
Tyre wear — structural EV issue not resolved by Highland refresh
Highland Model 3 tyre wear remains 2–3× faster than ICE equivalents
Project Highland made significant improvements to suspension geometry, aerodynamics, and NVH — but the fundamental drivers of high tyre wear are unchanged. Kerb weight (1,761–1,861 kg), instant torque delivery, acoustic foam-lined tyre fitment, and performance-oriented compounds remain constant across the platform refresh.
KwikFit UK 2025 data (which includes early Highland examples) continues to show Tesla Model 3 at the highest tyre replacement frequency on their network. This is inherent to the EV architecture, not a pre-Highland-only issue. Budget £300–£450/yr in tyre costs at average UK mileage.
The improved suspension geometry on Highland does marginally reduce the alignment-driven component of tyre wear that compounded the pre-Highland issue — but the primary structural wear rate remains.
Known issues
Early Highland — documented problems and watch points
Accelerated tyre wear — structural, not model-specific fault
Same structural cause as pre-Highland: kerb weight + instant torque + acoustic foam tyre fitment. Not a defect — it is an inherent ownership cost. See the critical issue section above for full data. Budget accordingly before purchase.
12V lithium auxiliary battery — proactive monitoring
All Highland cars have lithium 12V batteries from factory — significantly more durable than pre-2021 lead-acid units. Early fleet examples are too new to have reached replacement age. However the replacement cost increased substantially in late 2024. Budget for replacement from year 4–6 of ownership.
Touchscreen gear selector — ergonomic change
Highland replaced the physical gear selector stalk with a touchscreen-based system. There is no physical gear selector. Some owners find this unintuitive initially. This is a design decision, not a fault — but worth experiencing at the test drive. Confirm app responsiveness.
Panel gaps and trim quality — substantially improved
The pre-Highland generation was well-known for inconsistent panel gaps, particularly on 2019–2021 builds. Highland introduced significantly tighter build quality tolerances. Early highland examples show much greater consistency. Still worth checking all panel gaps at viewing as a standard procedure — but concerns are substantially reduced versus pre-Highland.
Pre-purchase checklist
Highland Model 3 — what to verify before you buy
- Battery health check — non-negotiable. Ask seller to send a Tesla app screenshot showing rated range or battery health before you travel to view. Highland cars should show 93%+ at typical early-fleet mileage. There is no reason for significant degradation on a 2024–2025 car. Any reading below 90% on a low-mileage Highland is a red flag.
- Check tyre depths on all 4 corners. Highland tyre wear is the same as pre-Highland — structural and ongoing. Anything below 3mm on any corner = imminent replacement cost. At viewing, note the tyre brand and remaining depth on each wheel. Performance-compound tyres wear faster than standard.
- Confirm battery chemistry and charge limit setting. Standard Range = LFP (set charge limit to 100%). Long Range AWD = NMC (set to 80–90% daily). Open the Tesla app at viewing and check the configured charge limit. An LFP car set at 80% is not damaged but needs reconfiguring.
- Test the touchscreen gear selector and ancillary controls. Highland has no physical gear selector. Confirm drive/reverse engage correctly via the touchscreen with no lag. Also test the rear passenger screen (8" display) and verify all screen zones are responsive.
- Verify recall status at vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk. Tesla issues recalls frequently — the majority are OTA updates. Confirm current software is up to date: Controls → Software. Any open recall requiring a physical service visit must be completed by the seller at zero cost.
- Check VED (road tax) status for the specific registration date. Highland cars registered before April 2025 are permanently VED-exempt. Cars registered from April 2025 will owe standard VED from year 2 (~£195/yr). This affects ongoing running costs — verify registration date before purchase.
- Confirm firmware is current. Controls → Software → check version. Highland benefits significantly from OTA updates to range estimation, charging curve, and Autopilot. Confirm no pending critical update is outstanding.
- Confirm Type 2 charging cable is present. Often sold separately. Also confirm DC fast-charging is not locked. Check tyre inflation kit is present and sealant canister is in-date.
- Limited DVSA and owner reliability data exists for Highland: cars won’t enter the MOT cycle until 2027. Unknown long-term reliability risks should be factored into price negotiations. The pre-Highland generation’s five years of fleet data provides a useful benchmark.
Variant guide
Which Highland Model 3 to buy
| Variant | Battery & drivetrain | Range (WLTP) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Range RWD 2024+ · RWD | ~60 kWh LFP · RWD · heat pump · 170 kW DC max · charge to 100% regularly | ~332 mi | Strong urban/suburban choice |
| Long Range AWD 2024+ · AWD | ~79 kWh NMC · AWD · 250 kW DC · premium audio | ~410 mi | Top pick — best all-rounder |
Buying strategy
Highland negotiation leverage
Battery health below 92% on app check
A low-mileage Highland car should show 95%+ health. Anything below 92% on a car under 30k miles is above-average degradation. Use as documented evidence for deduction.
Two or more tyres below 3mm
Imminent replacement required. Use tyre depth readings as documented evidence. £140–£220 per acoustic tyre.
VED status: registered after April 2025
This car will incur ~£195/yr VED from year 2 onwards. Buyers may factor this into price expectations vs earlier-registered exempt cars.
Early car: limited reliability data
Legitimate negotiation ground given the Highland fleet has no long-term MOT or reliability statistics as of 2026. Unknown risks are real.
Open recall requiring physical service visit
Legal obligation of the seller to resolve at zero cost before handover.
Safety recalls
DVSA recall history — Highland Model 3
Tesla continues to issue recalls across all Model 3 generations, with the majority resolved via free OTA software update. Highland-specific recall volume is lower than pre-Highland due to the newer platform. Always check vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk with the specific registration.
| Issue / Recall reason | Severity | Vehicles affected | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| TPMS warning lamp — may not remain illuminated between drive cycles | Moderate | Includes 2024+ Model 3 | 2024 |
| Autopilot / Assisted Driving — ongoing multiple OTA-resolved actions | Varies | All Model 3 generations | Ongoing |
| Additional software and hardware actions — check DVSA per VRM | Varies | All years | Check DVSA → |