Negotiating leverage
31
moderate leverage / 100
~47 days of national supply — moderate negotiating leverage.
Ridekick price intelligence
2021 Tesla Model 3 Price: Fair Market Value & MSRP
A mileage-adjusted read of comparable active listings—not a quote for a specific VIN, trim, condition, or location.
Fair market price
$23,972
Inside the middle half of current listings.
Price intelligence
A map of today's market
Fair price is in the typical market range
$11,999$32,997
- Typical market range
- $20,552–$25,883
- Ridekick fair price
- $23,972
- Original MSRP range
- $44,990–$45,009
Middle 50% of active listings
Mileage-adjusted estimate
2 sourced trims when new
Buyer context
Market pulse
Signals to help you frame a conversation—not a promise about a particular vehicle or dealer.
National supply
47
days of supply
Balanced market
Supply and demand are roughly balanced for the 2021 Tesla Model 3.
Estimated dealer cost (invoice)
$41,391–$43,190
Estimated dealer invoice — about $44,990 MSRP minus a typical 4–8% manufacturer margin.
An estimate, not a sourced figure. Actual dealer invoice varies with manufacturer incentives, holdback, and regional pricing.
Fair price by trim
| Trim | Fair price | MSRP | Est. dealer cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | $23,966 | $44,990 | $41,391–$43,190 |
| standard-range | — | $45,009 | $41,408–$43,209 |
Trim comparison
How each trim is priced
Estimated dealer cost Original MSRP Fair price
Trim
$22,283$34,488$46,692
Fair priceBase
$23,966
Base: fair price $23,966, original MSRP $44,990, estimated dealer cost $41,391 to $43,190.
standard-range
—
standard-range: fair price not available, original MSRP $45,009, estimated dealer cost $41,408 to $43,209.
All marks use the same price scale. Dealer cost is an estimate; original MSRP and fair price are shown for context, not as a guarantee of a particular vehicle’s price.
Out-the-door price by state
Out-the-door for a 2021 Tesla Model 3 runs about $24,283 in MT to $26,587 in NJ — fair price plus state tax, title, registration, and a typical dealer doc fee.
| State | Sales/use tax | Doc + title + reg | Out-the-door |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA | $1,738 | $110+ | $25,820 |
| TX | $1,498 | $332 | $25,802 |
| FL | $1,438 | $1,074+ | $26,484 |
| NY | $959 | $371 | $25,302 |
| PA | $1,438 | $587 | $25,997 |
| IL | $1,498 | $683 | $26,153 |
| OH | $1,378 | $444 | $25,794 |
| GA | $1,678 | $637 | $26,287 |
| NC | $719 | $793 | $25,484 |
| WA | $1,558 | $215+ | $25,745 |
| OR | $0 | $525 | $24,497 |
Estimates using each state's base tax rate. Local (city/county) taxes can add 1–3% in many areas, dealer doc fees vary, and some states base registration on vehicle value or weight (shown with a "+"). Trade-in tax credits are not included.
Out-the-door price by state: California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, Washington, Oregon
Safety & recalls
21 open NHTSA recalls on record for the 2021 Tesla Model 3.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.
Campaign 22V037000 · 27/01/2022
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021, 2023 Model 3 vehicles. The left and/or right side curtain air bag may have been improperly secured to the roof rail, which could result in a twisted air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and realign the left and right side curtain air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-20-006.
Campaign 21V834000 · 25/10/2021
SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
Remedy: Tesla Service will tighten or replace the lateral link fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-31-003.
Campaign 21V835000 · 25/10/2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-002.
Campaign 22V045000 · 01/02/2022
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Model 3 and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles. The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and tighten, or replace the caliper bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service online by visiting www.tesla.com/support/contact or by calling 1-877-79-TESLA (or 1-877-798-3752). Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-33-002.
Campaign 21V387000 · 25/05/2021
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.
Remedy: Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.
Campaign 21V846000 · 29/10/2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-18-002.
Campaign 22V050000 · 02/02/2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall has been superseded by Recall 22V-235. Tesla's number for the new recall is SB-22-00-003.
Campaign 22V063000 · 04/02/2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall supersedes recall 22V-063. Vehicles configured with Summon or Smart Summon and already remedied under 22V-063 will need to have the new remedy software installed.
Campaign 22V235000 · 12/04/2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Model 3 Performance vehicles. The unit of speed (mph or km/h) may fail to display on the speedometer while in Track Mode. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-008.
Campaign 22V263000 · 18/04/2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model 3 and 2021 Model Y vehicles. The fisheye and narrow camera cable terminals were incorrectly installed in the cable harness connector, resulting in swapped camera views.
Remedy: Tesla Service will correct the swapped terminals and recalibrate the cameras, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-17-007.
Campaign 22V317000 · 09/05/2022
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update of the automatic window reversal system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2032. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-013.
Campaign 22V702000 · 19/09/2022
Source: NHTSA. Contact your dealer to schedule a free recall repair.
Questions buyers ask
What is a fair price for a 2021 Tesla Model 3?
A fair, mileage-adjusted price is about $23,972, within a typical market range of $20,552 to $25,883.
Is the 2021 Tesla Model 3 cheaper than MSRP?
Yes — its original MSRP was about $44,990, so a fair used price is roughly $21,018 below MSRP.
What is the out-the-door price of a 2021 Tesla Model 3?
Out-the-door (price plus state tax, title, registration, and a typical doc fee) runs about $24,283 in MT to $26,587 in NJ, depending on your state. Local taxes can add more.
Is now a good time to buy a 2021 Tesla Model 3?
There are about 47 days of national market supply for the 2021 Tesla Model 3 — Supply and demand are roughly balanced for the 2021 Tesla Model 3.
How much can you negotiate on a 2021 Tesla Model 3?
Negotiating leverage rates 31/100 (moderate). ~47 days of national supply — moderate negotiating leverage.
What does the dealer pay for a 2021 Tesla Model 3?
The estimated dealer cost (invoice) is roughly $41,391–$43,190 — its $44,990 MSRP minus a typical 4–8% margin. An estimate; actual invoice varies.
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Prices are computed from live market listings, adjusted for mileage, and aggregated by trim · updated 8/1/2026. Estimates only; your price depends on condition, options, and location.