Negotiating leverage
66
strong leverage / 100
~53 days of national supply and listings typically ~9% above fair price — strong leverage to negotiate.
Ridekick price intelligence
2021 Tesla Model S 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
$43,922
Inside the middle half of current listings.
Price intelligence
A map of today's market
Fair price is in the typical market range
$26,450$73,995
- Typical market range
- $39,192–$54,493
- Ridekick fair price
- $43,922
- Original MSRP range
- $69,420–$119,990
Middle 50% of active listings
Mileage-adjusted estimate
4 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
53
days of supply
Balanced market
Supply and demand are roughly balanced for the 2021 Tesla Model S.
Estimated dealer cost (invoice)
$63,866–$66,643
Estimated dealer invoice — about $69,420 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Range Plus | $37,086 | $69,420 | $63,866–$66,643 |
| Performance | $41,598 | $91,990 | $84,631–$88,310 |
| Plaid | $50,724 | $119,990 | $110,391–$115,190 |
| base | — | $100,600 | $92,552–$96,576 |
Trim comparison
How each trim is priced
Estimated dealer cost Original MSRP Fair price
Trim
$30,454$78,538$126,622
Fair priceLong Range Plus
$37,086
Long Range Plus: fair price $37,086, original MSRP $69,420, estimated dealer cost $63,866 to $66,643.
Performance
$41,598
Performance: fair price $41,598, original MSRP $91,990, estimated dealer cost $84,631 to $88,310.
Plaid
$50,724
Plaid: fair price $50,724, original MSRP $119,990, estimated dealer cost $110,391 to $115,190.
base
—
base: fair price not available, original MSRP $100,600, estimated dealer cost $92,552 to $96,576.
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 S runs about $43,808 in MT to $47,407 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 | $3,154 | $110+ | $46,761 |
| TX | $2,719 | $332 | $46,548 |
| FL | $2,610 | $1,074+ | $47,181 |
| NY | $1,740 | $371 | $45,608 |
| PA | $2,610 | $587 | $46,694 |
| IL | $2,719 | $683 | $46,899 |
| OH | $2,501 | $444 | $46,442 |
| GA | $3,045 | $637 | $47,179 |
| NC | $1,305 | $793 | $45,595 |
| WA | $2,827 | $215+ | $46,539 |
| OR | $0 | $525 | $44,022 |
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
24 open NHTSA recalls on record for the 2021 Tesla Model S.
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
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021 Model X and Model S vehicles. The driver's air bag cushion may tear during deployment.
Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-20-007.
Campaign 21V868000 · 09/11/2021
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
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2014-2021 Model S vehicles. The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 113, "Hood Latch System."
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and reposition the latch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 18, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-11-003.
Campaign 21V00B000 · 21/12/2021
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
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S vehicles. The right or left side curtain air bag inflators may have been assembled incorrectly.
Remedy: Tesla Service Centers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-20-001.
Campaign 22V104000 · 23/02/2022
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
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S, Model X, and 2022 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles operating certain firmware releases. The infotainment central processing unit (CPU) may overheat during the preparation or process of fast-charging, causing the CPU to lag or restart.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will improve CPU temperature management, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-009.
Campaign 22V296000 · 03/05/2022
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
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021 Model S exterior side rearview mirrors, part numbers: 1622232-00-B and 1622233-00-B. The driver side exterior rearview mirrors are convex (curved glass) and the passenger side mirrors do not include the "Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear" etched warning. As such, these mirrors fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the mirrors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 31, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-12-002.
Campaign 22E092000 · 01/11/2022
Source: NHTSA. Contact your dealer to schedule a free recall repair.
Questions buyers ask
What is a fair price for a 2021 Tesla Model S?
A fair, mileage-adjusted price is about $43,922, within a typical market range of $39,192 to $54,493.
Is the 2021 Tesla Model S cheaper than MSRP?
Yes — its original MSRP was about $69,420, so a fair used price is roughly $25,498 below MSRP.
What is the out-the-door price of a 2021 Tesla Model S?
Out-the-door (price plus state tax, title, registration, and a typical doc fee) runs about $43,808 in MT to $47,407 in NJ, depending on your state. Local taxes can add more.
Is now a good time to buy a 2021 Tesla Model S?
There are about 53 days of national market supply for the 2021 Tesla Model S — Supply and demand are roughly balanced for the 2021 Tesla Model S.
How much can you negotiate on a 2021 Tesla Model S?
Negotiating leverage rates 66/100 (strong). ~53 days of national supply and listings typically ~9% above fair price — strong leverage to negotiate.
What does the dealer pay for a 2021 Tesla Model S?
The estimated dealer cost (invoice) is roughly $63,866–$66,643 — its $69,420 MSRP minus a typical 4–8% margin. An estimate; actual invoice varies.
Keep researching
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Prices are computed from live market listings, adjusted for mileage, and aggregated by trim · updated 8/4/2026. Estimates only; your price depends on condition, options, and location.