I Just Bought a Used Cybertruck, Live 3 Hours Away, and Now My Tesla App Says Drop It Off and Pick It Up Next Week!? Are They Giving Me a Loaner?

"I live three hours from the Tesla Service Center, and Tesla says I have to leave my used Cybertruck until next week. Do I get a loaner vehicle?"

What happens if you buy a used Tesla Cybertruck and take it for service? You could be waiting longer than you expected. Beth Sandahl bought a used Tesla Cybertruck and wants to have it checked out by Tesla. Here is her dilemma. 

On the Tesla Cybertruck Owners Facebook Group, she has a question all Tesla owners will want to know the answer to.    

Beth asks, "I bought my used Cybertruck three weeks ago. I made an appointment on the Tesla app and have an appointment at the Tesla dealership on Friday. However, I live three hours away from the dealer. I am looking at my appointment, and it says I need to drop my CT off and pick it up the following week?! Are they giving me a loaner vehicle, or must my husband follow me and bring me home?"

You can hear the frustration in Beth's question to the Tesla Cybertruck Owners Facebook Group. She and her husband live in Grenada, California, three hours from the nearest Tesla Service Center.

They got a good deal on a used Cybertruck and now want to get the electric truck into the service center to get it checked out. Beth made the appointment with Tesla using the Tesla app. Now, they have to leave it for days. 

Will Tesla give them a loaner vehicle?

Here is the advice from other Cybertruck owners.

Luke Ryan says, "Request a loaner in the messages in your app."

Juan Castrellon, "Also show up as soon as they open (8 am). They will take you early, and you will have a better chance at a loaner as they are first come, first serve."

Kevin Hoff, "Ask for whatever car you'd like! I just got the S Plaid for a loner, but you only get 200 miles daily for free, and then you pay."

Addam Kuzman, "If it's covered under warranty and more than a day, they'll provide a loaner as long as they have one available. It'll show up in your appointment profile in the app. You'll have to upload your license and proof of insurance when they ask. I would still message them through the app to confirm a few days before arrival. My Cybertruck is going in on Friday, and I'll be waiting for it. Where it says "waiter," it should say "loaner" for you."

Does Tesla Provide Loaner Vehicles?

Tesla provides loaner vehicles to customers needing service, particularly for warranty repairs, if the estimated repair time is more than four hours. Loaner availability is subject to the specific service center and might be communicated through the Tesla app or by the service team. 

Does Tesla give loaner vehicles to used Cybertruck customers coming in non-warranty service? 

While Tesla is known to offer loaner vehicles for warranty repairs, the availability for out-of-warranty repairs is less guaranteed. Tesla may provide loaners for out-of-warranty work on a "goodwill" basis, but it's not a standard practice. Loaner availability also depends on factors like service center workload and the length of the repair. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Warranty Repairs: Tesla generally prioritizes providing loaner vehicles for repairs covered under warranty. 
• Out-of-Warranty Repairs: Some service centers may offer loaners for out-of-warranty work, but it's usually considered a courtesy or "goodwill" gesture. 

Factors Influencing Loaner Availability

1. Repair Time: Tesla generally requires a repair to take over a day for a loaner to be provided. 
2. Service Center Load: Busy service centers may not be able to offer loaners, especially for non-warranty work. 
3. Customer Demand: You may need to ask for a loaner explicitly, as Tesla may prioritize offering Uber/Lyft credits instead. 
4. Alternative Transportation: If a loaner isn't available, Tesla may offer other transportation options, such as Uber/Lyft credits, as stated in the Cybertruck Owners Club thread. 
5. Cybertruck Specifics: While Cybertruck is a new model, the general principles regarding Tesla's provision of loaner vehicles apply. 

Does Tesla give loaners for the life of the vehicle?

A Reddit user says, 

Top Contributor Nakatomi2010 says, "I spoke to the Tesla dealer at the Tampa, FL service center about the loaner policies because I was surprised someone with an older car had a loaner. The loaners come from the location's used inventory. If there are no used vehicles at the service center, then you're not getting a loaner."

"If the maintenance is going to be "same day," then you don't get a loaner, except under some unique circumstances."

"If the maintenance will take more than a day, you might get a loaner."

"If the vehicle is outside of the warranty, you may or may not get a loaner, depending on availability and the repair's cost and/or severity. For the most part, they play it by ear."

Memofor says, "Good question, I brought my 2018 Model 3 to service recently it had issues accepting the latest software update. They tried all day on a Friday but had to wait to hear back from engineering in California. Long story short, they gave me a free loaner for the weekend. After all these years, I'm still a happy Tesla customer."

Conclusion

Beth took the advice from other Tesla Cybertruck owners and asked Tesla for a loaner vehicle while her truck was in the service center getting checked out. The community support was invaluable in this process.

She says, "Thank you everyone. I have a loaner reserved and waiting for me."

Now, her husband won't have to drive three hours, follow her to their CT appointment, and drive her back home. It's a relief to have this sorted out.

It's Your Turn

What is your experience with Tesla providing a loaner vehicle for non-warranty repair? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know. Your experiences are valuable and can help others who have recently purcahsed a used Cybertruck or another model. 

Check out my Tesla Cybertruck story: Tesla Cybertruck Owner Says, “My Tesla Service Center Refuses To Address the Excessive Wind Noise, No Matter What I Ask For Even Out of Pocket, I Get Denied”

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl