BUYING A USED TESLA IN TEXAS: PRINTABLE CHECKLIST
Tesla Owners Club of Austin. Community guidance, not legal or mechanical advice.
Sources checked October 15, 2026:
  Texas DMV, Buying or Selling a Vehicle: https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle
  Tesla Support, How to Add or Remove Vehicles in the Tesla App: https://www.tesla.com/support/how-add-or-remove-vehicles-tesla-app

STAGE 1: BEFORE ANY DEPOSIT
[ ] 1. Get the VIN and match it to the title, the listing and the car.
[ ] 2. Run a title, lien and history check (Texas DMV offers Title Check).
[ ] 3. Check open recalls by VIN with Tesla.
[ ] 4. Ask Tesla or the seller for proof of remaining warranty now. Do not wait until after transfer.
[ ] 5. Ask which software, upgrades, credits and subscriptions the seller expects to transfer. Some may not.
[ ] 6. If a lien exists, agree in writing how and when it will be released.
[ ] 7. Plan a meeting at the county tax office if this is a private sale.

STAGE 2: ON INSPECTION
[ ] 8. Inspect in daylight with the car parked. Bring a qualified EV technician if you can.
[ ] 9. Body, glass, panel gaps, paint mismatch, tires and wear pattern.
[ ] 10. Cabin AC cooling performance.
[ ] 11. Charging port, latch and a real AC charging test.
[ ] 12. Count keys and key cards.
[ ] 13. Underbody and battery area: professional lift inspection only. Never crawl under a car that is not properly supported.
[ ] 14. No high voltage DIY of any kind.
[ ] 15. Do not test drive a car with damage that could affect safety.

STAGE 3: AT HANDOVER
[ ] 16. Seller signs the title and records the date and odometer reading.
[ ] 17. Complete Form 130-U with the sale price, signed by buyer and seller.
[ ] 18. Collect supporting documents, including any lien release.
[ ] 19. Private sale: go to the county tax office together with the seller if possible.
[ ] 20. Have proof of insurance (title only transfers are the exception).
[ ] 21. Dealer sale: the dealer files the title; keep your receipt.
[ ] 22. Plates: Texas metal plates are effective July 1, 2025. Do not rely on temporary paper tags.
[ ] 23. Seller keeps the car in their Tesla account until they no longer own it. Do not strand the handover without a working key.
[ ] 24. Seller does not factory reset or erase prematurely.

STAGE 4: FIRST 48 HOURS
[ ] 25. Tesla app, top right, My Products, Add Product. Submit VIN and documents to Tesla.
[ ] 26. Keep the car on WiFi and the app updated.
[ ] 27. Transfer can take 48 hours or longer if documents have issues. It is not guaranteed.
[ ] 28. Being added as a driver is not ownership. Only one owner account per vehicle.
[ ] 29. While pending, use Destination, Wall Connector, Mobile Connector or compatible third party charging. Full Supercharger access comes after transfer.
[ ] 30. After transfer, the seller removes the vehicle from their account.
[ ] 31. File title transfer within 30 days of sale.

STOP BEFORE PAYMENT IF
  The VIN does not match the title or the car.
  The seller will not share the VIN or the title.
  The title is salvage, rebuilt or has an unexplained brand, or a lien has no written release plan.
  The seller wants payment before signing the title.
  The seller pushes you to skip inspection or the county office.
  Warranty or software claims cannot be shown with proof.
  There are warning lights, damage near the battery or signs of flood.