Tesla Model 3
2023 · Long Range Saloon 4dr Electric Auto RWD (282 ps)
58,892 miElectricAutomatic
£21,500
View Car
A TESLA MODEL 3 used to be a car many Hornchurch and Upminster buyers admired from a distance. Today, a used example may fit a more realistic budget—but a lower asking price is only part of the story. For Havering and Brentwood drivers, its value depends on what you will pay to charge, insure and maintain it, and whether its range suits your actual journeys. Here is how to check before committing.
The Model 3 offers a quiet, responsive drive, useful cabin space and access to Tesla’s charging network. It can make sense for someone travelling between Upminster, Romford and Brentwood, as well as for drivers who regularly use the A127, A12 or M25 at Junction 29. Electric driving also removes the need for petrol stops on routine journeys, provided you have a dependable way to recharge.
Price matters, but compare like with like. Battery and drivetrain versions, age, mileage, condition and equipment can differ substantially between advertised cars. Rather than choosing the cheapest listing, identify the version you want and compare its total cost with a similarly priced petrol, diesel or hybrid car. London Motor Company stocks a range of makes, including Toyota, Hyundai, Volkswagen and BMW, which gives you useful alternatives to consider alongside any available Tesla.
For many buyers, charging access decides whether a used Model 3 is genuinely good value. If you can charge at home, work out your electricity cost per kilowatt-hour and ask whether a suitable home charger can be installed. If you expect to rely on public charging, check the prices and availability of chargers you would actually use. Rapid charging is convenient for longer trips, but its cost can change the savings you expect from switching to electric.
Think through a normal week: school runs in Hornchurch, shopping in Romford or Lakeside, and any longer drives towards Chelmsford or beyond. Then plan for the less typical week when you cover more miles or cannot use your usual charger. A Model 3 should fit both, without requiring you to reorganise every journey around charging.
Do not treat an advertised range figure as a promise. Actual range varies with speed, temperature, heating, tyres and driving conditions. A journey that is easy in mild weather may need more planning in winter, particularly if much of it is at motorway speed. Check the specific car’s version and its published range, then allow a sensible margin for the way you drive.
If you regularly collect someone from Shenfield station or use Upminster station before making shorter local trips, maximum range may matter less than purchase price and charging convenience. If long-distance journeys are frequent, compare versions more carefully and consider where you would stop to charge.
Before deciding that a TESLA MODEL 3 used is cheaper to run, get figures for the car you intend to buy—not a general estimate for electric vehicles.
Finance rates and insurance premiums vary by applicant and vehicle, so a cheap-looking advert cannot tell you the full ownership cost. Ask LMC Cars for the details of the specific car and finance illustration you are considering, then compare them with your own insurance and charging quotes.
Havering is within London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone. A fully electric Tesla Model 3 meets ULEZ emissions requirements, so the ULEZ daily charge is not a reason to avoid a drive from Elm Park, Rainham or Harold Wood. That does not mean every London driving charge disappears: check the rules for any other charging zone on your route. Also remember that ULEZ compliance does not replace vehicle tax, insurance or parking costs.
For a Brentwood or Shenfield buyer who drives into Havering regularly, this certainty can be helpful. But it is still worth comparing a Model 3 with a ULEZ-compliant petrol or hybrid alternative if you cannot charge conveniently. The best-value car is the one whose costs work for your journeys, not simply the one with the most appealing fuel type.
Used EV buying calls for the same care as any other used-car purchase, plus a few electric-specific questions. Review the service and repair history, check for accident repairs, inspect the tyres and wheels, and test every function you expect to use. Confirm that charging equipment and access work as expected. Ask what remains of any manufacturer warranty for the particular vehicle rather than assuming all Model 3s have the same cover.
Check the MOT history where an MOT is required, paying attention to recurring advisories. In the UK, most cars need their first MOT three years after registration and then annually. An MOT is a snapshot of roadworthiness, not a substitute for checking condition. Take a test drive on roads that reflect your routine, including faster stretches if those are part of your commute.
A used Tesla Model 3 can be great value right now if its price, charging arrangements and running costs all add up for you. It is less compelling if convenient charging is unavailable or an insurance quote overwhelms the potential savings. Bring your mileage estimate, charging plan and insurance quote when you compare cars.
Visit London Motor Company at White Post Farm, Ockendon Road, Upminster, RM14 3PP, to discuss currently available cars and compare the Model 3 with alternatives that suit your budget. Contact the team before travelling to confirm the vehicle you want to see is in stock and arrange a test drive.
Browse our full range of quality used cars, or talk to our friendly team.
