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Tesla Return Policy: Vehicles, Accessories & Refunds Explained

Tesla does things differently from most car makers, and that includes how returns work. You might remember the old “7-day no-questions-asked” car return promise – that’s gone. Today, returns are split between two very different worlds:

  • Vehicles – handled under a formal Motor Vehicle Order Agreement plus local consumer law.
  • Tesla Shop accessories & merchandise – handled under a clear written returns page, which changes by region.

This guide breaks down how Tesla’s current return setup works in plain English, so you know what’s realistic for a car order and what’s easy for accessories and merch.

Big Picture: How Tesla Returns Work Now

Here’s the short version before we go detail-by-detail:

  • Vehicles:
    • No more public 7-day “no-questions-asked” return program for new cars.
    • You can usually cancel your order before delivery (refund rules for order fees depend on your specific Order Agreement and local law).
    • After delivery, any “return” is mostly about cancellation rights under your contract and local consumer law (for example EU cooling-off rules), plus warranty if the car is faulty.
  • Tesla Shop (accessories & merch):
    • In many countries (for example the US and UK), unopened and unused accessories & merch can be returned within a set period (often 30 days) after delivery.
    • Opened but unused items may be returnable with a restocking fee.
    • Used or installed accessories are generally not returnable.
    • Some regions (for example certain Asia-Pacific markets) label Tesla Shop items as non-returnable at all.
  • No exchanges: Tesla Shop doesn’t do direct exchanges – you return (if eligible) and place a new order.

So: cars = contract and local law; accessories = written Tesla Shop policy that depends on your country.

Part 1 – Tesla Vehicles: Cancellation vs “Returns”

1. The old 7-day return policy is gone

Tesla used to advertise a very generous car return program: you could return a new Tesla within seven days (and under 1,000 miles) for a full refund if you weren’t happy. That program was removed quietly in 2020, and the public “7-day return” language disappeared from Tesla’s site.

As of 2026, Tesla does not publish a universal, no-questions-asked vehicle return policy. Instead, everything is governed by:

  • Your Motor Vehicle Order Agreement (sometimes called Motor Vehicle Purchase or Binding Order Agreement).
  • Local consumer law in your country or state (for example, EU distance-selling withdrawal rules).

2. Cancelling your car order before delivery

Once you place an order and pay your order fee, Tesla starts preparing your vehicle. The Order Agreement normally says something along these lines:

  • Until your Vehicle is delivered to you, you may cancel your order at any time.”
  • What happens to your order fee if you cancel varies:
    • Some versions of the agreement say the order fee is generally non-refundable and can be kept by Tesla as liquidated damages.
    • Other regional versions (for example certain EMEA agreements) say the order fee will be refunded, but still keep some room for Tesla to retain it if you breach the contract.

Because Tesla updates the wording by region and over time, two buyers in different countries – or even at different dates – can have slightly different rules. The only “official” answer for your order is in the exact PDF or online Order Agreement you accepted.

In practice, cancelling before delivery looks like this:

  1. You go into your Tesla Account, choose your vehicle order, and look for a Cancel or “Request cancellation” option, or you contact Tesla directly.
  2. You confirm that you want to cancel.
  3. Tesla processes the cancellation and refunds what your specific agreement promises (often the purchase price if already paid, sometimes with the order fee kept, sometimes not).
  4. Refunds can take a couple of weeks to hit your card or bank statement.

3. After delivery: can you “return” a Tesla car?

Once you accept delivery and drive away, there is no global, public “you can just bring it back” rule anymore.

What can still give you a return-like option:

  • Cooling-off and cancellation rights in your region (for example:
    • In many European countries, consumers may have a 14-day withdrawal right for distance contracts. How exactly that applies to a Tesla handover is a detailed legal question and may come with conditions about mileage and damage.
  • Misrepresentation or serious issues – if the car is not as described or has major problems, your local consumer law might allow you to reject it or demand a fix or replacement.
  • Voluntary goodwill – occasionally, Tesla may agree case-by-case to unwind a delivery, especially if it’s very recent and the car has very low mileage.

But there is no longer a universal, written guarantee on Tesla.com that any new car can be returned within a certain number of days for a full refund. If you’re thinking about returning a Tesla after delivery, it’s wise to:

  • Read your Order Agreement’s cancellation and return sections.
  • Look up local consumer protection rules (or talk to a qualified advisor).
  • Contact Tesla quickly through your account or local support channel and ask what is possible in your case.

4. Used and inventory vehicles

Tesla also sells used and “inventory” vehicles. These are still covered by a Motor Vehicle Order Agreement and often include:

  • A limited used-vehicle warranty.
  • Order fee and cancellation rules similar to new cars.

Any “return” after delivery is still a mix of contract terms and local law, not a simple online return policy like a clothing store.

Part 2 – Tesla Shop (Accessories, Chargers & Merch)

By contrast, the rules for returning accessories and merchandise are much clearer – though they still vary by country.

1. Tesla Shop (US and many European markets)

In a lot of regions (for example the US and UK), Tesla’s central “Returns and Cancelations” page for the Tesla Shop explains the basics:

  • Return window:
    • Unopened & unused vehicle accessories and merchandise bought from the Tesla Shop or a Tesla retail location can be returned within 30 days of receiving the product.
    • Opened but unused items can also be returned within 30 days, but Tesla may charge around a 15% restocking fee.
    • Wall Connectors & Mobile Connectors often have a longer window (for example up to 60 days in the US) and may also be subject to restocking fees if opened.
  • Condition:
    • Items must be in original condition, with original packaging, all parts, and no signs of use.
    • Used or installed accessories are not eligible for return.
  • Non-returnable items (examples):
    • Used or installed vehicle accessories, chargers, apparel or lifestyle products.
    • Service-installed vehicle accessories once picked up from a Tesla location.
    • Items missing original packaging or parts, broken or incomplete kits.
    • Specific items like Cyberwhistle and Paint Repair Kits.
    • Tesla gift cards.

Tesla Shop also notes that exchanges are not offered: if you want a different size or colour, you return the eligible product for a refund and then place a new order.

2. Regional differences

Tesla’s accessory policy is not identical everywhere:

  • In some markets (for example Australia), the official returns page says:
    • Unopened Wall Connectors, vehicle accessories, apparel and merchandise can be returned within 14 days of delivery.
    • Opened but unused items may be returned but face a 15% restocking fee.
  • In other regions (for example some Asia-Pacific pages like Macau or Malaysia), Tesla writes that vehicle accessories and merchandise are non-refundable and non-returnable, except for defective or damaged items.

So it’s important to look specifically at the Tesla Shop Returns page for your country to know whether you have a 30-day, 14-day, or “no returns” rule on accessories.

3. Tesla Diner & in-person merch

Tesla has started selling merch at special locations like Tesla Diner. For those purchases, the policy on many support pages is:

  • Merchandise from Tesla Diner is final sale, except for damaged or defective goods.
  • If something is damaged or defective, you typically have about two weeks from purchase to bring it back to the same location for a refund.

4. How to start an accessory return

For Tesla Shop orders, the process is standardised:

  1. Sign in to your Tesla Account.
  2. Go to the Tesla Shop and open your Order History or order details.
  3. Select the order and choose “Start a Return” for items that show as eligible.
  4. Complete the short questionnaire (item, quantity, reason for return).
  5. Once Tesla reviews and approves your request, they send you a prepaid return shipping label by email.
  6. Pack the product, attach the label, and ship it back to Tesla’s warehouse.

For items bought in person at a Tesla retail location, you usually need to bring them back to a Tesla Sales, Service or Delivery Center that handles retail returns. Service Centers cannot process refunds for online Tesla Shop orders.

5. Refund timing for accessories

Once your accessory or merch return arrives at Tesla’s warehouse and passes inspection:

  • Refunds are typically processed within about 7–10 business days in many regions.
  • Refunds go back to the original payment method.
  • If you paid with a Tesla gift card, the refund comes back as a balance in your Tesla Account (or split between gift card and card payment if you used both).

Bank and card providers may add a few more days before the money shows on your statement.

Part 3 – Practical Tips Before You Buy

For a Tesla vehicle

  • Read your Motor Vehicle Order Agreement carefully – especially the sections on cancellation, order fees, and local legal rights.
  • Know your local consumer law: rules around cooling-off periods, distance-selling, and defective goods vary a lot by country or state.
  • Inspect thoroughly at delivery: walk around the car, check panels, glass, interior, and software before you sign off.
  • Act fast if something is seriously wrong: contact Tesla straight away and document issues with photos and notes.
  • Don’t assume there’s a 7-day return: that program is gone; anything after delivery will depend on your contract and local rules.

For Tesla Shop accessories & merch

  • Check your country’s Tesla Shop Returns page for the exact number of days (30, 14, or none).
  • Keep packaging and all accessories until you’re sure you’re keeping the item.
  • Don’t install it if you think you may send it back; installed or used parts are usually ineligible.
  • Use the official “Start a Return” flow – don’t just ship items back without approval, as Tesla warns those may be refused.
  • Expect a restocking fee if you’re returning an opened but unused item in regions where that’s allowed.

Quick Tesla Return Policy FAQ

Does Tesla still have a 7-day car return policy?

No. Tesla removed the public 7-day “no-questions-asked” return program for vehicles in 2020. There is no global, automatic return window for cars today; everything depends on your Order Agreement and local consumer law.

Can I cancel my Tesla car order?

In most current Motor Vehicle Order Agreements, you can cancel your order any time before delivery. Whether your order fee is refunded or kept as liquidated damages depends on the exact wording of your Agreement and the law where you live.

How long do I have to return Tesla accessories?

In many markets (like the US and UK), unopened and unused accessories and merch can be returned within 30 days of receiving the product, and Wall/Mobile Connectors may have up to 60 days. In others (like Australia) the window can be 14 days, and in some Asia-Pacific markets accessories are marked as non-returnable. Always check your local Tesla Shop returns page.

Does Tesla accept exchanges?

For Tesla Shop purchases, no. Tesla says it does not offer exchanges. You return eligible products for a refund and then place a new order for what you want instead.

How long does a Tesla Shop refund take?

Once Tesla has received and inspected your return, refunds are usually processed within about 7–10 business days, and then your bank or card issuer may take a few extra days to show it.

 

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