Words: Richard Edwards
Published 8 January 2026
Tesla has announced a significant upgrade to its warranty programme in Australia and New Zealand, introducing a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty for new vehicles delivered from 1 January 2026.
The new Basic Limited Vehicle Warranty replaces the previous four-year, 80,000km coverage and applies to all new Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Tesla says it is a global first for the brand, covering critical components including corrosion protection, paint durability, and multimedia systems.
“Tesla Australia & New Zealand is thrilled to pioneer global firsts that redefine the driving experience for our customers,” says Thom Drew, Country Director for Australia & New Zealand.
“This update aligns with local market expectations and instils lasting confidence in Tesla ownership.”
The unlimited kilometre coverage applies to vehicles under normal private use. Commercial use vehicles – including rideshare, taxi, rental, courier, driving school, and emergency services applications – will be covered for five years or 150,000km, whichever comes first.
The warranty upgrade also includes five-year 24/7 roadside assistance across both markets.
How Tesla compares
The move brings Tesla’s vehicle warranty broadly in line with premium European competitors in New Zealand. Mercedes-Benz currently offers five years with unlimited kilometres, while BMW provides five years or 100,000km and Volkswagen offers five years or 150,000km.
Among dedicated EV brands, Kia leads with seven years or 150,000km on its electric vehicles, while BYD provides six years or 150,000km. Newer Chinese entrants vary – Leapmotor offers four years or 100,000km, while Polestar provides just three years.
New Zealand EV warranty comparison
| Brand | Vehicle Warranty | Battery Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla (from Jan 2026) | 5 years / unlimited km | 8 years / 160,000-192,000km |
| BYD | 6 years / 150,000km | 8 years / 160,000km |
| Kia (EVs) | 7 years / 150,000km | 8 years / 160,000km |
| Hyundai | 3 years / 100,000km | 8 years |
| Volkswagen | 5 years / 150,000km | 8 years / 160,000km |
| BMW | 5 years / 100,000km | 8 years / 160,000km |
| Mercedes-Benz | 5 years / unlimited km | 8 years / 160,000km |
| Polestar | 3 years | 8 years / 160,000km |
| Leapmotor | 4 years / 100,000km | 8 years / 160,000km |
Battery warranty unchanged
Tesla’s battery and drive unit warranty remains unchanged at eight years or 160,000km for Model 3 and Model Y rear-wheel drive variants, extending to eight years or 192,000km for Long Range and Performance models. All battery warranties include a minimum 70 percent capacity retention guarantee.
This battery coverage is consistent with most EV manufacturers in New Zealand, with BYD, Kia, BMW, Volkswagen, and Polestar all offering eight-year battery warranties with similar kilometre limits.
The announcement follows Tesla’s launch of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) in Australia and New Zealand in 2025, which the company says made it the world’s first right-hand drive market to receive the technology.
Full warranty terms and conditions are available at tesla.com/en_nz/support/vehicle-warranty.
