A look at the first salvaged Tesla Model 3 auction

Last week, we reported on a Tesla Model 3 crashing head-on into a traffic light pole in what is likely the first major crash in Tesla’s new EV.

Now, we get a closer look at the aftermath as the vehicle shows up for salvage auction.

At the time, we didn’t know much about the accident other than assuming the owner must be devastated.

If you have a Model 3 right now, you must have reserved it almost 2 years ago and now we learn that the vehicle had only 490 miles on the odometer when it crashed – meaning the owner probably only had it for a few weeks.

The vehicle was posted on the Insurance Auto Auctions website this week and it shows that the vehicle was manufactured in December with the VIN #1492.

They released several more pictures of the Model 3 showing the aftermath of the front-end collision:

We can see that only the driver airbags were deployed and we get a closer look at how the crumple zone performed.

The Model S is known to be amongst the safest cars when it comes to front-end collisions due to its large crumple zone and the Model 3 benefits from a similar advantage, albeit of a slightly smaller size.

The lack of engine at the front serves to absorb the energy in the instance of a crash instead of pushing on the cabin.

Road safety agencies have yet to release the results from crash tests, and until then, crashes like this are likely going to be our best look at the Model 3’s safety level.

Electrek’s Take

It’s not surprising to see the car show up on a salvage auction considering the severity of the impact and the probably high cost of repair.

With this said, the vehicle will likely go for a high price considering it’s the first Model 3 to show up in a salvage auction.

It could be purchased not necessarily to repair it, but for parts or to be dismantled and studied.

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.