This silver Model Y was sent to a salvage auction after a rear-end collision
April 8, 2025 at 13:11
- Brand-new Tesla Model Y wrecked with only 106 miles appears on Copart auction listing.
- Vehicle never left Texas before being rear-ended and listed for salvage in San Antonio.
- Repairing this Tesla could be pricey, particularly if any of the gigacasted parts are damaged.
It hasn’t even been a couple of months since Tesla began US deliveries of the new Model Y Launch Series, and already, here we are—salvage yard, round two. Hot on the heels of the one that crashed after just 197 miles (you know, the one we covered recently), this second barely-driven Launch Series is now up for auction, quietly awaiting its fate. The big question: is it worth saving?
More: Someone Already Crashed A 2026 Tesla Model Y Juniper After Only 197 Miles
This particular Model Y is listed through Copart out of San Antonio, Texas. After rolling out of Tesla’s Austin Gigafactory, it seems the car didn’t make it far—state lines likely stayed uncrossed before it was rear-ended. The odometer tells the story as it only covered 106 miles (170 km) before its early retirement.
The damage is significant, and regardless of what you think about Tesla’s bread-and-butter seller, it’s still unfortunate to see a brand-new EV end up like this.
If anyone wants to try and repair this Model Y, they’ll need to order an all-new tailgate, rear quarter panels, taillights, light bar, and rear bumper. Importantly, these are only the parts that we can see are damaged, and some damage may have also been done to the body structure of the new Tesla.
Here’s where things get tricky. Tesla uses gigacasting extensively in the construction of the Model Y, and the whole rear section is cast from a single piece. While this has allowed Tesla to slash production costs, gigacasting can make repairs more difficult and expensive, if available. Admittedly, some methods have been developed to repair Tesla’s gigacasted sections, but even still, it can be quite a complex process and is only something experienced shops should attempt to undertake.
Read: Tesla Finally Launches Cheaper Model Y Juniper
Ultimately, it might not be worth the hassle as The math might not work out for a repair.. While Tesla is no longer selling the Model Y Launch Series in the US, it has started selling the Long Range All-Wheel Drive, pricing it from $48,990, or $41,490 with the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. That makes it a very good option for anyone looking at a new all-electric SUV of this size.
Still, if someone out there wants a project (and likely a headache), Copart’s got the listing and you can check it out for yourself here.