Buyer stranded after discovering Tesla can't use Supercharger network due to salvage title

In the United States, a consumer named Daniel Boycott purchased a 2022 Tesla Model 3 from a used car dealership in September. Initially thrilled with his purchase, Boycott faced a significant issue when attempting to use a Tesla Supercharger. Despite multiple attempts at different stations, he found his vehicle unable to charge. Upon contacting Tesla, he learned that the car was categorized as 'unsupported for supercharging' because it was marked as a salvaged vehicle, leading to warranties being voided. This unexpected revelation turned his excitement into frustration and confusion, as he had trusted the dealership's claim that the vehicle had a clean title and had been inspected properly. Upon reviewing the CARFAX vehicle history report post-purchase, Boycott discovered that the car had indeed been involved in a 'minor accident,' which was not conveyed to him prior to the sale. The condition of the repairs was described as inadequate by a Tesla technician, who mentioned that the poor repairs were serious enough for Tesla to flag the vehicle. For Boycott, the Supercharger network was a key factor in his decision to buy the Tesla, and without access to it, he is now struggling with the feasibility of using the car for longer trips. Fred Lambert, the editor-in-chief of Electrek, indicated this type of situation has been somewhat controversial, noting that there have been at least one other instance where a vehicle with a clean title ended up being labeled as salvaged within Tesla’s system. This scenario raises concerns about transparency and the potential risks that buyers face in the used vehicle market, especially with electric vehicles that rely heavily on proprietary charging infrastructure. Boycott is still negotiating with the used car dealership to resolve the issue and urges potential buyers of used electric vehicles to conduct thorough research and scrutiny into the history of the cars they are considering purchasing. He stresses that understanding the complete background of a vehicle is critical, especially with the complexities involved in electric vehicle ownership and charging access.