Tesla Experiences Unprecedented Exodus as Used Car Listings Soar and Sales Decline in 2025

Tesla’s tumultuous journey throughout 2025 continues to deteriorate, with new data indicating an unprecedented number of Tesla owners departing from the brand.

According to recent statistics from Cox Automotive, which oversees Autotrader, March 2025 marked a record high in the number of used Tesla vehicles available for purchase on the platform. As initially reported by Sherwood, over 13,000 Teslas were up for sale during the last week of March alone — a remarkable 67% increase in comparison to the same timeframe last year.

This uptick in listings is not indicative of a wider trend in the used car market but is specific to Tesla. Cox’s findings emphasize that no other automaker experienced such a notable spike in used vehicle listings, highlighting the brand’s distinct challenges.

As supply increases, prices are declining. As previously covered by Mashable, the resale value of used Teslas has significantly decreased, with certain models losing thousands of dollars. Forbes recently observed that the average price of a used Tesla Model Y has fallen by $6,000 over the past year.

The outlook for new vehicle sales is equally grim. Tesla’s global sales are sharply decreasing, with Germany witnessing a staggering 76% decline. Trade-ins have surged as well, leaving the company reportedly overwhelmed — even rejecting Cybertruck owners who wish to exchange their vehicles.

Tesla’s issues reach beyond the sales floor. CEO Elon Musk’s increasingly contentious role within the Trump administration seems to be distancing customers. Protests have emerged globally, directed at Musk’s political affiliations and his involvement with DOGE, a controversial federal initiative. Through DOGE, Musk has been associated with significant cuts to medical research funding and international aid programs, igniting backlash from consumers and advocacy organizations alike.

These political connections, alongside heightened competition in the electric vehicle market, are diminishing Tesla’s formerly loyal customer base. Even long-time owners are beginning to explore other options.

Stay tuned to Mashable for ongoing updates on tariffs, shifts in the tech industry, and consumer trends — including information on Nintendo Switch 2 preorder delays and the latest developments in iPhone 16 buying frenzies.