TIL: Tesla parts department (Steve Lehto edition?)

"EL_ULY" (uly)
03/14/2016 at 12:11 • Filed to: tesla

We have 2 big Tesla service centers here in Houston. A parts dude that we know got hired at one and stopped by a little while ago to show off a P85D. He mentioned that there is a Model S driving around town that was declared a total loss (collision) BUT some body shop in town was able to fix it....

...well, he is still looking for random parts for his car. What the parts guy told us was that once a Tesla is declared a total loss, Tesla will NOT sell any parts for it (VIN specific parts search).

Here at Aston Martin, when I look up some body shop parts, some show a restriction. Basically, those body parts can only be purchased and shipped directly to a certified Aston repair shop. There is only one here and they work with us directly.

I understand those specific, usually carbon fiber structure, parts from Aston, but any parts for a Tesla is forbidden once it’s been declared a total loss seems a bit much. I guess that could be legal right? I guess it falls into that, “we have the right to refuse service” or something like that.

DISCUSSION (31)

Roadster Man > EL_ULY
03/14/2016 at 12:19

Of course it’s legal. They don’t even have to sell you a car in the first place if they don’t want to.

Xyl0c41n3 > EL_ULY
03/14/2016 at 12:21

Maybe it’s some sort of liability thing? Like, if it’s declared a loss, but then gets fixed, but then gets in a wreck or a replacement part fails or whatever, they don’t want to face some sort of culpability, so they’re like... fuck it, we just won’t risk it at all.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > EL_ULY
03/14/2016 at 12:22

That makes sense. They don’t want a lawsuit on their hands with replacement parts.

Do they have to provide a VIN to order parts?

Takuro Spirit > EL_ULY
03/14/2016 at 12:22

I’d err on the legality side of things. Or I’m sure Elon just doesn’t want some hood rat driving around in a slash priced salvage Tesla... or Tavarish.

It’d look bad for the brand.

EL_ULY > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
03/14/2016 at 12:24

I’m sure they do, we do here for any part at any of our 4 brands.

EL_ULY > Takuro Spirit
03/14/2016 at 12:25

Lol it’s not an impossible theory lol :]

GTI Sprinks > EL_ULY
03/14/2016 at 12:26

Makes sense and honestly not that surprising. I know in the much smaller bike world (still very litigious), carbon frames that get warrantied (and this happens often with the carbon frames) typically require the warranty shop to destroy the original frame (typically involves the use of sawing the frame in half or other more entertaining destructive means).

EL_ULY > Roadster Man
03/14/2016 at 12:28

true true

EL_ULY > GTI Sprinks
03/14/2016 at 12:29

Yeah I can see that, especially in the bike work. A frame is key and if there is any damage, it has to be destroyed

GTI Sprinks > EL_ULY
03/14/2016 at 12:32

Exactly. Although there are a few specialists leading CF repair work. I personally would love to get more into that field of work as the auto industry moves that direction.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > EL_ULY
03/14/2016 at 12:35

I’d bet it has everything to do with the HV system. That stuff takes special equipment to test, and if they missed a small imperfection when inspecting it could easily turn into a huge safety problem down the road. And the battery, it’s Li-ion after all, I know for a fact those are supposed to be replaced if any airbags go off. Like dropping a hover board down some stairs, or smashing your cell phone with a hammer. Since all of the parts that require replacement due to accidents, even without visible damage, exceed $40k easily I doubt they actually did most of that work.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
03/14/2016 at 12:37

Just from my experience at an aftermarket shop, that’s pretty much standard for anything that isn’t stocked on the shelf.

For example, the shop where I work does sunroofs every day and the bluetooth/onstar microphone from the 14+ GM trucks and SUVs likes to come apart when the headliner is dropped. It’s only a $20 part but the dealers we work with need a VIN to order one any time.

Steve in Manhattan > EL_ULY
03/14/2016 at 12:44

So have the person who owns the car sign a release.

Somewhere, there’s a wrecked Tesla that can serve as a donor car. Or someone can buy the parts for the guy. Come on!

EL_ULY > Steve in Manhattan
03/14/2016 at 12:51

When we look up parts here for any of our 4 brands, we have to have the VIN to do a vehicle search (policy, helps since a lot of things are VIN specific). Maybe at Tesla parts department, once the VIN is looked up, a message comes out saying not sell any parts?

Still, how hard can it be to get a part number and request to purchase it.

EL_ULY > GTI Sprinks
03/14/2016 at 12:57

I was talking to a guy that worked at Risi Competizine’s GTLM program at our local Ferrari festival (in which I am a judge). He did mention a position open for me at the moment but it required knowing how to make things with CF. Lol I have no clue

EL_ULY > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
03/14/2016 at 13:05

I figured that for sure. He did say that it included any parts, not just body/HV

JustAnotherG6 > EL_ULY
03/14/2016 at 13:07

its just resin and fiber mat.... not that big of a deal. If it is prepreg it is even less of a headache, just time heat and pressure at that point.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > EL_ULY
03/14/2016 at 13:16

I did carbon fiber construction and design all through college. Fabric laminates are not necessarily that difficult to work with...I’d say it took me the same amount of time to reach basic competence with vacuum bag fiber layup as it did with a standard machine shop. If you’re working in a professional shop that buys prepreg and has an autoclave it’s actually much, much easier.

EL_ULY > JustAnotherG6
03/14/2016 at 13:17

They have the tools and equipment to make the parts in one of their trailers. I guess I could learn

Raitzi > EL_ULY
03/14/2016 at 13:57

Tesla won’t sell parts? Meaning after warranty period owners are screwed?

EL_ULY > Raitzi
03/14/2016 at 14:05

Only if the car has been deemed a total loss. Owners can buy all the parts they want

jariten1781 > EL_ULY
03/14/2016 at 14:23

Pretty sure it's legal. Hell, there are some places where you cannot buy electrical/plumbing/HVAC stuffs unless you're certified peeps. It blows when you need a capacitor or something and you have to hang out outside the shop like a kid outside a gas station trying to get a scumbag to buy them cigs.

EL_ULY > jariten1781
03/14/2016 at 14:28

well, if it’s a wholesale electrical, A/C, plumbing supply shop I can see that. Mostly because the items are billed to shop accounts and you need a specific P.O. But it just seems odd if you need a interior trim piece or a outside mirror for example and because the car has been totaled, you can’t buy them

jariten1781 > EL_ULY
03/14/2016 at 15:05

Yeah, it’s silly both ways. Pre-internet there was literally regions of the country where you couldn’t buy pipe solder, flame sensors, starting caps, whatever, and even shit like .25 light switches without being licensed. There were literally folks in the phone book who advertised selling parts from their trucks to DIYers without charging for a service call (since most of them would). Home Depot/Lowes, when they went national broke those little regional monopolies for plumbing and electric, but it wasn't until online stores became a thing that you could get furnace/AC parts without a hassle. I bet, if Tesla keeps the policy, there'll be online shops that pop up who'll either make form fit function replacements or buy wrecked ones and build up a parts inventory to sell to folks who have been blacklisted from the official ordering system.

Raitzi > EL_ULY
03/14/2016 at 15:42

Ok. Makes sense. It is the reputation of the company on the line.

LOREM IPSUM > EL_ULY
03/14/2016 at 20:07

So all you’d need to order parts is a vin from a non totaled car. A challenge, but not unpossible.

Tapas > EL_ULY
03/14/2016 at 20:57

Wow, that sucks! The owner could find a fellow Tesla owner to order the part for him...

pip bip - choose Corrour > EL_ULY
03/15/2016 at 03:44

interesting to hear that.

EL_ULY > Tapas
03/15/2016 at 08:41

True, but only if it’s not VIN specific. Since Tesla cars are usually built to order (especially in Texas), most parts are

EL_ULY > LOREM IPSUM
03/15/2016 at 08:42

True, but since most Tesla in Texas are built to order (because No dealerships) it will be tough. But yes, that should be easy

Tapas > EL_ULY
03/15/2016 at 09:01

Damn...even trim parts and interior bits?