The Model X is Tesla's large three-row SUV, defined by its falcon-wing rear doors. Those doors are the first thing to scrutinize on a used example: they're complex, and on older or hard-used cars they can misalign, develop sensor faults, or operate slowly. Open and close both fully several times, check that they auto-sense obstacles, and listen for unusual noises. Repairs to these mechanisms are not cheap, so a car with perfectly functioning doors is worth paying up for.
Like the Model S, older Model X vehicles (roughly 2015 to early 2018) used the MCU1 infotainment computer with an 8GB eMMC chip that wears out and fails. This was covered by a 2021 NHTSA recall of about 135,000 Model S and X vehicles, so confirm the fix was done or that the car has the newer MCU2. The X also uses air suspension, which is a known aging item, so verify it raises and lowers correctly and shows no faults on the test drive. The major dividing line is the early-2021 refresh, which brought a new interior, horizontal screen, the optional "yoke" steering wheel, and the tri-motor Plaid trim.
If you plan to tow, know that the Model X is rated to tow when properly equipped, but towing reduces range substantially, so plan trips accordingly. Verify applicable software recalls were applied, including the December 2023 Autopilot driver-monitoring update and the late-2024 rearview-camera fix on certain newer cars. As Tesla's flagship SUV, the X depreciates heavily but carries flagship repair costs, so prioritize clean service history, functioning doors and suspension, and remaining warranty where you can find it.
