Tesla has quietly updated its Parts Catalog (EPC) to now allow direct-to-consumer sales of select parts in the US, marking a significant shift from Tesla’s traditional model.
Traditionally, purchasing parts for a Tesla involved navigating one of two routes. Owners either had to visit a Tesla Service Center, which could involve long wait times or scheduling difficulties, or rely on third-party repair shops approved by Tesla. For those who preferred DIY repairs or sought faster solutions, these limitations often proved frustrating.
Tesla has not officially announced this policy change, but a new note in the Parts Catalog says the direct-to-consumer online ordering is now available “for a subset of parts,” but that the selection of parts will be “expanded with future releases.” (h/t: @cybertrkguy)
Unfortunately, this new program is not available in Canada yet, but in the US customers can now order some common parts, such as brake rotors, which for a 2017-2023 Model 3 can be ordered for US$100 each, with the website giving us an estimated delivery date of January 12, 2025 using an address in Washington State.
So far we have only been able to find the new ‘add to cart’ button for the brake rotors and calipers, but if anyone finds any other parts available for purchase, let us know in the comments below.
While the list of available parts remains modest for now, and only includes the Model S3XY, the change indicates Tesla will be expanding its direct-to-consumer offerings to allow access to a broader range of components. Presumably the Cybertruck will be added in the future as well once parts for that vehicle become more plentiful. When paired with Tesla’s online Service Manual, this shift will not only give owners the opportunity to perform more routine maintenance at home, it will also reduce the cost of ownership by eliminating additional service and labour fees.
One of the driving forces behind this change is likely the increasing number of Tesla vehicles on the road. As the company continues to scale production and deliver close to 2 million vehicles annually for the last two years, demand for replacement parts and repairs naturally grows. By making parts more accessible, Tesla is addressing this demand head-on by ensuring that owners can maintain their vehicles, which also helps alleviate the demand on Service Centers.
