11 year-models. One safe bet.

The most sorted pre-refresh Model 3 on hardware — the loud complaint count is almost all software behavior, not broken parts.

The rare first-year Model 3 — a collector curiosity with the oldest computer and the early-build gremlins, buy only with eyes open.

The most refined pre-Highland Model 3, and the quietest recent year — just close out the battery-disconnect and power-steering recalls.

The year the early-build gremlins fade — HW3 standard, MCU1 gone, but still a couple of hardware recalls to close.

Strong value and mostly sorted on hardware — but this is the vision-only year, so phantom braking is the thing to test.

A year of two halves — the early Austin cars are the rough ones, and the cars built from around September 2022 get the comfort suspension and a better 12-volt battery.

The best-sorted Model Y of the four, and the loudest complaint file — because by 2023 most of what owners report is software behavior rather than broken parts.

The first Model Y ever built, and it shows — six of its recalls need a physical repair, and the heat pump is a four-figure bill once the basic warranty is gone.

Still in the suspension-recall population but the year the FSD-capable HW3 computer arrived — a late-2019 build is the sweet spot, an early one is not.

The loudest year of the Model 3 and the heart of the early-build danger zone — buy one only with the suspension recall proven and the screen checked.

The loudest year for broken suspension parts — owners are losing lateral links and control-arm bushings before 30,000 miles, and no recall covers the wear.