How to Verify Battery State of Health (SOH) in Used 2023 Tesla Model 3 Lease Returns
The 2023 Tesla Model 3 was a benchmark year for the world’s most popular electric sedan. However, as the first wave of 12-month and 24-month lease returns hits the used market in 2026, prospective buyers face a unique challenge. Unlike a traditional internal combustion vehicle, where a high-mileage engine can be assessed by sound or oil quality, an EV’s “engine”—the battery—is a silent black box.
In the 2023 vintage, Tesla utilized two distinct battery chemistries: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) for the Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) models and Nickel Cobalt Aluminum (NCA) for the Long Range and Performance variants. Understanding how to verify the State of Health (SOH) of these specific packs is the difference between a savvy investment and a costly mistake.
1. The 2023 Battery Landscape
Before diving into the diagnostics, you must identify what you are testing.
- Model 3 RWD (LFP): These packs are incredibly durable and designed to