How a Tesla appointment works
Service is booked in the Tesla app, under the Service tab. The steps are the same whatever the problem:
- Describe the issue. Be specific: when it happens, any warning message on screen, and whether it is getting worse.
- Tesla runs remote diagnostics. Many problems can be read from the car's data before anyone touches it, and some are solved with a software fix.
- Tesla offers a type of visit. The three options are a Service Center visit, Mobile Service (a technician comes to you) or a Collision Center visit for body damage.
- Approve the estimate. Every appointment comes with an estimate you approve in the app. Warranty items show as $0, so you can see before the visit what is covered.
If the estimate includes something you did not expect, ask about it in the app before approving. Work that is not covered by warranty can also be done by an independent shop, so an estimate is a good moment to compare.
Mobile Service
For many jobs, Tesla sends a technician to your home or office. It is one of the genuinely convenient parts of owning a Tesla, and a little preparation keeps the visit from being wasted:
- Grant access in the app so the tech can unlock and work on the car without your phone or key nearby.
- Make the car easy to reach. Tesla says techs wait up to 15 minutes if they cannot get to the car. Mention gate codes, garage access and which parking spot.
- Do not install software updates that day. Tesla asks owners to skip updates on the day of a mobile visit, because the tech may have pushed one they need for the repair.
- Think about weather. On a Texas July afternoon or in a spring storm, a garage or covered spot makes the job easier for everyone. If you only have an open driveway, a morning slot is kinder in summer.
The fastest Mobile Service visit is the one where the tech never has to call you to find the car.
What usually stays with Tesla
- Warranty repairs. These must be done by Tesla. If something might be covered, start in the app first.
- Recalls. Recall repairs are free at Tesla. Our recall lookup lists recalls for your model year; check whether your car has one open by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- High-voltage battery work. Tesla says the high-voltage battery must be serviced only by trained technicians and should never be opened.
- Keys and security programming, unless the shop is registered with the NASTF Vehicle Security Professional registry, which Tesla requires in North America for security functions such as key pairing.
What independent shops can do
Out-of-warranty work can go to any shop, and Tesla has made that more practical than many owners realize:
- Manuals are free. Tesla publishes service manuals, wiring diagrams, DIY guides and its parts catalog at service.tesla.com at no charge.
- Parts are available to anyone through parts.tesla.com (with a free Tesla account) or at a Service Center.
- Deeper diagnostics are sold by subscription. Tesla's diagnostic software (Toolbox, Service Mode Plus) costs $75 a day, $150 a month or $700 a year. A shop that works on Teslas regularly is likely to have it; ask.
- Every car has a free on-screen Service Mode that shows active alerts, which helps any shop see what the car is complaining about.
In practice, the jobs owners most often take to an independent shop are tires, alignment, wheel repair, brakes, suspension parts, cabin and HEPA filters, 12V battery work, glass, paint and body repair, plus anything cosmetic like tint and PPF. Tire shops in particular should know to use lift points that are safe for a car with a battery pack under the floor.
Questions to ask an independent shop
- How many Teslas do you work on, and which models?
- Do you have Tesla's diagnostic subscription, or only the car's built-in Service Mode?
- Where do your parts come from: Tesla, or aftermarket? Can I choose?
- For alignment, do you have the specs and adapters for my model?
- For key or security work, are you NASTF VSP registered?
- Will you record the work in the car's Maintenance Summary?
Keep the history with the car
Tesla's cars now keep their own Maintenance Summary at Controls > Service > Maintenance (software 2024.44.25 or later). Owners and independent shops can record work there, and Tesla says the record survives a factory reset. Logging outside work there, plus keeping the invoices, gives the next owner a complete history, which helps resale. Tesla's warranty page says non-warranty work can go to any shop, but a poor repair is still a poor repair, so choose the shop carefully.
Local notes: finding a shop in your city
Our free directory lists independent shops in four Texas metros, each checked against the business's own website. There is no paid placement. Listings say only what the business itself states, so confirm Tesla experience when you call. For tires specifically, read EV tires before you shop.
Dallas–Fort Worth
NWS Fort Worth says large hail hits somewhere in the Metroplex nearly every year, so body and dent shops are part of most owners' list sooner or later. See hail season.
- Mechanical and EV repair
- Collision and body
- Hail and paintless dent repair
- Wheels, tires and detailing
More in the Dallas–Fort Worth guide.
Houston
If your car has been in flood water, do not drive it or plug it in. NHTSA says flood-damaged EV batteries can short circuit and catch fire, and that a damaged vehicle should not be parked in a garage or within 50 feet of a structure. Call your insurer and have it towed and inspected. The Houston directory includes collision centers that describe themselves as Tesla-approved.
More in the Houston guide.
Austin
NWS calls south-central Texas Flash Flood Alley. If your car has been in deep water, have it inspected before you charge or drive it. The Austin directory covers EV repair, collision repair that its shops describe as Tesla-approved, dent repair, and tires and detailing.
More in the Austin guide.
San Antonio
San Antonio is also in Flash Flood Alley; if your car has been in floodwater, have it towed rather than driven. The directory covers EV repair, collision repair (including a body shop that says it is Tesla-approved), hail repair and tire shops.
More in the San Antonio guide.
Sources
- Tesla service visits (checked October 2026)
- Tesla Mobile Service (checked October 2026)
- Tesla vehicle warranty (checked October 2026)
- Tesla vehicle maintenance and Maintenance Summary (checked October 2026)
- Tesla diagnostic software subscriptions and NASTF requirement (checked October 2026)
- Tesla parts and tools (checked October 2026)
- NHTSA recalls search (checked October 2026)
- NWS Fort Worth, DFW climate narrative (checked October 2026)
- NHTSA, hurricane and flood-damaged vehicles (checked October 2026)
- NWS Austin/San Antonio, Flash Flood Alley (checked October 2026)
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