Yes, Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) capability typically stays with the car when it is sold or transferred to a new owner. It is considered a feature of the vehicle itself, linked to its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), not the Tesla account of the individual who purchased it. This is a crucial point for both sellers and buyers to understand, as it directly impacts the car's resale value.
However, there are important exceptions. The permanence of FSD can depend on how the car changes hands. If you sell your Tesla privately to another individual, the FSD feature should transfer seamlessly. The same is generally true for trade-ins at most dealerships. The major caveat involves Tesla itself. If you trade the car directly back to Tesla, the company has been known to remove premium software features like FSD before reselling the car as a used vehicle. This practice has been a point of contention among owners.
Therefore, if you are selling your car privately, you can confidently advertise it as having FSD. If you are a buyer, especially of a used Tesla from a third-party dealer, you must verify the feature's status. The most reliable way is to check the car's software screen under 'Additional Vehicle Information' to see "Full Self-Driving Computer" listed, or take a test drive and visually confirm the active FSD features on the touchscreen.
| Scenario | Does FSD Stay with the Car? | Key Consideration |
|---|
| Private Sale to New Owner | Yes, almost always | The feature is tied to the VIN and transfers automatically. |
| Trade-in to Non-Tesla Dealer | Yes, typically | The dealer acquires the car with all its features intact. |
| Trade-in to Tesla | Not guaranteed | Tesla may remove FSD and resell it as a separate add-on. |
| Buying a Used Tesla from Tesla | Check carefully | It may be sold without FSD, even if the original owner had it. |
| Buying from a Third-Party Dealer | Likely, but verify | Always confirm feature status on the car's touchscreen before purchase. |
| Vehicle Totaled by Insurance | No | The software license does not carry over to a replacement vehicle. |
