Tesla model offered at ‘too good to be true’ price after bizarre website glitch – as savvy drivers rush to buy
SAVVY drivers briefly thought they’d bagged a bargain after spotting a bizarre glitch on the Tesla website.
Many buyers even got as far as confirming their purchase of a brand new Tesla Model Y for just £66 a month – before the EV maker back-tracked and cancelled all affected orders.
4A bizarre glitch on the Tesla website saw the Model Y available for a bargain priceCredit: Getty
4For a brief period, potential customers thought they’d bagged an incredible dealCredit: Getty
For several hours on July 1, potential customers were able to visit Tesla’s Model Y online configurator and pick up the popular EV – which is priced from £44,990 – for an outrageously cheap finance offer of just £80 a month with six months down, or as low as £66 a month with a £993 deposit.
Former Auto Express and Autocar editor Steve Fowler posted his findings on X, writing: “I’ve just bought myself a brand new Model Y for £66 a month, with just £993 down.
“Two year deal, 10k miles per year. Car turns up in a few weeks.”
He added: “You know when some things seem too good to be true? Let’s see…”
Andrew Brady of HeyCar UK wrote something similar, posting to X: “Tesla’s website is currently offering a lease deal of £80/month for a Model Y, seems too good to be true, right?”
The deal was indeed too good to be true, as Tesla later released a statement that admitted to a website error that “caused incorrect finance options to be displayed.”
Elon Musk’s brand then cancelled all affected orders and said it would refund the £200 order fee and any accessories purchased within the next three days.
When some X users questioned whether Tesla would be forced to honour the offer, Scott Dixon, a consumer champion and motoring disputes expert, said: “They should, but in reality, they probably won’t and don’t have to as it’s classed as an ‘invitation to treat’ – not legally binding.”
Sun Motors has approached Tesla for a comment.
The Tesla Model Y was the best-selling electric car in the UK in 2023, and it was recently awarded Autotrader’s New Car of the Year for 2024 for its value for money, drivability and styling.
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On sale since 2020, the Model Y is the company’s most affordable crossover and has a range of 283 miles per charge.
A facelifted version with a new front end and revised interior will be released in 2025.
Meanwhile, Sun Motors’ Rob Gill recently took the new Model 3 for a test drive, describing it as “light years ahead of other EVs.”
And Britain’s first Tesla Cybertruck – with 500-mile range – is up for sale for an eye-watering sum, but it’s not even road legal yet.
4One user revealed how they could put in an offer of £66 a month, with just £993 downCredit: x/SteveFowler
4Later it was revealed customers were receiving this statement – with the deal voided