Preparing a Total Loss Vehicle for Transport

Describes how to prepare a total loss vehicle for transport.

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Warning
If the High Voltage (HV) Battery has sustained any type of damage, refer to TN-18-16-001, Inspect the Model 3 and Model Y HV Battery for Underside Damage.
If a vehicle has been classified as an unsupported vehicle or has been found to have a salvage title, the Tesla Collision Center or Tesla Approved Collision Center must:
  1. Inform Tesla that the vehicle is a Total Loss/Salvage Titled vehicle:
    1. If a Repair Order (RO) has not already been created in the Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC), create a Repair Order (RO).
    2. Fill out all requested information.
    3. Set the Repair Stage to "Total Loss."
    4. At the bottom of the page, go to the Total Loss drop-down list, and select "Generate Salvage Document."
    5. Provide a copy of the Salvage Document to the customer.
    6. Upload all photos.
    7. Select "Save."

      EPC will notify Tesla of the Total Loss.

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    Note
    Questions from Tesla Collision Centers and Tesla Approved Collision Center on Total Loss processing can be sent to unsupportedvehicles@tesla.com.
  2. Make sure the vehicle is safe to transport:
    1. Follow the steps in CD-23-16-001 to inspect the HV battery and make sure it is not critically damaged before proceeding.
      • If the HV battery is damaged (or damage is suspected), contact Tesla Collision Repair for guidance.
      • If the HV battery is not damaged (and no damage is suspected), continue to the next step.
    2. Determine if the First Responder Loop has been cut (refer to the model-specific Emergency Response Guide on the First Responders Information page for information about locating and cutting the First Responder Loop):
      • If the First Responder Loop has been cut, contact Tesla Collision Repair for guidance.
      • If the First Responder Loop has not been cut, continue to the next step.
    3. Determine if airbags have deployed:
      • If any airbag has deployed, contact Collision Repair for assistance.
      • If no airbags have deployed, continue to the next step.
    4. Check the remaining range/SOC (state of charge) as described in Discharge section of the appropriate Service Manual procedure HV Battery (RWD) (Remove and Replace), HV Battery (AWD) (7-Seat) (Remove and Install), or HV Battery (AWD) (Remove and Replace).
    5. If necessary, discharge the HV battery to less than 10% charge as described in the Service Manual procedure. If unable to discharge the battery as directed in the Service Manual procedure, contact Collision Repair for assistance.
    6. If the pyrotechnic fuse was replaced before the battery was discharged, remove the pyrotechnic fuse and place it in the vehicle.
    7. If the vehicle:
      • Was not drivable when it arrived: Remove the pyrotechnic fuse and place it in the vehicle.
      • Was drivable when it arrived: Ensure that the vehicle is still drivable.
    8. Reinstall all parts that were removed during the estimate process; if reinstallation is not practical, place those parts in the vehicle.
    9. Prepare the vehicle for transport.