Pre-Owned Taycan Purchase - Common Issues to Look For?

[heinrich321]

Hello! I'm in the market for a used Taycan and have recently found a used 2020 4S with 12k miles for ~$70k. Besides the price (I think it's a little high but in the ballpark) what are common things/problems I should look for that are specific to Taycans?

Things I have seen others mention so far:

1. PCM issues? I saw that maybe the 2020's were slower than new ones? Or is this more that older models need software updates?

--> Are software update OTA or do you have to go to Porsche to do them?

2. I have seen some mentions of recalls. What are the most common recalls, TSBs, etc. ?

3. Battery life --> I saw some people have issues with cells and (potentially) have to replace the entire pack. How common is this?

4. I'm looking at models with the Performance battery Plus. Any issues with it versus the smaller battery?

5. Adaptive Cruise Control... I'm trying to figure out how to know if it has it? What SKUs would I look for to ensure this?

6. Extended warranty options... This particular model is being sold at a non-Porsche dealership and has 7 months remaining on factory warranty. If I wanted to extend this through Porsche (non-3rd party) what is the best (and least expensive?) way to do this?

Appreciate any feedback. Coming from a Mustang Mach-E and Ford Lightning. Don't expect to have a perfect experience with new EVs (those two are far from perfect...) but have always wanted a Taycan and now they seem to be a bit more affordable.

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[allroadusa]

Hello and welcome,
I'll answer for the #5 ACC
Just look at the front radar (see picture) or look for option code P49 on the build sheet.

 

[arijaycomet]

1- Software updates should be OTA. There are some changes in '21 and later cars such as Plug and Charge features working (a 2020 will never have PnC because it lacks hardware is my understanding). I don't recall the PCM being updated in '21 but I admit to not being the right person to answer that.

2- There are a lot of small TBSs for things like a ACC bracket, or the most recent being the cable that came with the car (EVSE/charger) has a known 240v issue and they haven't yet released a replacement. You should visit the NHTSA web page and plug in the VIN to make sure the car is current.

3- Full on battery replacement is not common in -any- EV (other than the Bolt recall and even that I think less than a dozen total cars ever had an issue; but it was out an an abundance of caution). Don't let news media scare you; but if you're a MME owner you know that already

4- Not that I've heard; just more range benefits, no negatives

5- Two easy ways to tell; the first was already shown in post above and fastest way to tell when shopping online is look for that black bulbous thing. Second way to tell: look at the lower left stalk on steering column. If it has the "distance" adjuster up/down then it has ACC/PID features. Note that if you have ACC you can FoD (feature on demand) add PID, but most of us think wasteful to bother.

6- I don't personally have extended warranty experience but I've heard mixed reviews. If there is a high-end dealer near you (read: a used car dealer who specializes in high end cars) I'd start there and ask their opinions. Or, ask your nearest Porsche service center if they've had feedback from non-CPO owners?

Shameless plug:
Based on your wants/needs/desires for AWD + ACC + ~$70k -- be sure to check out MY 4CT FOR SALE -- Ohio is not far from you

PS: Some folks have shared links here for people to comment on builds/etc so you can always do that. But keep in mind that can be very subjective

 

[W1NGE]

Hello! I'm in the market for a used Taycan and have recently found a used 2020 4S with 12k miles for ~$70k. Besides the price (I think it's a little high but in the ballpark) what are common things/problems I should look for that are specific to Taycans?

Things I have seen others mention so far:

1. PCM issues? I saw that maybe the 2020's were slower than new ones? Or is this more that older models need software updates?

--> Are software update OTA or do you have to go to Porsche to do them?

2. I have seen some mentions of recalls. What are the most common recalls, TSBs, etc. ?

3. Battery life --> I saw some people have issues with cells and (potentially) have to replace the entire pack. How common is this?

4. I'm looking at models with the Performance battery Plus. Any issues with it versus the smaller battery?

5. Adaptive Cruise Control... I'm trying to figure out how to know if it has it? What SKUs would I look for to ensure this?

6. Extended warranty options... This particular model is being sold at a non-Porsche dealership and has 7 months remaining on factory warranty. If I wanted to extend this through Porsche (non-3rd party) what is the best (and least expensive?) way to do this?

Appreciate any feedback. Coming from a Mustang Mach-E and Ford Lightning. Don't expect to have a perfect experience with new EVs (those two are far from perfect...) but have always wanted a Taycan and now they seem to be a bit more affordable.

Non-Porsche dealership - I would walk-away (honestly) - this is a Taycan and requires Porsche to support and maintain IMHO.

If Porsche serviced then all software updates (major ones which aren't OTA) will have been applied as part of a recall or service campaign. Use the VIN checker to verify most of this and then check with Porsche.

Battery has 8 year warranty (with some restrictions).

Do not buy without a warranty - a comprehensive one at that.

Check tyre wear (inside edges), alignment issues and so on. Again if sourcing OPC then this will be part of the pre-sale checks.

ACC - radar dome on the front as others have mentioned but also the build sheet for the car will list.

PCM should have the coloured icons to denote the major update applied as part of a global recall - if not, walk-away. Performance is fine in my experience and so I wouldn't dwell on that.

 

[PhilAZandON]

As you wryly imply, owning an EV in the early stages of this mode of transportation’s lifecycle is a very different experience than a century-old technology like ICE vehicles. You have experience with Ford EV‘s. I am 3+ years into owning a Jaguar I-Pace; and several months now with my Taycan T. The stuff that goes wrong is often much different than what we’ve grown to be accustomed to with gasoline powered vehicles.

Consumer Reports analysis of 330,000 late model vehicles showed full EV’s with 80% more problems than traditional ICE vehicles. Plug-in hybrids are worse yet, with 150% more problems. And get this, gas-electric hybrids have 25% FEWER problems than traditional gas powered vehicles.

My take away from this is:

- plug-in hybrids are the worst of both worlds: added complexity, and new technology

- pure EV’s suffer from being a new technology, and a widespread shortage of maintenance personnel who need to be as much a software troubleshooter as a traditional wrench mechanic

- gasoline-electric hybrids are now closer to mature technologies, and statistically this class benefits from the fact that the largest volume manufacturers are Toyota and Honda, with a long history of superior reliability.

I believe that the promise of EV reliability (many fewer moving parts meaning fewer things to go wrong) will play out over the next few years. And a new generation of auto mechanic will emerge, likely fewer of them more highly compensated.

Finally, a point on where you purchase your vehicle. I own a 991 911 that I bought from an independent dealer, the Jaguar was CPO from an official Jaguar Land Rover dealer, and my Taycan I bought privately. In my experience, there’s nothing wrong with buying a Porsche from an independent dealer or even privately.

Service departments in Porsche dealers are independent from sales departments. They are delighted to take Volkswagen AG’s money if the vehicle is under factory warranty, or your money if not. The service standard will be absolutely no different. Buying CPO from a dealer offers peace of mind, and one that you pay for, significantly.

And a sales guy in a Porsche dealership is no more likely to be honest or dishonest than with a reputable independent dealer. They are both on minimum wage and earn most of their income from sales performance. In fact, an independent dealer must live completely on their reputation while the used car sales person in a Porsche dealership can hide behind the glow of the manufacturers brand.

 

[W1NGE]

As you wryly imply, owning an EV in the early stages of this mode of transportation’s lifecycle is a very different experience than a century-old technology like ICE vehicles. You have experience with Ford EV‘s. I am 3+ years into owning a Jaguar I-Pace; and several months now with my Taycan T. The stuff that goes wrong is often much different than what we’ve grown to be accustomed to with gasoline powered vehicles.

Consumer Reports analysis of 330,000 late model vehicles showed full EV’s with 80% more problems than traditional ICE vehicles. Plug-in hybrids are worse yet, with 150% more problems. And get this, gas-electric hybrids have 25% FEWER problems than traditional gas powered vehicles.

My take away from this is:

- plug-in hybrids are the worst of both worlds: added complexity, and new technology

- pure EV’s suffer from being a new technology, and a widespread shortage of maintenance personnel who need to be as much a software troubleshooter as a traditional wrench mechanic

- gasoline-electric hybrids are now closer to mature technologies, and statistically this class benefits from the fact that the largest volume manufacturers are Toyota and Honda, with a long history of superior reliability.

I believe that the promise of EV reliability (many fewer moving parts meaning fewer things to go wrong) will play out over the next few years. And a new generation of auto mechanic will emerge, likely fewer of them more highly compensated.

Finally, a point on where you purchase your vehicle. I own a 991 911 that I bought from an independent dealer, the Jaguar was CPO from an official Jaguar Land Rover dealer, and my Taycan I bought privately. In my experience, there’s nothing wrong with buying a Porsche from an independent dealer or even privately.

Service departments in Porsche dealers are independent from sales departments. They are delighted to take Volkswagen AG’s money if the vehicle is under factory warranty, or your money if not. The service standard will be absolutely no different. Buying CPO from a dealer offers peace of mind, and one that you pay for, significantly.

And a sales guy in a Porsche dealership is no more likely to be honest or dishonest than with a reputable independent dealer. They are both on minimum wage and earn most of their income from sales performance. In fact, an independent dealer must live completely on their reputation while the used car sales person in a Porsche dealership can hide behind the glow of the manufacturers brand.

I would agree save that the Taycan is an EV and as we long termers all know (and have suffered the pain) the Taycan needs the mothership's full support behind it. If a non-EV Porsche I would be saying something different.

 

[heinrich321]

Thank you all for the helpful information! Really appreciate it.

Warranty and independent dealer question... So the one I'm looking at has ~7 months of the initial warranty left on it. I live in the Kansas City area and we have a Porsche dealership near me.

If I were to purchase this from the independent dealer, could I then go to the Porsche dealership and pay for an extended warranty from them? My thought is to try and make this part of the deal.

--> Also, I would want to make the recalls being fixed ahead of time part of the deal as well (maybe even pay for an inspection). I'm in no hurry as this would be a 2nd vehicle for me.

 

[allroadusa]

If you were living in Europe I would have answered yes for both (congrats for the Superbowl btw).
But I can't tell for the rules in the USA.

 

[W1NGE]

Thank you all for the helpful information! Really appreciate it.

Warranty and independent dealer question... So the one I'm looking at has ~7 months of the initial warranty left on it. I live in the Kansas City area and we have a Porsche dealership near me.

If I were to purchase this from the independent dealer, could I then go to the Porsche dealership and pay for an extended warranty from them? My thought is to try and make this part of the deal.

--> Also, I would want to make the recalls being fixed ahead of time part of the deal as well (maybe even pay for an inspection). I'm in no hurry as this would be a 2nd vehicle for me.

Yes I expect you can. Perhaps get the warranty extended via Porsche (they may want to inspect the car first) and potentially negotiate a lower purchase price for the car from the seller.

Check the car's service history as it could be all updates have been applied. The OTA ones will flow automatically once you renew the Porsche Connect services.

 

[4NIQUES]

6. Extended warranty options... This particular model is being sold at a non-Porsche dealership and has 7 months remaining on factory warranty. If I wanted to extend this through Porsche (non-3rd party) what is the best (and least expensive?) way to do this?

Check to see if it already has extended warranty - apparently the rules have changed since last year and extended warranty follows the vehicle and not the owner. Also, I would stick with the Porsche warranty - It’s simply the new car warranty, extended with additional benefits roadside assistance, valid in Canada and US, fully transferable, cover parts, labour and no deductible - Maximum possible warranty coverage is up to 15-years, including Limited New Car Warranty.

Good Luck

 

[MAPC]

It’s hard to know if your price is good or not without knowing the build. My experience (very recent) is that you should expect to pay approx 50% of MSRP for a reasonably low mileage 2020 4S. More if it is CPO

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