Head to head · Saloon (EV)
Tesla Model 3 vs BYD Seal
On the measures that matter most to a used buyer — value retention, reliability, fuel economy and insurance — the BYD Seal comes out ahead of the Tesla Model 3, winning 2 of the 2 categories where the two differ.
| Measure | Tesla Model 3 | BYD Seal |
|---|---|---|
| Est. value, ~3 years old | £18,250 (2023, 36,500 mi) | £20,900 (2023, 26,000 mi) |
| Value kept after 3 years | 46% | 46% |
| Reliability (MOT-derived, /100) | 79 | 81 · wins |
| Average mpg | — | — |
| Insurance group | 35 | 27 · wins |
| Road tax / year | £195 | £195 |
| Typical annual service | £290 | £185 · wins |
Valuations are each model's ~3-year-old example at typical mileage, through the same model behind the profiles. Adjust mileage, trim and condition in the interactive comparison →
Model 3 vs Seal — quick answers
Which is more reliable, the Model 3 or the Seal?
The BYD Seal scores higher on Forecourt's MOT-derived reliability measure — 81 against the Tesla Model 3's 79 out of 100.
How much does a used Model 3 cost compared with a Seal?
A roughly three-year-old Tesla Model 3 is worth about £18,250 at typical mileage, against about £20,900 for the equivalent BYD Seal.