Tesla and BMW Owners Are Most Likely To Be Upside Down On Car Loans

In our recent CarEdge Negative Equity Report, we uncovered an alarming trend: 31% of those who financed their vehicles are currently underwater on their loans. In other words, they owe more on their cars than the vehicles are worth. Among electric vehicle owners, the rate of negative equity is even higher—46% of EV drivers are upside down on their loans. Two brands stood out with particularly high rates of negative equity: Tesla and BMW. Here’s a look at just how bad the situation is for owners of these two luxury car brands. 

Half of Tesla and BMW Drivers Are Underwater

The CarEdge Q3 2024 Negative Equity Report revealed that 52% of Tesla owners and 50% of BMW owners are underwater on their car loans in 2024. This is significantly worse than the industry average. Tesla owners had a median equity of -$1,718, the lowest of all car brands analyzed. In fact, Tesla was the only brand with a negative median equity. BMW drivers didn’t fare much better, with a median equity of just $421, ranking second worst among 16 brands.

How did we get here?

In 2023, Tesla slashed prices across its lineup by an average of 25%. For example, Tesla’s best-selling Long Range AWD Model Y now starts at $47,990, a drastic drop from $65,990 in late 2022. These sharp price cuts sent resale values plummeting, driving up negative equity among Tesla owners.

For BMW, the situation is less straightforward. While BMW retains about 63% of its value after three years—above average for a luxury brand—higher financing APRs have slowed equity growth. Coupled with falling resale values, BMW owners are struggling to stay above water.

A Recipe For Negative Equity: Tesla and BMW Drivers Take Out Longer Loans

Our Negative Equity Study also highlighted the impact of loan terms on negative equity. Drivers with shorter loan terms of 48 months had a median equity of $9,762, while those with 60-month loans saw a median equity of $7,041. However, longer loans of 72 or 84 months had a devastating effect on equity. Those with 72-month loans had a median equity of just $2,085, while 84-month loans left drivers with a median negative equity of -$4,920.

Tesla and BMW owners are particularly prone to longer loans. Tesla drivers had an average loan term of 66 months, with 65% of respondents having 72-month loans or longer. BMW drivers averaged 63 months, with 43% of them financing for 72 months or more. These extended loan terms put drivers at a higher risk of negative equity, especially when combined with the rapid depreciation often seen with luxury and electric vehicles.

👉 Download the CarEdge Negative Equity Report for the full picture.

What Drivers Can Do to Avoid Negative Equity

To avoid negative equity, drivers should consider sticking to loan terms of 60 months or less and making larger down payments whenever possible. Choosing vehicles with strong resale value can also help maintain equity throughout the life of the loan. For example, models like the Toyota Prius have consistently performed well in resale value rankings, while others like the Tesla Model X perform poorly. 

Another effective strategy to combat negative equity is simply keeping your vehicle longer. Drivers who frequently trade in cars are much more likely to be upside down on their loans, as depreciation outpaces the payoff of their existing loans.

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