FAQ
Buyer questions
Hardware class, FSD branches, Supercharging codes, and the money model. Locked Tesla rows on the report are Unlock · $1.29.
Money model
- Free VIN check — unlimited Hardoptic reads.
- Unlock factory codes — $1.29.
- Hardoptic History — $7.50.
Can I upgrade a HW3 Tesla to HW4?+
Tesla has not announced a HW3 → HW4 retrofit. Do not price a used HW3 car as if an upgrade is coming. Ask Tesla about that specific VIN if a seller claims otherwise.
Will HW3 get FSD updates?+
Yes, but not the same stack. HW3 Model 3 and Model Y now get the v14 Lite branch (wide release July 2026). It is a distilled v14 — parking, unparking, and some city behavior — not the full HW4 v14 planner. HW3 Model S and X have not received Lite — confirm the version on the car. Tesla has not promised HW3 every future feature.
Does HW4 change range?+
No meaningful amount. Battery, wheels, tires, weather, and how you drive matter more than the Autopilot computer.
How do I confirm hardware on the car?+
Controls → Software → Additional Vehicle Information. Look for Autopilot computer 3 or 4 (Tesla may say Full Self-Driving Computer or AI4). That line beats this site.
Is hardware always exact?+
Tesla changed hardware mid-year by factory. Year is a clue, not proof. This site is a filter — the software screen on the car always wins.
What if I don’t have a VIN?+
Walk the front camera cluster. HW4 often has a red/magenta lens tint. Then open the software screen. The window sticker will not say HW3 or HW4.
Which cars can have SC01 free Supercharging?+
Almost only Model S and Model X ordered before 15 January 2017. Model 3, Y, and Cybertruck never got transferable SC01. Tesla CPO or buyback can strip it even when the year looks right.
Does purchased FSD stay with the car?+
Paid-in-full FSD usually stays on that VIN in a private sale. A subscription does not. Tesla often removes FSD from CPO / buyback cars. Tesla ended new paid-in-full FSD sales in 2026 — new cars are subscription.
Do Shanghai and Berlin VINs work?+
Yes. Prefixes LRW (Shanghai) and XP7 (Berlin) decode. Shanghai switched 1 Feb 2024. Berlin switched May 2024. VIN year alone is not enough — confirm on the car.
What is free vs paid?+
The VIN check is free and unlimited — hardware, Supercharging reading, buy/walk, and inspect sheet. A paid credit pulls Tesla’s record for that VIN. Node is 1 credit ($1.29), Array is 5 ($3.99), Cluster is 25 ($8.99), Fleet is 100 ($29.99). Credits never expire. No complimentary factory reports. No Tesla login. One credit is spent only when Tesla is queried.
Are the sample reports real cars?+
The 2024 and 2023 Model Y examples are public decoder VINs with valid check digits. The 2016 Model S is a constructed pattern example — labeled as such — used to show the SC01 window, not a listed car. None of them are testimonials or paid inspections.
How do I share a result?+
Every check has a stable report URL at /r/VIN. Copy the link or the summary. The paid Tesla record stays on the account that paid — it is not on the public URL.
Where does the data come from?+
The free Hardoptic read is a VIN pattern: factory, year, serial, and documented hardware / Supercharging windows. A $1.29 unlock pulls Tesla’s factory record for that VIN. NHTSA supplies the public build fields we show. Locked Tesla rows are Unlock · $1.29, not a dash.
Is Hardoptic affiliated with Tesla?+
No. Hardoptic is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tesla, Inc.
Why is battery health Unlock · $1.29?+
Tesla does not publish SoH on the free path. Unlock · $1.29 pulls the factory record. If Tesla returned no figure, the row stays hidden — we do not invent a percent.
Can I add a history report?+
Yes, as an optional paid add-on: Hardoptic History $7.50. History attaches to the share link after you pay. The panel stays empty until then — we do not invent accident or title rows. If a seller claims otherwise, confirm on the car.