What is a TSMR car?
Find out why Tesla is listed as TSMR in US documents and insurance auctions and how to check its history.
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Why is Tesla spelled TSMR?
If you see TSMR on a US car registration or auction lot, that's the official California DMV code for Tesla Motors. Don't worry, it's a 100% genuine Tesla.
Request a full check of the car's VIN number, battery, service history, and Supercharging access with a CARFAX report.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the TSMR mark mean in the car registration document?
TSMR is the official four-letter Make Code used by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in the United States (most notably in the state of California) to identify Tesla Motors. Because government computer systems require standardized vehicle make codes for tax and registration purposes, Tesla is abbreviated as TSMR. Any vehicle marked TSMR is a 100% genuine Tesla vehicle (Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, Cybertruck, or Roadster).
Why do insurance companies and auctions list TSMR instead of Tesla?
Insurance companies, as well as large insurance auctions like Copart and IAAI, automate the generation of listings and insurance policies by pulling data directly from official DMV records and the National Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). Because the primary official document contains the TSMR designation, their software systems automatically transfer it to the lot title or insurance policy without converting it to the Tesla trade name.
How do you check the history of a TSMR car by its VIN number?
A TSMR vehicle is easily verified by its standard 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). By entering the VIN into our search engine, you can get a detailed CARFAX or AutoCheck report in real time. This report will reveal the vehicle’s full history: previous owners, service history from Tesla authorized centers, mileage readings, as well as critical insurance events (crashes, deployed airbags, floods, or issued Salvage/Rebuilt titles).
What are the risks when buying a TSMR brand car from an insurance auction?
When buying a crashed Tesla (TSMR) from an insurance auction, there are two main risks: first, damage to the frame geometry or direct impacts to the high-voltage battery housing, which are extremely expensive to repair and pose a fire risk; second, disabling Supercharging. Tesla monitors the registrations of defects and total loss in the US. If the car is registered with a Salvage or Junk Title, Tesla remotely disables the car's access to the fast charging network (Superchargers) for safety reasons. Checking the VIN history before purchase is mandatory to understand the severity of the previous impact.
Can a TSMR branded car be serviced at an official Tesla service center?
Yes, as TSMR vehicles are genuine Tesla vehicles, they are fully recognized by the Tesla mobile app and can be serviced at any official Tesla Service Center. However, it is important to note that if the vehicle has a Salvage Title (registered as a total loss), the factory warranty is completely void and Tesla may require a specialized paid safety inspection before allowing repairs to be made to the vehicle.
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