Analysts Give Tesla Model 3 Poor Score In Build Quality

When it comes to build quality, the Tesla Model 3 has a ways to go, according to analysis by financial firm UBS. A group of analysts from the firm tore down a Model 3 in order to see how it fared against electric cars from other, more established manufacturers. Though it did well in some categories, the Model 3’s construction was found lacking, according to Business Insider.

UBS told clients that the Model 3 had shoddy welding, missing bolts and other build problems that led to a poor rating in the “fit and finish” category. That put it well behind the cars UBS compared it to, the BMW i3 and Chevy Bolt. However, the Model 3 won out when it came to electronics and powertrain, per Business Insider.

Arguably the most worrisome aspect of UBS’s report is that the Model 3 is apparently difficult to service. Getting parts repaired or replaced in the event of a vehicular malfunction might be an expensive process.

These criticisms of the Model 3 could be inconvenient for Tesla, which needs the electric car to be a success in order to become profitable. The Model 3 faced serious production woes as recently as this summer, but Tesla sped up the process by constructing a large, tent-like assembly line outside its Fremont, California, plant.

CEO Elon Musk has tweeted photos and videos from the assembly line in recent months.

Tesla is confident enough in its ability to efficiently produce Model 3s that it opened up deliveries to the general public in July. The company also experimented with factory-to-home deliveries.

However, negative stories surrounding Tesla have persisted, even if Model 3 production is back on track. The company had to dispute reports that many customers were canceling their orders, and that it was asking parts suppliers for refunds. More recently, there have been concerns about Tesla’s plan to go private.