The end-of-year car deals are starting early!
With 2026 drawing to a close, plate clearance deals are beginning to appear across Australia, giving drivers an opportunity to explore offers on new vehicles before the year ends.
And Tesla is getting in on the action, offering an additional trade-in bonus of up to $2,000 on eligible Model 3 and Model Y purchases until 31 December 2026.
Here's what you need to know about the offer and how it could work alongside a novated lease.
Why Do Car Plate Clearance Deals Happen?
Towards the end of each year, car manufacturers and dealerships often introduce special offers to help clear existing vehicle stock before the new year arrives.
These promotions are commonly referred to as plate clearance deals and can include discounted drive-away prices, additional trade-in incentives or other limited-time benefits.
For drivers already considering a new car, this can be a useful time to compare what's available.
However, not every end-of-year promotion necessarily represents the best value. It's worth considering the vehicle's overall price, availability and any conditions attached to an offer before making a decision.
Tesla's 2026 Trade-In Bonus: Save Up to $2,000
Tesla has introduced a limited-time trade-in promotion for eligible customers purchasing a new or demonstrator Model 3 or Model Y.
Depending on the variant selected, customers could receive an additional $1,000 or $2,000 on top of their vehicle's assessed trade-in value.
The offer is available until 31 December 2026, with eligible customers required to both order and take delivery of their new Tesla by this date.
How Much Is the Tesla Trade-In Bonus?
The bonus depends on which eligible Tesla model and variant you choose:
- $2,000 trade-in bonus: Eligible Model 3 and Model Y Premium and Performance variants.
- $1,000 trade-in bonus: Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive variant.
The bonus is separate from the assessed trade-in value of your existing vehicle.
For example, if Tesla assesses your current vehicle's trade-in value at $15,000 and you're purchasing an eligible variant with a $2,000 bonus, the combined trade-in amount would be $17,000.
This additional amount could make upgrading to a new electric vehicle more appealing, particularly for drivers who were already planning to replace their current car.
Can You Combine Tesla's Trade-In Bonus With a Novated Lease?
Yes, Tesla's promotion specifically allows the trade-in bonus to be applied to eligible vehicles purchased through a novated lease.
A novated lease is a salary packaging arrangement that allows eligible employees to pay for a vehicle and its running costs through their salary, potentially providing tax benefits depending on their circumstances.
For eligible electric vehicles, the Australian Government's Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption can also make novated leasing an attractive option.
Under Tesla's offer, customers purchasing an eligible vehicle through a fully financed novated lease may receive their trade-in bonus as a post-delivery cashback payment, rather than a reduction in the vehicle's purchase price.
It's important to disclose the offer to your financier where applicable and confirm how the bonus will be handled as part of your lease arrangement.
At Remunerator, we can help you understand how a novated lease works and explore the available options when purchasing your next vehicle.
What Are the Conditions of Tesla's Trade-In Offer?
Before taking advantage of the promotion, there are a few important conditions to understand.
- Offer deadline: You must order and take delivery of your eligible Tesla by 31 December 2026.
- Eligible vehicles: The promotion applies to eligible new and demonstrator Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.
- Trade-in requirements: Your existing vehicle must be validly registered and legally drivable when traded in to Tesla.
- One bonus per order: A maximum of one trade-in bonus can be applied to each eligible order.
- Customer exclusions: Business customers, including fleet, enterprise, rental and government customers, are excluded.
- Vehicle availability: Tesla does not guarantee delivery before the promotion ends.
- Other promotions: The bonus may be combined with other eligible Tesla offers.
Purchases of used Tesla vehicles are not eligible.
Tesla may also modify, extend or terminate the promotion at its discretion.
Importantly, while the offer permits eligible novated lease purchases, customers should confirm their eligibility with Tesla, particularly where their purchase involves an employer or another business entity.
You can review the complete promotional conditions directly with Tesla Australia.
Is Now a Good Time to Consider a New Electric Vehicle?
With plate clearance promotions beginning to appear, the final months of 2026 could be a good opportunity to explore your next vehicle.
For drivers interested in electric vehicles, it's worth looking beyond the initial purchase price and considering factors such as charging requirements, running costs, driving range and available incentives.
Eligible electric vehicles purchases through a novated lease may also qualify for the FBT exemption, subject to the relevant eligibility requirements.
This means the potential benefit of a novated lease can extend beyond any promotional discount offered by the manufacturer.
Of course, it's important to compare the total cost of a vehicle and lease arrangement rather than focusing on an upfront incentive alone.
Explore Your Next Car With Remunerator
With 2026 plate clearance deals already beginning, now could be a great time to start exploring your options.
Whether you're interested in a Tesla Model 3, Model Y or another vehicle, our team at Remunerator can help you understand your novated leasing options and what your next car could cost.
Request a novated lease quote today and see what options are available to you.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Tesla's promotional offer is subject to eligibility requirements, vehicle availability and Tesla's terms and conditions. Promotional details may change without notice. Any potential novated leasing or tax benefits depend on individual circumstances and applicable legislation.