BBC radio icon Tony Blackburn has opened up on having to wait for months for his electric car to be repaired following a collision.
The BBC Radio 2 DJ’s Tesla Model 3 was hit on a motorway in December 2023, and has been off the road since, due to supply chain issues.
However, Tony said that the garage repairing his Tesla has been waiting for replacement parts for more than two months in a major frustration.
Speaking excluisively to Express.co.uk, he explained: “I was going to do a bit of filming for Morning Live, and a lorry went into the back of me on the M25, and it crunched the car. So, it’s been in a garage now for about two and a half months and it’s no further on because they’re waiting for Tesla parts, they just haven’t arrived.
“I rang the garage this morning and asked if the parts have come and they said no, but the problem is that Tesla don’t tell you what’s happening. In other words, they don’t give you an estimated time of arrival for the parts. I think other companies are having the same problem, but it seems a very long time.”
Whilst Tesla operates a network of ‘Stores’ where motorists can look at their latest models and a number of repair centres, the company sells their models directly to customers online or via their app.
As a result, the radio personality said that it has been more difficult to approach the company for spare parts and does not know when they will arrive.
Currently, the aftermath of the pandemic and global conflicts are causing a shortage of available parts for a number of brands, with some driving experts accusing companies of prioritising sales over service.
Tony stated that, compared to other car companies, he has been disappointed at Tesla’s customer service, stating they are not as communicative.
He added: “I’m just amazed I’ve not got a response from Tesla; I just think it’s rude apart from anything else. You spend a lot of money with them, but they don’t seem to care. I think it’s a shame.
“There isn’t that communication. If you go into a garage after, say, a Lexus or an Audi, there’s a salesman who looks after you and takes you right from the selling part to delivering the car. With Tesla you don’t get that, it’s all done very coldly on an app. I think you need a bit more tender loving care.”
Nevertheless, Tony highlighted that he plans to stay with the Tesla brand, part-exchanging his current car for a new model once it has been repaired.
He continued: “It’s really bad timing because I’ve actually bought another car, a Tesla Model 3 that goes even further, but I’ve part-exchanged the one that is in the garage. I should have taken delivery two weeks ago, but I can’t because they won’t budge on the price when it comes out [of the garage].
“I’m not going to not take the new car, because they’re lovely cars and I would still recommend one to anybody. If you’re doing long distances, the Tesla is wonderful because if it says it’ll do 150 miles per charge, it’s more or less right.”
Express.co.uk has contacted Tesla for comment.
