The Tesla Model 3 has been plagued with quality control problems in the past, from paint issues and exterior panel gaps to poor quality leather stitching and tech issues. But how durable is the Model 3's central, tablet-style display? YouTuber TechRax, a channel that specializes in smashing up gadgets, wanted to find out by deliberately smashing it with a hammer while driving.

It may sound like senseless destruction, but it's actually an insightful experiment. Like many modern cars, the Model 3's cabin is mostly devoid of physical buttons, with almost all controls relegated to the screen itself.

Most functions like climate control and locking the doors are controlled with the 15-inch screen, so the YouTuber wanted to see how damaging the display would affect the car's functionality - will it still drive or switch into Autopilot mode?

As the YouTuber starts driving slowly, he starts lightly tapping the screen with a hammer to see what happens. After being hit with more force, the screen starts to distort but the car still functions properly, which is a testament to the screen's durability. Hitting it harder predictably causes the screen to crack but the car continues to drive unaffected. Eventually, the YouTuber destroys the screen, rendering it unusable and showering the cabin with glass, but the Model 3 continues to accelerate.

Despite the damage, the YouTuber claims everything is still working normally. He even pulls the screen away, but the car is still able to drive. After parking up and shutting the car down for 30 minutes, the Model 3 was still able to start, reverse, and pull away, proving that you don't need the screen to drive the electric sedan. If the screen breaks, you can still use the Tesla app on your smartphone to control various vehicle functions. We don't recommend smashing your Model 3 screen with a hammer, because, as TechRax discovered, it will cost you around $1,500 to replace.