Tesla Model S MOT pass rate and common problems
85.3% of 19,463 Tesla Model S MOT tests pass.
At 85.3%, the Model S passes slightly less often than the average across all Tesla models (87.1%).
The Tesla Model S passes its MOT 85.3% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Tesla Model S?
This is the average across every Tesla Model S in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Tesla’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 88.6% at 3–6 years to 74.5% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (24) | 24 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 88.6% | 5,982 | 55,970 miles |
| 6–10 years | 84.0% | 13,108 | 86,383 miles |
| 10–15 years | 74.5% | 349 | 109,354 miles |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Tesla Model S
The most common reason the Tesla Model S fails its MOT is tyres — present in 62.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 62.8% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Suspension | 23.7% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Visibility | 15.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 14.8% | Too low |
| Brakes | 13.1% | Excessively fluctuating |
| Steering | 5.1% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.2% | Cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |
| Identification of the vehicle | 3.6% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Road Wheels | 2.4% | Fractured |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.0% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Tesla Model S: what to check
These checks follow the Tesla Model S’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Tesla Model S comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 84.0% to 74.5%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 85.7% down to 80.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 62.8% of failed Tesla Model S MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 23.7% of failed Tesla Model S MOTs. 14.9% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension, against 1.5% at 3–6 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 15.9% of failed Tesla Model S MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
4. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 14.8% of failed Tesla Model S MOTs. 11.5% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.8% at 3–6 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
5. Brakes
Recorded in 13.1% of failed Tesla Model S MOTs. 7.4% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 1.4% at 3–6 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Tesla service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Tesla models
- Tesla Model 3 — 87.4% pass rate
- Tesla Model X — 86.0% pass rate
- Tesla Model Y — 92.1% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Tesla Model S?
- 85.3% of Tesla Model S MOT tests pass, based on 19,463 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Tesla Model S?
- The most common reason the Tesla Model S fails its MOT is tyres — present in 62.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the Tesla Model S?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Tesla Model S are tyres; suspension; windscreen and wipers.
- What should I check when buying a used Tesla Model S?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; suspension; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics; brakes. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Tesla Model S's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Tesla service history guide for how to check and keep one.