MOT performance
Tesla Model S MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 21,398 MOT tests of the Tesla Model S in 2023–2024, 81.0% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Tesla Model Ss failed about as often as comparable cars. The most common failure item was “condition: has ply or cords exposed”, on 3.61% of tests.
21,398 MOT tests on 10,539 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 81.0% | ±0.5 pts (95%), n = 21,398 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.96× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 8.8% | n = 21,398 |
| Average age at test | 5.9 years | n = 21,398 |
| Median mileage at test | 65,391 miles | n = 21,398 |
| Vehicles tested | 10,539 | 2023–2024 |
Where Tesla Model Ss fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 10.1% | +28% |
| Driver's view of the road | 3.5% | +5% |
| Suspension | 3.3% | -34% |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.6% | -49% |
| Brakes | 2.1% | -34% |
| Steering | 0.9% | +69% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.9% | +75% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.5% | +55% |
| Road wheels | 0.4% | +46% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.3% | -20% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.0% | -96% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 3.61% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 3.55% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.94% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 1.90% |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 1.24% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 1.12% |
| Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative | Tyres | 0.99% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 0.97% |
| Headlamp aim: too low | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 0.96% |
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | Steering | 0.84% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 18.64% |
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 6.59% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 6.34% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 5.43% |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 4.28% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 4,104 | 83.9% | +3% |
| 5-6 | 8,429 | 82.6% | -4% |
| 7-8 | 7,051 | 78.7% | -9% |
| 9-10 | 1,255 | 73.5% | +1% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1,712 | 81.0% | 1.27× |
| 2019 | 2,448 | 83.8% | 1.08× |
| 2018 | 3,720 | 84.4% | 0.98× |
| 2017 | 5,008 | 82.2% | 0.95× |
| 2016 | 4,679 | 79.3% | 0.93× |
| 2015 | 2,583 | 78.1% | 0.84× |
| 2014 | 1,220 | 72.8% | 0.95× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Compared with similar models
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About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.