Tesla Model S MOT pass rate and common failures
In 2025, 79.8% of Tesla Model S MOT tests were a first-time pass, across 10,835 tests in Great Britain. For all cars it was 71.5%.
Compared with cars of the same age
Older cars fail more often, so a model that’s mostly a few years old will look better than one that’s mostly 12. These figures compare like with like.
At 3–5 years
83.0%
All cars: 86.1% (3.1 points worse). 1,641 tests.
At 6–10 years
79.4%
All cars: 76.1% (3.3 points better). 8,983 tests.
At 11 years and over
72.4%
All cars: 61.3% (11.1 points better). 203 tests.
Pass rate by age
Figures by age, with typical mileage
| Age (years) | Tests | First-time pass | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 626 | 81.2% | 86.4% | 51,250 miles |
| 5 | 1,015 | 84.1% | 84.5% | 61,250 miles |
| 6 | 1,618 | 83.8% | 81.9% | 68,750 miles |
| 7 | 2,279 | 80.3% | 79.3% | 78,750 miles |
| 8 | 2,360 | 78.9% | 76.3% | 88,750 miles |
| 9 | 1,924 | 77.0% | 73.1% | 98,750 miles |
| 10 | 802 | 75.1% | 70.0% | 108,750 miles |
| 11 | 203 | 72.4% | 66.9% | 111,250 miles |
Typical mileage is the median reading at the test, to the nearest 2,500 miles.
What fails most often
The share of Tesla Model S MOT tests that failed on at least one item in each area, against all cars. A test can fail on several areas at once.
| Area | Model S | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 14.1% | 8.4% |
| Suspension | 9.2% | 13.7% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 4.2% | 16.6% |
| Brakes | 4.1% | 10.2% |
| Visibility | 3.5% | 5.2% |
| Steering | 2.1% | 2.5% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.2% | 4.2% |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.6% | 0.4% |
Most common reasons for failing
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm failed 4.5% of tests
- Condition: has ply or cords exposed failed 4.1% of tests
- Ball joint excessively worn failed 3.3% of tests · what this means
- Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn failed 2.6% of tests · what this means
- Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords failed 2.3% of tests
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play failed 1.8% of tests · what this means
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively failed 1.5% of tests · what this means
- Headlamp aim: too high failed 1.1% of tests · what this means
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick failed 1.1% of tests · what this means
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid failed 1.1% of tests · what this means
Checking a particular Model S?
See its own MOT history, mileage record and advisories in plain English. Free, no sign-up.
About these figures
- They cover every Model S version DVSA records under this name (engines, trims and generations together), on its first MOT test of each visit. A “pass with rectification” (fixed within an hour) counts as a fail, as in DVSA’s own statistics.
- Cars under three years old are left out, because the few tested that young are mostly taxis.
- Fuel mix of the cars tested: electric 86.8%, electric 13.2%.
- A pass rate describes the model, not any one car. How a car has been looked after matters more.
Download these figures (CSV) · Other Tesla models · All makes
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data for 2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Our own analysis; not produced or endorsed by DVSA.