Tesla Model S MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 6,494 class-4 normal initial MOT tests in 2024, 79.4% passed without an initial fail or PRS repair — above the 71.2% UK average. Pass rate moves with age: 84.3% of cars aged 3–5 years passed first time, against 71.3% aged 10–14 years.
Checking a Tesla Model S?
Model-level statistics cannot reveal the condition or provenance of one car.
Check its registration free for the actual MOT, tax and mileage record. Before buying, the optional £9.99 full history check adds outstanding-finance, stolen and insurance write-off checks.
Pass rate by vehicle age
| Age | Tests | Initial pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 years | 521 | 84.3% |
| 6–9 years | 5,548 | 79.5% |
| 10–14 years | 425 | 71.3% |
Common initial failure categories
These are the items that most often caused a Tesla Model S to fail its first test, with what each one usually means for a buyer.
- Condition — 6.9% of tests. Corrosion, damage or wear on a tested component. Worth seeing in person, as the cost ranges from trivial to structural.
- Tread Depth — 4.1% of tests. Tyres below the 1.6mm legal limit. Budget for tyres, and treat it as a sign of how the car was maintained.
- Suspension Arms — 2.7% of tests. Worn arms or bushes. A common age-related repair that affects handling and tyre wear.
- Headlamp Aim — 2.1% of tests. Headlights pointing too high or low. Cheap to adjust, and common on every make.
- Wipers — 1.7% of tests. Worn wiper blades. Minutes to fix, and a fair hint that servicing was skipped.
- Washers — 1.6% of tests. Empty or blocked washers. Trivial, but again a sign of the last owner's care.
What this does and does not tell you
A pass rate describes how a population of cars behaved on test day. It says nothing about how one car was driven, serviced or repaired, and an MOT does not cover the engine, clutch or gearbox at all.
Use it to know what to look for: if tyres and brakes dominate the list, price those in; if corrosion or suspension appears, get underneath the car. Then check the individual vehicle — its MOT history shows whether these same items have been advised year after year, and its mileage record shows whether the reading is consistent.
How many Tesla Model S are left?
At the end of 2026 Q1, DfT recorded 9,925 licensed and 379 SORN vehicles in the Tesla Model S generic-model group.
Licensed and SORN trend for the Tesla Model S
Before you buy
- Condition — 6.9% of tests in 2024. Corrosion, damage or wear on a tested component. Worth seeing in person, as the cost ranges from trivial to structural.
- Tread Depth — 4.1% of tests in 2024. Tyres below the 1.6mm legal limit. Budget for tyres, and treat it as a sign of how the car was maintained.
- Suspension Arms — 2.7% of tests in 2024. Worn arms or bushes. A common age-related repair that affects handling and tyre wear.
- Headlamp Aim — 2.1% of tests in 2024. Headlights pointing too high or low. Cheap to adjust, and common on every make.
- Check the actual Model S — These figures describe the model group. Enter the registration for that vehicle's free MOT, tax and mileage record before you pay a deposit.
Other Tesla models
- Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD — 84.3% pass
- Tesla Model 3 Standard Range + — 84.4% pass
- Tesla Model 3 Performance AWD — 80.4% pass
- Tesla Model X — 79.9% pass
- Tesla Model X Long Range AWD — 80.5% pass
See every Tesla model MOT pass rate
Common questions
What is the Tesla Model S MOT pass rate?
79.4% of 6,494 class-4 initial MOT tests on the Tesla Model S passed first time in 2024 — above the 71.2% UK average.
Why does the Model S fail its MOT?
The most common initial failure categories are condition (6.9% of tests), tread depth (4.1% of tests), suspension arms (2.7% of tests), headlamp aim (2.1% of tests).
How many Tesla Model S are left in the UK?
9,925 were licensed and 379 were SORN at the end of 2026 Q1, according to DfT and DVLA statistics for this generic-model group.
Does this tell me whether one particular Model S is a good buy?
No. These are population statistics. Enter that car's registration for its own MOT, tax and mileage record, then check outstanding finance, write-off and stolen markers before buying.
Methodology and limitations
MOT outcomes describe testable items at the time of inspection. They are not a measure of overall mechanical reliability.
Scope: Class 4 normal initial MOT tests completed in 2024. Models require at least 1,000 qualifying tests. Duplicate source rows are removed using official DVSA test IDs.
Source: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published 2025-05-23 under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Check the actual car
Enter the registration for that car's own free MOT, tax and mileage record. Before money changes hands, the £9.99 full history check adds outstanding finance, insurance write-off and stolen checks.