MOT fail rates by first-use year
2018 Tesla Model S MOT fail rate and common faults
How Tesla Model S cars first used in 2018 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2025, against all cars of the same age. From 7,500 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 7 years, tested in 2025
What stands out
- In 2025, at 7 years old, Tesla Model S cars first used in 2018 failed 17.7% of MOTs (1,912 tests), 3.0 points below the 20.6% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2025, as these cars went from 4 to 7 years old, the fail rate moved from 12.3% to 17.7%.
- Tesla Model S cars first used a year earlier, in 2017, failed 18.9% at the same age of 7 years (2,560 tests, in 2024).
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the Tesla Model S at 7 years, is suspension ball joint worn, at 1.3 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 0.7).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4 years | 12.3% | 1,818 | 13.4% | −1.1 pts |
| 2023 | 5 years | 15.0% | 1,877 | 15.3% | −0.3 pts |
| 2024 | 6 years | 15.9% | 1,893 | 17.8% | −1.9 pts |
| 2025 | 7 years | 17.7% | 1,912 | 20.6% | −3.0 pts |
Most common faults at 7 years
These figures cover all Tesla Model S MOTs at 7 years: cars first used 2015 to 2018, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=8,150). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.
MOT fail items
| Fail item | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre tread below 1.6 mm Wear | 3.8 | 2.2 |
| Tyre with cords exposed Wear | 3.5 | 1.1 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Wear | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| Wipers not clearing screen Wear | 1.6 | 1.7 |
| Suspension ball joint worn | 1.3 | 0.7 |
| Suspension arm bush worn | 1.2 | 0.6 |
| Steering track rod end: ball joint play | 1.1 | 0.4 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Wear | 0.9 | 1.0 |
| Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative | 0.9 | 0.7 |
| Headlight aimed too high Wear | 0.8 | 0.6 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=8,150). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear | 18.8 | 15.0 |
| Brake pads wearing thin Wear | 7.5 | 9.0 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| Suspension pin or bush worn, without excessive movement | 5.6 | 3.0 |
| Suspension ball joint: slight play | 4.5 | 0.7 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords Wear | 3.3 | 1.5 |
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit, under the 1.0 mm rule Wear | 2.7 | 2.0 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 2.2 | 8.9 |
| Anti-roll bar link ball joint: slight play | 2.1 | 0.4 |
| Non-component advisories: Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | 2.0 | 2.4 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=8,150). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 7 years
These figures cover all Tesla Model S MOTs at 7 years: cars first used 2015 to 2018, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=8,150). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Fuel | Share of tests | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars, same fuel | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 100.0% | 18.4% | 8,150 | 21.7% | 72,252 miles |
Fail rate by mileage at 7 years
These figures cover all Tesla Model S MOTs at 7 years: cars first used 2015 to 2018, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=8,150). At 7 years, Tesla Model S cars at 90,000 to 120,000 miles failed more often (22.0%, n=1,507) than those at 30,000 to 60,000 miles (15.2%, n=2,282). Bands with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Mileage at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30,000 to 60,000 miles | 15.2% | 2,282 | 19.2% |
| 60,000 to 90,000 miles | 18.4% | 2,842 | 24.2% |
| 90,000 to 120,000 miles | 22.0% | 1,507 | 28.0% |
Car tax rules for a 2018 car
- Cars first registered from 1 April 2017 pay a first-year rate set by CO2 emissions, then the standard rate each year. A petrol, diesel or hybrid car with a list price over £40,000 also pays the expensive car supplement for five years, from the second tax payment.
- Electric cars have paid vehicle tax since 1 April 2025, under the rules for their registration date.
- Electric cars registered before 1 April 2025 do not pay the expensive car supplement.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Fully electric cars do not pay the ULEZ charge.
- Clean air zones that charge cars, such as Birmingham and Bristol, do not charge fully electric cars.
The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker
Other years of the Tesla Model S
More on the Tesla Model S
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 2018 Tesla Model S cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.
Source
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources
Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.