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Tesla Model S seat belts and airbags problems

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 8,150 MOT tests · Updated

At 7 years, 0.2 in 100 MOT tests of the Tesla Model S failed on seat belts and airbags, against 0.4 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 8,150 MOT tests) [1].

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  • Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 16 MOT tests with a fail
  • By age: seen at 8 ages from 3 to 10 years, 41,739 MOT tests
  • MOT tests at 7 years: 8,150 for the Tesla Model S

Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.

What the MOT tests show

What we know

0.2 fails per 100 MOT tests at 7 years, against 0.4 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 7 (all test years). That is about average.

Why it matters

A seat belts and airbags fail stops the car passing until it is fixed.

What to check

Pull every seat belt out fully and let it retract, check each buckle latches and releases, and make sure the airbag light goes out after start-up.

Tesla Model S seat belts and airbags fails by age

Tesla Model S seat belts and airbags fails per 100 MOT tests by ageSolid line: the Tesla Model S. Dashed line: all cars the same age. The table below lists every value.00.53 years: 0.1 per 100 (all cars 0.3), 1,995 MOT tests34 years: 0.1 per 100 (all cars 0.3), 3,985 MOT tests45 years: 0.2 per 100 (all cars 0.3), 6,560 MOT tests56 years: 0.2 per 100 (all cars 0.4), 7,968 MOT tests67 years: 0.2 per 100 (all cars 0.4), 8,150 MOT tests78 years: 0.3 per 100 (all cars 0.5), 6,900 MOT tests89 years: 0.7 per 100 (all cars 0.6), 4,277 MOT tests910 years: 0.8 per 100 (all cars 0.7), 1,904 MOT tests10
Fails per 100 MOT tests by age, all first-use years pooled. Tesla Model S All class 4 vehicles the same age
AgeMOT testsFails per 100All class 4 vehicles the same age
31,9950.10.3
43,9850.10.3
56,5600.20.3
67,9680.20.4
78,1500.20.4
86,9000.30.5
94,2770.70.6
101,9040.80.7

All first-use years of the Tesla Model S pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.

What fails in the seat belts and airbags at 7 years

Advisories (not fails)

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  • Model risks for this year and fuel
  • What similar cars did at their next MOT
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How to check on a test drive

Pull every seat belt out fully and let it retract, check each buckle latches and releases, and make sure the airbag light goes out after start-up.

The most common advisory here in MOT records: Seat belt condition: webbing slightly damaged or frayed.

Check one Tesla Model S, not the average

The figures here describe Tesla Model S cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.

Other Tesla Model S problems

Seat belts and airbags on rival models

Questions people ask

Does the Tesla Model S have more seat belts and airbags problems than other cars?

0.2 in 100 MOT tests at 7 years, against 0.4 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 8,150 MOT tests).

How common are Tesla Model S seat belts and airbags problems?

0.2 in 100 MOT tests at 7 years failed on seat belts and airbags, against 0.4 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 8,150 MOT tests).

Sources

  1. Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 41,739 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.

Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare