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Common problems by part

Tesla Model S steering problems

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

At 7 years, 1.3 in 100 MOT tests of the Tesla Model S failed on steering, against 0.8 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), 106 MOT tests with a fail
  • By age: seen at 8 ages from 3 to 10 years, 41,739 MOT tests
  • Most common fail: Steering track rod end: ball joint play, 1.1 per 100 MOT tests

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

What the MOT tests show

What we know

1.3 fails per 100 MOT tests at 7 years, against 0.8 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 7 (all test years). That is about average.

Why it matters

A steering fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.

What to check

With the engine running, turn the wheel lock to lock: listen for knocks or groans and feel for play at the straight-ahead position. On the drive the car should not wander.

Tesla Model S steering fails by age

Tesla Model S steering 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.0123 years: 0.1 per 100 (all cars 0.1), 1,995 MOT tests34 years: 0.2 per 100 (all cars 0.2), 3,985 MOT tests45 years: 0.4 per 100 (all cars 0.3), 6,560 MOT tests56 years: 0.8 per 100 (all cars 0.5), 7,968 MOT tests67 years: 1.3 per 100 (all cars 0.8), 8,150 MOT tests78 years: 1.6 per 100 (all cars 1.2), 6,900 MOT tests89 years: 2.1 per 100 (all cars 1.8), 4,277 MOT tests910 years: 1.2 per 100 (all cars 2.1), 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
31,9950.10.1
43,9850.20.2
56,5600.40.3
67,9680.80.5
78,1501.30.8
86,9001.61.2
94,2772.11.8
101,9041.22.1

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 steering at 7 years

Fails

  • Steering track rod end: ball joint play: 1.1 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.4. Replace track rod end: estimated £54–£128 (0.5–1 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £15–£50) Track rod end ball joint has excessive play MOT fail

Advisories (not fails)

Replace track rod end cost

Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.

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

With the engine running, turn the wheel lock to lock: listen for knocks or groans and feel for play at the straight-ahead position. On the drive the car should not wander.

The most common advisory here in MOT records: Track rod end: ball joint has slight play.

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

Steering on rival models

Questions people ask

Does the Tesla Model S have more steering problems than other cars?

1.3 in 100 MOT tests at 7 years, against 0.8 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 steering problems?

1.3 in 100 MOT tests at 7 years failed on steering, against 0.8 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 8,150 MOT tests).

What is the most common Tesla Model S steering fail?

1.1 in 100 MOT tests at 7 years: Steering track rod end: ball joint play (89 MOT tests with it).

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.
  2. Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. 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