Tesla Model 3 common problems and MOT pass rate
In 2025, DVSA recorded 87,486 initial MOT tests on the Tesla Model 3 in Great Britain, and 84.5% passed first time. Here is where the rest failed.
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Tesla Model 3 at the MOT, 2025
- Initial MOT tests
- 87,486
- Passed first timeAll cars and vans: 72.1%
- 84.5%
- Failed at firstIncluding 1.3% repaired at the test and passed (PRS)
- 15.5%
- Had a dangerous defectAll cars and vans: 7.3%
- 8.8%
- Licensed in the UKEnd of 2026 Q2, plus 1,008 off the road (SORN)
- 146,205
Contains DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, year 2025.
Failure areas
Where the Model 3 fails its MOT
The share of initial tests in 2025 with at least one fail or PRS item in each part of the MOT. A test can fail in more than one area, so these do not add up to the fail rate.
1Tyres
11.2%
Tread depth, cuts and bulges, the right size and type, valves and tyre pressure warning systemsAll cars and vans: 6.2%
2Suspension
2.4%
Springs, shock absorbers, suspension arms and bushes, anti-roll bars, wheel bearings and axlesAll cars and vans: 9.0%
3Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
1.8%
Headlamps and their aim, brake lights, indicators, fog and reversing lamps, warning lights, battery and wiringAll cars and vans: 10.8%
4Visibility
1.1%
The driver's view, windscreen damage, wipers, washers and mirrorsAll cars and vans: 4.4%
5Brakes
0.7%
Pedal and handbrake, pipes and hoses, discs, pads and drums, and how well the car stopsAll cars and vans: 6.4%
6Road wheels
0.3%
Damaged or loose wheels, wheel nuts and hubsAll cars and vans: 0.4%
7Registration plates and VIN
0.3%
Number plates and the vehicle identification numberAll cars and vans: 0.3%
8Seat belts and airbags
0.1%
Seat belts, airbags and the airbag warning lightAll cars and vans: 1.0%
9Body, chassis and structure
0.1%
Corrosion and damage to the structure, the exhaust system, fuel system, doors, seats, towbar, bumpers and engine mountingsAll cars and vans: 3.3%
10Steering
0.0%
Steering rack, joints and linkages, power steering, the steering wheel and columnAll cars and vans: 2.0%
This modelAll cars and vans
Parts
The parts that fail most
Share of initial tests with a fail or PRS item on each part, 2025.
- ConditionTyres6.7%
- Tread depthTyres4.9%
- Suspension armsSuspension2.0%
- Headlamp aimLamps and electrics1.1%
- Tyre pressure monitoring systemTyres1.0%
- WashersVisibility0.7%
- Brake performanceBrakes0.5%
- Other suspension componentSuspension0.3%
By age
Pass rate by year first used
Older cars fail more often, so compare a car with others of its year. Cars up to 25 years old; years with fewer than 250 tests are left out.
| First used | Tests | Passed first time | Dangerous defect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 710 | 91.8% | 4.1% |
| 2022 | 19,081 | 85.3% | 8.8% |
| 2021 | 35,102 | 86.0% | 7.3% |
| 2020 | 22,144 | 82.1% | 10.6% |
| 2019 | 10,312 | 82.2% | 10.4% |
Mileage
Model 3 mileage by age
The median reading at the test: half the cars of that age had covered more, half less. Estimated from 1,000-mile bands, for cars up to 25 years old.
A car well above or below the typical figure is not a problem in itself, but the readings should rise steadily from one MOT to the next. A fall, or a long gap, is worth asking about.
Check a car's mileage record| Age at test | Median mileage | Readings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 44,900 miles | 391 |
| 2 years | 36,000 miles | 14,422 |
| 3 years | 42,700 miles | 29,442 |
| 4 years | 49,200 miles | 24,853 |
| 5 years | 54,900 miles | 15,861 |
| 6 years | 59,100 miles | 2,364 |
Checking a particular Model 3?
Averages tell you what to look at. The registration tells you about this car: every MOT since 2005 with its failures and advisories, each mileage reading, and whether it is taxed.
Questions
Tesla Model 3: common questions
Contains DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, year 2025.