Verdict
The 2022 Tesla Model Y passes its MOT first time on 84.1% of tests, against 85.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. That beats 32% of cars on UK roads: below average, though ahead of the Model Y as a whole, which beats about one in four.
It has had only two MOTs so far. At 3 years old it passed about 2 points less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage, and at 4 about 1 point less. By mileage it is behind a typical car up to 60,000 miles, by about 3–4 points at 20,000 to 30,000 miles, about level at 70,000 to 80,000 miles and ahead above 90,000, from fewer tests.
2023 cars do clearly worse so far, beating only about one in eight cars, though from fewer tests.
Tyres are the main weak spot: tyre damage fails about 2.2 times as often as on a typical car, on about 1 in 11 tests, and suspension about 2.5 times, led by ball joints at 8.3 times (about 1 in 55 tests). Brakes, lights and visibility items fail far less often than on a typical car. The MOT doesn't test the battery or motor, so ask for a battery health report too, and electric cars have no exhaust emissions test, which flatters the comparison a little.
Watch these weak spots
MOT pass rate by age
First-time pass rate at each MOT.
Where it fails
Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Buying one or MOT due? Check these
- Tyre damage
The most common fail, on about 1 in 11 tests, 2.2 times as often as on a typical car, and testers often find cords showing. Check both sidewalls of every tyre, including the inner edges, for cuts, bulges, cracking and exposed cords. - Suspension ball joints
Fail about 8.4 times as often as on a typical car, on about 1 in 55 tests, and are an advisory on about 1 in 30 more. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering. - Suspension arm bushes
Fail about 4.9 times as often as on a typical car (about 1 in 165 tests) and are an advisory on about 1 in 14 tests, 7.3 times the typical rate. Listen for knocks or creaks over bumps. - Tyre tread depth
Fails about 1.6 times as often as on a typical car (about 1 in 40 tests) and is an advisory on about 1 in 4 tests. Check every tyre has at least 3 mm of tread, including the inner edge. - Tyre pressure warning (TPMS)
Fails about 2.6 times as often as on a typical car, on about 1 in 125 tests. Make sure no tyre-pressure warning stays on after start-up. - Battery health
The MOT doesn't test the battery or motor. Ask for a battery health report and check the range shown on a full charge.
Pass rate by mileage
First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.
Most common MOT failures
| Item | This car | Typical | vs typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyre damage & cracking | 9.1% | 4.2% | 2.2× |
| Tyre tread depth | 2.5% | 1.7% | 1.5× |
| Suspension ball joints | 1.8% | 0.2% | 8.3× |
| Headlight aim | 1.3% | 1.7% | 0.8× |
| Tyre pressure warning (TPMS) | 0.8% | 0.3% | 2.5× |
| Windscreen washers | 0.6% | 1.1% | 0.6× |
| Suspension arm bushes | 0.6% | 0.1% | 5.3× |
| Windscreen wipers | 0.3% | 2.2% | 0.1× |
| Number plates | 0.3% | 0.2% | 1.3× |
| Seat belt condition | 0.3% | 0.2% | 1.1× |
Specific defects found
Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.
| Defect | per 1,000 |
|---|---|
| A tyre seriously damaged | 50.0 |
| A tyre cords visible or damaged | 47.7 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 26.7 |
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 25.2 |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 12.8 |
| A tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative | 8.1 |
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 6.5 |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 3.3 |
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Advisories
Not a fail yet, but likely to need attention soon.
| Item | Share of tests | vs typical |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre tread depth | 24.1% | 1.5× |
| Tyre damage & cracking | 9.1% | 1.3× |
| Suspension arm bushes | 7.2% | 7.7× |
| Brake discs | 6.4% | 1.1× |
| Suspension ball joints | 3.4% | 8.4× |
| Pins and bushes | 0.9% | 21.4× |
| Brake performance | 0.6% | 1.1× |
| Wheel condition | 0.3% | 0.7× |
Best and worst years
Model Y Electric by year, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.
Other 2022 Model Y engines
Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 84.1% | Beats 32% | D |
FAQ
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2022 Tesla Model Y?
84.1% of MOT tests on the 2022 Tesla Model Y were passed first time, from 54,759 tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 85.7%.
Is the 2022 Tesla Model Y reliable?
On MOT results it is below average: it beats 32% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account. It has had only two MOTs so far, and MOT results cover safety items, not the battery or motor.
Does the MOT test a Tesla Model Y's battery?
No. The MOT doesn't test an electric car's battery or motor, so ask for a battery health report before you buy. Electric cars also have no exhaust emissions test, which flatters their MOT results a little.
What are the most common MOT failures on the 2022 Tesla Model Y?
Tyre damage (about 1 in 11 tests, 2.2 times the typical rate), tyre tread depth, suspension ball joints and headlight aim.
Is the 2022 or 2023 Tesla Model Y better on MOT results?
So far, 2022 cars: they are below average for their age and mileage, beating about a third of cars on UK roads, while 2023 cars beat about one in eight, from fewer tests.