Verdict
Tesla cars pass their MOT first time on 83.5% of tests, against 83.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. That beats 54% of cars on UK roads and ranks Tesla 20th of 40 makes.
The Model S (2014–2020) does best, beating 81% of cars; the Model X beats 54% and the Model 3, the most tested Tesla, 49%, about average. The Model Y (2022–2023) is the one to check most carefully: it beats only 26%, about 2 points below a typical car of its age and mileage.
Tyres are the weak spot by far: they fail on about 1 in 9 tests, nearly twice as often as on a typical car. Brakes, lights and electrics, visibility and body fail far less often, about a third to a half of the typical rate.
The MOT does not test the battery or motor, so ask for a battery health report too. Electric cars also have no exhaust emissions test, which flatters the comparison a little.
Where it fails
Every Tesla compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Tesla models
Models with 20,000+ MOT tests, most common first. 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. Light vans are included and tend to grade lower, partly from hard commercial use.
| Model first registered | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3 2019–2023 | 83.9% | Beats 49% | C |
| Model Y 2022–2023 | 83.4% | Beats 26% | D |
| Model S 2014–2020 | 82.8% | Beats 81% | A |
| Model X 2017–2020 | 82.0% | Beats 54% | C |
FAQ
What is the Tesla MOT pass rate?
83.5% of Tesla MOT tests were passed first time, from 433,601 tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 83.2%, so Teslas do about as well as typical.
Is Tesla reliable?
On MOT results it is about average: Tesla beats 54% of cars on UK roads and ranks 20th of 40 makes. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown, and not the battery.
Which Tesla model is most reliable?
The Model S, which beats about eight in ten cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account. The Model Y does least well, beating about one in four.
What are the most common MOT failures on Teslas?
Tyres, on about 1 in 9 tests, nearly twice as often as on a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check tread depth across the full width of every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts and bulges.
Does the MOT check a Tesla's battery?
No. The MOT does not test the battery or motor, so ask for a battery health report when buying. Electric cars also have no exhaust emissions test, which flatters their MOT results a little.