Most Reliable Tesla Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 49,568 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Tesla models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
49,568 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Tesla model from 2000-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Tesla MODEL 3
83.3% pass rate
Best Single Year
MODEL S 2015 Electric
80.4% pass rate
Tesla vs National Average
83.1% vs 71.5%
+11.6% above average
Best Early Performer
MODEL S 2017
+2.4% (early results)
Tesla has built its reputation on reliability, but does the data back it up? We analysed 49,568 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find out exactly which Tesla models live up to the hype and which ones fall short.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering every Tesla model sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Tesla Compares to Rivals
Tesla ranks #19 out of 75 manufacturers with a 83.1% average MOT pass rate. That's above the national average of 71.5%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla | 83.1% | #19 | 49,568 |
| Toyota | 74.0% | #31 | 1,606,300 |
| Volkswagen | 72.2% | #43 | 2,967,545 |
| Nissan | 68.7% | #50 | 1,612,552 |
| Ford | 68.5% | #51 | 4,432,652 |
| Vauxhall | 65.4% | #59 | 3,038,498 |
The verdict: Tesla leads its competitors with a 83.1% pass rate. However, newer Tesla models significantly outperform this average.
Best Tesla Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Tesla's core models rank against the 71.5% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.5%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MODEL 3 | 83.3% | +11.8% | 32,643 | 2019-2022 |
| MODEL X | 82.8% | +11.3% | 5,654 | 2017-2020 |
| MODEL S | 82.0% | +10.5% | 10,557 | 2014-2020 |
Durability Champions: Which Tesla Models Age Best?
Raw pass rates favour newer cars. This ranking compares each model against the national average for cars of the same age:
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Trend | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MODEL S | 2015 | Electric | +3.2% | (80% at 7-8 years) | |
| MODEL S | 2017 | Electric | +1.5% | (84% at 5-6 years) | |
| MODEL S | 2016 | Electric | +0.8% | (80% at 7-8 years) | |
| MODEL X | 2017 | Electric | +0.3% | (82% at 5-6 years) | |
| MODEL S | 2018 | Electric | +0.3% | (83% at 5-6 years) | |
| MODEL 3 STANDARD RANGE + | 2019 | Electric | -0.7% | (86% at 3-4 years) | |
| MODEL X | 2019 | Electric | -0.7% | (86% at 3-4 years) | |
| MODEL S | 2014 | Electric | -1.2% | (73% at 9-10 years) | |
| MODEL S | 2019 | Electric | -1.5% | (85% at 3-4 years) | |
| MODEL 3 STANDARD RANGE + | 2020 | Electric | -1.9% | (85% at 3-4 years) |
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age.
Early Performers: Strong Start, Unproven Durability
These newer Tesla models (3-6 years old) show strong early results, but haven't yet proven long-term durability:
Important caveat: Durability NOT yet proven - these vehicles have not been tested at older ages. Older versions of the same model may tell a different story at 11+ years.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MODEL S | 2017 | Electric | +2.4% | 5-6 years | 83.6% |
| MODEL X | 2017 | Electric | +1.3% | 5-6 years | 82.5% |
| MODEL S | 2016 | Electric | +0.2% | 5-6 years | 81.4% |
| MODEL S | 2018 | Electric | +0.2% | 3-4 years | 86.0% |
What this means: These models are performing well in their early years, but we recommend checking the Durability Champions section above to see how older versions of the same model family have fared over time.
Tesla MODEL 3: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The MODEL 3 has 32,643 tests in our database with an overall 83.3% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Electric | 92.9% | +-0.0% | 1,191 |
| 2021 | Electric | 93.1% | +2.2% | 1,126 |
| 2020 | Electric | 82.1% | -5.5% | 20,377 |
| 2019 | Electric | 83.5% | -2.7% | 9,949 |
MODEL 3 verdict: The 2022 electric model achieves an excellent 92.9% pass rate.
Tesla MODEL S: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The MODEL S has 10,557 tests in our database with an overall 82.0% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Electric | 80.2% | -7.4% | 800 |
| 2019 | Electric | 84.0% | -2.2% | 1,176 |
| 2018 | Electric | 84.8% | +0.6% | 1,851 |
| 2017 | Electric | 83.6% | +1.9% | 2,483 |
| 2016 | Electric | 80.8% | +2.1% | 2,338 |
| 2015 | Electric | 80.4% | +4.9% | 1,297 |
| 2014 | Electric | 74.0% | +2.3% | 612 |
MODEL S verdict:
Tesla Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Tesla's fuel type comparison shows clear differences in reliability:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 83.0% | +11.5% | 49,070 |
Tesla Models to Avoid
Not all Teslas are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MODEL 3 PERFORMANCE AWD | 2020 | Electric | 79.8% (-5.3% vs same-age) | 4,570 |
| MODEL S LONG RANGE AWD | 2020 | Electric | 80.2% | 606 |
| MODEL X LONG RANGE AWD | 2020 | Electric | 80.3% | 887 |
| MODEL 3 LONG RANGE AWD | 2020 | Electric | 82.7% (-3.1% vs same-age) | 9,746 |
| MODEL 3 PERFORMANCE AWD | 2019 | Electric | 81.3% (-5.2% vs same-age) | 3,620 |
| MODEL 3 STANDARD RANGE + | 2020 | Electric | 83.0% (-1.9% vs same-age) | 6,061 |
| MODEL 3 LONG RANGE AWD | 2019 | Electric | 83.6% (-2.8% vs same-age) | 2,802 |
| MODEL X | 2018 | Electric | 81.9% (-2.8% vs same-age) | 1,362 |
| MODEL S | 2019 | Electric | 85.0% (-1.5% vs same-age) | 771 |
| MODEL X | 2019 | Electric | 85.7% (-0.7% vs same-age) | 566 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2019-2020 electric MODEL 3 PERFORMANCE AWDs, 2019-2020 electric MODEL 3 LONG RANGE AWDs, 2018-2019 electric MODEL Xs are the models that drag down Tesla's average. These vehicles fail MOTs more often than they pass.
What Goes Wrong on Teslas?
When Teslas fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Tyres | 5,828 |
| 2. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1,431 |
| 3. Visibility | 769 |
| 4. Suspension | 662 |
| 5. Brakes | 477 |
| 6. Identification of the vehicle | 168 |
| 7. Body, chassis, structure | 156 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Tesla owners:
- Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- MODEL 3 STANDARD RANGE + 2021 Electric: 93% pass rate
- MODEL 3 LONG RANGE AWD 2021 Electric: 93% pass rate
- MODEL 3 2022 Electric: 93% pass rate
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- Limited proven durability data available
Tesla Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- No major proven reliability concerns
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 49,568 tests on Tesla vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 500 tests for proven durability rankings, 1,000 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.51% based on 32.3 million tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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