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Reliability
Are Teslas reliable? Common problems, MOT data, and full history checks for used Tesla vehicles.
83.8% MOT pass rate based on 122,000 tests.
Common faults and reliability ranked across 6 Tesla models.
Full vehicle history checks for £9.99 with no subscription.
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Are Tesla cars reliable?
Tesla vs other premium brands
Tesla vehicles pass their MOT at 83.8%, over 11 points above the national average of 72.4%. Among premium peers here, only Porsche (87.5%) sits higher. Jaguar (79.3%), BMW (79.3%), Audi (78.4%), and Mercedes-Benz (77.0%) all sit below Tesla.
The Tesla UK fleet is young. The Model 3 Long Range and Model Y Long Range together account for around 64,000 of the 122,000 total tests. All Tesla models are electric, so the failure profile looks very different from combustion cars. There is no exhaust, no emissions test, and no engine oil to leak.
Reliability data shows part of the picture. A vehicle history check reveals the rest, including outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-offs, and mileage discrepancies.
What is the Tesla MOT pass rate by age?
Pass rate at each vehicle age, from 3 to 20 years old. National average shown for comparison.
Tesla pass rates sit slightly below the national average at age 3 (84.4% vs 88.5%) and age 6 (82.3% vs 83.5%). This early gap is driven almost entirely by tyre wear, which is heavier on electric cars due to instant torque and higher vehicle weight.
From age 8 onward, Teslas pull ahead. At age 10, Teslas pass at 75.9% vs 71.9% nationally, and at age 11 they still lead at 73.8% vs 68.6%. Only 530 Teslas in the UK fleet reached an age-11 MOT in 2025, so the chart stops there to avoid misleading data from tiny samples. Fewer than 20 Teslas exist at each older age.
What are the most common Tesla faults?
Top 10 MOT failure categories for Tesla, ranked by frequency. National percentage shown alongside.
Top 5 specific Tesla failure reasons
These are the specific MOT examiner findings most frequently recorded on Tesla vehicles, along with what they mean.
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (19.12% of Tesla failures)
One or more tyres worn below the legal minimum tread depth. The legal limit is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre.
- Has ply or cords exposed (17.72% of Tesla failures)
A tyre so worn or damaged that the internal cords are visible. This is a serious safety issue and an immediate MOT failure.
- Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (13.66% of Tesla failures)
A deep cut or gash in a tyre's sidewall or tread that exposes the internal structure. Usually means the tyre needs replacing immediately.
- Pin or bush excessively worn (6.28% of Tesla failures)
The metal pins or rubber bushes that connect suspension components have worn past their safe tolerance, creating play in the joint.
- Ball joint excessively worn (5.70% of Tesla failures)
A suspension ball joint has developed too much play. Affects steering feel and handling; needs replacement.
Tesla's failure profile is unlike any combustion brand. Tyres account for 58.4% of all Tesla failures vs 10.6% nationally, more than five times the national share. Suspension (13.9%) and visibility (11.3%) follow. Brakes account for only 4.1% of failures vs 13.0% nationally, because regenerative braking dramatically reduces friction brake wear. Lamps and electrical failures at 7.3% are also well below the national 24.6%.
Which Tesla models are most reliable?
Top 15 Tesla models ranked by MOT test volume. Pass rate shown for each. Green bars beat the national average of 72.4%. Red bars sit below it.
| Model | Tests | Pass rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 Long Range Awd | 39,261 | 85.2% | Tyres |
| Tesla Model Y Long Range Awd | 25,253 | 84.0% | Tyres |
| Tesla Model 3 Standard Range + | 20,746 | 85.2% | Tyres |
| Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd | 11,224 | 79.4% | Tyres |
| Tesla Model S | 8,380 | 79.5% | Tyres |
| Tesla Model 3 | 5,293 | 85.5% | Tyres |
The Model 3 Long Range AWD (85.2%), Model Y Long Range AWD (84.0%), and Model 3 Standard Range Plus (85.2%) lead the popular Tesla range. The Model 3 Performance AWD sits lower at 79.4%, likely due to accelerated tyre wear from the more powerful drivetrain. The older Model S also sits at 79.5%. Tyre wear is the top failure category on every Tesla model.
How many miles do Tesla vehicles typically cover?
Average recorded mileage at each MOT test, by vehicle age. National average shown for comparison.
Tesla vehicles cover significantly more mileage than the national average at every age. At age 3, Teslas average 39,000 miles vs 28,000 nationally. At age 6, 62,000 vs 50,000. By age 10, Teslas average 110,000 miles vs 80,000. Tesla owners drive further per year on average, which contributes to the elevated tyre wear pattern.
Our Premium Vehicle Reports compare the recorded mileage at every MOT test to flag discrepancies. A drop in recorded mileage between two tests is a strong signal that the odometer may have been tampered with.
Are there any Tesla safety recalls?
Safety recalls are issued by Tesla when a manufacturing defect could affect the safety of the vehicle. The DVSA records every UK recall and links it to affected vehicle identification numbers (VINs). Recalls are free for the owner to have fixed at a franchised dealer.
Recall lists change over time as new issues are identified and old ones are resolved. For that reason we do not maintain a static list here. When you check a Tesla via Brumble, the report shows any outstanding manufacturer safety recalls that still need action on that specific vehicle.
How do you check a Tesla's full history?
Before you buy any used Tesla, a full history check protects you from problems that a physical inspection would miss. Here is what a Premium Vehicle Report from Brumble covers.
Has this Tesla been written off?
An insurance write-off means the car has been declared uneconomical to repair after an accident, fire, or flood. The report shows the category (Cat A, B, N, or S), the date, and the cause. Cat A and B are permanently unroadworthy. Cat N and S can legally return to the road but often carry hidden damage and are worth significantly less.
Is there outstanding finance on this Tesla?
If the previous owner has an active HP, PCP, or loan agreement secured against the car, the finance company legally owns it until the balance is paid off. Buying a car with outstanding finance means the finance company can repossess it, even after you have paid the seller in full. The report checks with Experian for any active finance agreements.
Has this Tesla been reported stolen?
The Police National Computer records stolen vehicles. The report checks the PNC for any active stolen marker. Buying a stolen vehicle means the police can seize it and return it to the rightful owner, with no compensation.
Has the mileage been tampered with?
Every MOT test records the current mileage. The report shows the full mileage history from every recorded test and flags any drops or unusually flat periods. A drop between tests is a strong signal the odometer has been clocked. A car worth £15,000 with 60,000 miles on the clock might be worth £10,000 if the true mileage is 120,000.
Has this Tesla been used as a taxi or private hire vehicle?
Ex-taxis and private hire vehicles have typically covered high mileage under harder use than a private car of the same age. Insurers may view them as higher risk, and resale value is significantly lower. The report checks whether the vehicle has ever been registered as a taxi or private hire vehicle.
What is this Tesla worth?
The report includes current trade, retail, and private-sale valuations based on the vehicle's make, model, trim, mileage, and condition. Use it to check whether the asking price is fair before you negotiate.
Check any Tesla's full history for £9.99. No subscription.
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What should you check before buying a used Tesla?
Four practical steps before you hand over any money.
- 1
Check the MOT history
Every UK vehicle has a free MOT test history showing every pass, fail, advisory, and recorded mileage. Use the Brumble MOT checker to see what previous inspections found.
- 2
Check the vehicle's full history
A Premium Vehicle Report covers outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-offs, mileage discrepancies, safety recalls, and valuation. £9.99, no subscription.
- 3
Compare insurance before you commit
Tesla insurance groups vary widely by model and trim. Get a car insurance quote before you buy to avoid nasty surprises after the sale.
- 4
Check the tax status
Confirm the car is currently taxed, or you may not be able to drive it away. The Brumble tax checker shows current tax status and when tax is next due.
Tesla Reliability FAQs
Source: Brumble analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2025 test year (published June 2026). Class 3 and 4 vehicles with 5,000+ tests per model. Published under Open Government Licence v3.0.