MOT failure data · 2025
Tesla Model MOT problems
Across every Tesla Model that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, on 21.65% of failure items. The broadest problem area was tyres at 65.92%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.
Most common Tesla Model MOT failures
| # | Recorded defect | Area | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 21.65% |
| 2 | Condition has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 20.01% |
| 3 | Condition has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 15.61% |
| 4 | Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 6.91% |
| 5 | Ball joint ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 6% |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative | Tyres | 2.7% |
| 7 | Condition has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 2.05% |
| 8 | Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively | Visibility | 1.83% |
| 9 | Headlamp aim too low | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1.68% |
| 10 | Headlamp aim too high | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1.32% |
Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.
What this means if you are buying one
Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Tesla Model, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.
The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Tesla Model buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.
Checking a specific Tesla Model?
Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.
Tesla Model MOT FAQs
What does a Tesla Model most commonly fail its MOT on?
The single most recorded defect on Tesla Model cars failing their 2025 MOT was "tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", appearing on 21.65% of failure items.
Does this mean my Tesla Model will fail?
No. This is what testers recorded across every Tesla Model that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Tesla Model passed 85.2% of its initial tests.
How do I see a specific Tesla Model's MOT history?
Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.
See also: Tesla Model MOT pass rate · used Tesla Model buying guide · free MOT history check
Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.