Large family car · 2007–2021 cars

Tesla Model 3 reliability

The Tesla Model 3 fails 14.7% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 90,276 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 50/100#20 of 29 large family cars

Checking a Tesla Model 3 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 14.7%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 1% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 90,276; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 10,800; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the Tesla Model 3 ages

Each point is the share of Tesla Model 3s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Tesla Model 3All cars

Tesla Model 3 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Tesla Model 3	All cars
3	14.5%	12.3%
4	14.9%	14.1%
5	16.6%	16.4%

By year

The best and worst Tesla Model 3 years

2021 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Tesla Model 3 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 Model 3	14,361	13.5%	3% fewer fails	35,274
2020 Model 3	45,707	14.7%	0% more fails	39,269
2019 Model 3	30,197	15.4%	2% more fails	40,774

Common problems

What fails most on a Tesla Model 3

Its weak spot is tyres: 104% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Tyres10.4%104% above avg
Lights and electrics2.5%33% below avg
Suspension1.6%32% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1%71% below avg
Brakes0.6%79% below avg
Wheels0.3%40% above avg
Number plates and VIN0.3%18% above avg
Body, chassis and structure0.1%73% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.1%69% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.32% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.76% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.42% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
4
Headlamp aim set too low 0.74% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
5
Headlamp aim set too high 0.54% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
6
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.54% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
7
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 0.49% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
8
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 0.37% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Tesla Model 3's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit12.2%
Brake disc pitted or scored5.04%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear2.21%
Tyre has a shallow cut1.81%
Tyre worn close to legal limit1.75%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking1.55%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Tesla Model 3

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
4
Headlamp aim set too low
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Tesla Model 3 covers about 10,800 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Electric100%

Most common colours

White, Grey, Black, Blue, Red

Compare

How the Tesla Model 3 compares with its rivals

Tesla Model 3 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Saab 9-3	37.3%	12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Honda Accord	38.7%	8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Hyundai i40	26.6%	4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot 508	28.2%	4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Tesla Model 3	14.7%	about average for its age
Vauxhall Vectra	45.9%	6% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Citroën C5	28.5%	6% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every large family car ranked in the large family car reliability index, or all Tesla models.

Questions

Tesla Model 3 questions, answered

Is the Tesla Model 3 reliable?

On MOT results, the Tesla Model 3 is about average: it fails 14.7% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 20 of 29 large family car models in our index.

What fails most on a Tesla Model 3 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Tesla Model 3 are tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.32% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (2.76% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.42% of tests). By area, tyres fails 10.4% of its tests.

Which Tesla Model 3 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2019 cars do worst (about average for its age).

How many miles does a Tesla Model 3 do a year?

A typical Tesla Model 3 covers about 10,800 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Tesla Model 3 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

Found a Tesla Model 3? Check it free.

MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.