Skip to main content
Check

Tesla Model 3 Mk1 (2019-2023) reliability

At a glance

Tesla Model 3 Mk1 built around 2020: more fails still not passed 3 days later

Tesla Model 3 Mk1 models built around 2020 fail an MOT and still haven’t passed 3 days later more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Looking at a Tesla Model 3 Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

5.1% of MOT tests on Tesla Model 3 Mk1 models built around 2020 failed and still hadn’t passed 3 days later. For similar cars the same age, it was 2.3%.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Tesla Model 3 Mk1 models built around 2020 involves the tyres.

Tesla Model 3 Mk1
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2019-2023SaloonELECTRICITY

Based on 91,663 tests of Model 3 models registered 2019-2023.

About 1 in 7 electricity Model 3 cars registered in 2022 (15.2%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 15,737 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 20 Model 3 Mk1 MOTs (5.1%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2020 (5 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 21,865 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 10 Model 3 Mk1 MOTs (9.5%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2020 (5 years old).

Based on 21,865 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
30,40612.8%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
34,16913.1%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
21,86515.9%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
5,22315.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 5 years old.

How the Model 3 Mk1 compares

At each age below, see how the Model 3 Mk1 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 24,532 tests across 3 Tesla models, built around 2020 (5 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateTesla average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
30,40612.8%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
34,16913.1%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
21,86515.9%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
5,22315.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Model 3 Mk1.

  1. 1

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.9%
    Dangerous
    4.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    Lower fail rate: 9.8%, against 15.9% for the Tesla Model 3 Mk1, both built around 2020.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,003 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  2. 2

    Alfa Romeo Giulia

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.5%
    Dangerous
    4.5%

    Lower fail rate: 10.2%, against 15.9% for the Tesla Model 3 Mk1, both built around 2020.

    1,198 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  3. 3

    Mazda 6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    4.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    Lower fail rate: 10.9%, against 15.9% for the Tesla Model 3 Mk1, both built around 2020.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,568 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  4. 4

    BMW 5 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.5%
    Dangerous
    4.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.6%

    Lower fail rate: 10.8%, against 15.9% for the Tesla Model 3 Mk1, both built around 2020.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    13,037 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

11 recalls in all

10 of the 11 Model 3 Mk1 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 10 recalls

Top concerns

  • Update vehicle software to rectify EPAS functionality
  • Update vehicle software to correct TPMS behaviour
  • A loss of low voltage system support may cause the audio subsystem to be unavailable

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

How Model 3 Mk1 cars have aged

How Model 3 Mk1 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%3456Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 13.7% (25,084 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 12.6% (23,416 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 15.4% (16,847 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (15,837 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 16.2% (15,083 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 13.0% (7,161 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 14.8% (6,395 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 15.4% (5,635 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 15.4% (5,223 tests, 2025 data)2019
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Tesla Model 3 models of this age

This list covers every Tesla Model 3 built around 2020, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    24.9%
    Advisory: 8,629Fail: 1,490 (15% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    13.3%
    Advisory: 5,093Fail: 32 (1% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    11.7%
    Advisory: 3,689Fail: 796 (18% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    8.7%
    Advisory: 1,266Fail: 1,674 (57% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    5.0%
    Advisory: 839Fail: 597 (42% of the times it was found)

Based on 21,865 tests

Looking at a Tesla Model 3 Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2020 (5 years old), the Tesla Model 3 Mk1 (2019-2023) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 21,865 5-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 91,663 MOT tests on Tesla Model 3 models first registered between 2019-2023. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.