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Tesla Model S reliability by build year

Coverage 2014-present2 named generationsluxury saloonSaloonELECTRICITY
At a glance

Tesla Model S built around 2018: more fails still not passed 3 days later

Tesla Model Ses built around 2018 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.

Check a Tesla Model S by number plate

Key figure

6.4% of MOT tests on Tesla Model Ses built around 2018 failed and still hadn’t passed 3 days later. For similar cars the same age, it was 3.0%.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Tesla Model Ses built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Tesla Model S's most common MOT issues, turned into things to 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.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

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.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Model S's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Model S Mk1

Mk1 (2014-2020)

Average
ELECTRICITY

16.7% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 2,610 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Tesla Model S.

See every build year for the Tesla Model S

By age

Tesla Model S fail rate by age

This chart combines every Tesla Model S ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
47715.3%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
1,15814.3%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
1,77714.8%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
2,61016.7%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
2,86517.5%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
2,48219.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
1,04520.8%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
32620.9%

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 11 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Tesla Model S stacks up

Two ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other saloons

22nd of 29

22nd lowest fail rate of 29 saloons with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

16.7%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Tesla Model Ses

These issues come from 7-year-old Tesla Model Ses, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

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

    21.5%
    Advisory: 835Fail: 139 (14% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    13.4%
    Advisory: 574Fail: 122 (18% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    9.3%
    Advisory: 342Fail: 6 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    9.2%
    Advisory: 314Fail: 18 (5% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    7.3%
    Advisory: 141Fail: 125 (47% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,610 MOT tests on 7-year-old Tesla Model Ses, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Tesla Model Ses notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres32%
  2. Suspension + Tyres28%
  3. Brakes + Suspension27%
  4. Other + Tyres15%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 659 MOT tests on Tesla Model S cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

88%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

8 recalls in all

All 8 Tesla Model S recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 6 more

Top concerns

  • The propellant in the front passenger airbag inflator may degrade over time
  • Passenger airbag may not deploy as intended
  • Update vehicle firmware to restore Post-Crash eCall functionality

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

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.2%
    Dangerous
    4.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    Lower fail rate: 12.7%, against 16.7% for the Tesla Model S, both built around 2018.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    10,105 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Volvo S90

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.8%
    Dangerous
    5.9%

    Lower fail rate: 12.3%, against 16.7% for the Tesla Model S, both built around 2018.

    2,355 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Jaguar XE

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.6%
    Dangerous
    6%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 2.6%, against 6.4% for the Tesla Model S.

    8,135 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Jaguar XF

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.6%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.1%

    Lower fail rate: 13.3%, against 16.7% for the Tesla Model S, both built around 2018.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,761 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

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.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Tesla Model S across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 2,610 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Tesla Model S ever sold: 12,740 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 2,610 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.