2020 · 4 years old at test · Electric mostly

2020 Tesla Model S MOT pass rate and common faults

894 MOT tests in 2024. 81.7% passed first time, compared with 86.9% for all cars the same age.

94Below average
Passed first time81.7%
Failed or needed repairs18.3%
Typical mileage at test44,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 894 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed4.6%
    55 marked dangerous
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.7%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.0%
    53 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.7%
  5. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.7%
  6. Road Wheels - condition: fractured1.1%
    17 marked dangerous
  7. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.9%
    17 marked dangerous
  8. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn0.6%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Tyres12.5%
  2. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.0%
  3. Suspension1.5%
  4. Wheels1.2%
  5. Lights & electrics1.1%
  6. Brakes1.1%
  7. Body & chassis0.6%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.8%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.8%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords3.7%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened3.4%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn2.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2020 Tesla Model S?

In 2024, 81.7% of 2020 Tesla Model S cars passed their MOT first time, across 894 tests. The average for all 4-year-old cars was 86.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2020 Tesla Model S?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2020 Tesla Model S reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 94, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).