2021 · 3 years old at test · Electric mostly

2021 Tesla Model MOT pass rate and common faults

32,570 MOT tests in 2024. 84.4% passed first time, compared with 87.6% for all cars the same age.

96Below average
Passed first time84.4%
Failed or needed repairs15.6%
Typical mileage at test34,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 32,570 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm6.2%
    3,639 marked dangerous
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.4%
    1,781 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.8%
  4. Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative1.1%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn0.6%
  6. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.5%
    200 marked dangerous
  7. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn0.4%
  8. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.3%
  9. Headlamp aim: too low0.3%
  10. Headlamp aim: too high0.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres15.1%
  2. Lights & electrics1.3%
  3. Suspension1.3%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.0%
  5. Brakes0.5%
  6. Wheels0.3%
  7. Number plates & VIN0.2%
  8. Body & chassis0.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm23.6%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened4.5%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.6%
  4. Tread depth: tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm3.1%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.7%

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: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. 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 2021 Tesla Model?

In 2024, 84.4% of 2021 Tesla Model cars passed their MOT first time, across 32,570 tests. The average for all 3-year-old cars was 87.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2021 Tesla Model?

The most common failure reasons were tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2021 Tesla Model reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 96, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).