Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 27,886 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 17.2%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd MOT Reliability Overview
The Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd is a relatively common sight on UK roads, with 27,886 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 4 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.8% and a failure rate of 17.2%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd presents for MOT with approximately 39,856 miles on the clock. Manufacture year matters: 2021 models achieve the highest pass rate at 86.0%, while 2022 models have the lowest at 76.5%. This 9.5 percentage point difference suggests notable variation in build quality or component durability across production years.
The most common MOT failure for the Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd is Tyres, affecting 26.1% of all tests. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. The second most common issue is Brakes at 7.2%. Suspension rounds out the top three at 3.9%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Best Year to Buy
Based on MOT data, 2021 models have the highest pass rate at 86.0%.
Based on 2024 MOT test results only — the most recent data available. "Built" = year of manufacture. Cars need their first MOT at 3 years old, so the newest cars shown are from ~3 years ago.
Bar chart showing pass rate by manufacture year from 2019 to 2021
📈 How Each Vintage Ages
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 26.1% | 7,287 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.2% | 2,001 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.9% | 1,098 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 3.5% | 964 |
| 5 | Road Wheels | 1.6% | 458 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.4% | 404 |
| 7 | Non-component Advisories | 1.2% | 340 |
| 8 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 0.7% | 208 |
| 9 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 0.1% | 33 |
| 10 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 0.1% | 22 |
| 11 | Steering | 0.1% | 15 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 39,856 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 6.56 | 26.1% | 7,287 |
| Brakes | 1.80 | 7.2% | 2,001 |
| Suspension | 0.99 | 3.9% | 1,098 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.87 | 3.5% | 964 |
| Wheels | 0.41 | 1.6% | 458 |
| Visibility | 0.36 | 1.4% | 404 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.31 | 1.2% | 340 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.19 | 0.7% | 208 |
| Body & Structure | 0.03 | 0.1% | 33 |
| Seat Belts | 0.02 | 0.1% | 22 |
| Steering | 0.01 | 0.1% | 15 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.01 | 0.0% | 11 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd has 39,856 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 4.32% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd MOT Data
The Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd is a relatively common sight on UK roads, with 27,886 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 4 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.8% and a failure rate of 17.2%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on tyres and brakes for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific Model 3 Performance Awd is likely to perform.
Tyres — 26.1% of failures
Tyres issues account for 26.1% of MOT failures on the Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Brakes — 7.2% of failures
Brakes issues account for 7.2% of MOT failures on the Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Suspension — 3.9% of failures
Suspension issues account for 3.9% of MOT failures on the Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd?
Based on 27,886 MOT tests in our database, the Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd has an overall pass rate of 82.8% (17.2% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd?
The top 3 reasons a Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd fails its MOT are: 1. Tyres (26.1%), 2. Brakes (7.2%), 3. Suspension (3.9%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd reliable?
With a 17.2% MOT failure rate, the Model 3 Performance Awd is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd?
Based on failure data, focus on: Tyres (26.1%); Brakes (7.2%); Suspension (3.9%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.