Used car guide

2020 Tesla Model S: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2020 Tesla Model Ss, from 937 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

937MOT tests in 2025
81%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
10,800typical miles a year
9.8×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2020 Tesla Model Ss than on all cars registered in 2020.

  • Ball joint9.8× usual
    Tesla Model S
    5.9% All 2020 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.2% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints3.2× usual
    Tesla Model S
    5.7% All 2020 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.3% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Better than most

Brake pads: 2.6% here, against 9.3% of all 2020 cars.

By area

The share of 2020 Tesla Model S MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    31% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Suspension
    13% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    10% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    2% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Tesla Model S?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20191,267Tyres 28%
20181,905Tyres 28%
20172,571Tyres 32%
20162,343Tyres 31%
20151,280Tyres 33%
2014599Tyres 31%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2020 Tesla Model Ss registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score