Tesla Model 3 common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Tesla Model 3, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 185,953 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
Pick the year
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
What usually goes wrong with a Tesla Model 3?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2019–2025 · All versions
Build quality: panels, paint and leaks
Misaligned panels and poor paint are common, door seals can let water in, and the rear screen can crack.
At the viewing: Look along the panel gaps, check the paint, feel the carpets for damp and look at the rear screen.
Source: Auto Express: used Tesla Model 3 (Mk1, 2019 on) review
- Cars registered 2019–2025 · All versions
Eight recalls (2020–2022)
Recalls covered a missing steering column bolt, loose brake caliper bolts, seatbelts, suspension, airbags, parking camera wiring, eCall software and the speedometer.
At the viewing: Check the car’s recalls in the Tesla app or with Tesla.
Source: Auto Express: used Tesla Model 3 (Mk1, 2019 on) review
Common Tesla Model 3 MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Suspension arm bushes and joints
up to 7.5× usualStands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Ball joint
up to 6.8× usualStands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Tread depth
up to 2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Rough price £70–£150 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Tesla Model 3 MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2023 Tesla Model 3 did best (93% passed first time, 1 point above all 2023 cars) and the 2020 did worst (82%, 5 points below all 2020 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Tesla Model 3
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Has it had any water leaks or bodywork put right?
- Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 7.5× as often on the Tesla Model 3 as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 6.8× as often on the Tesla Model 3 as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the tread depth? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the Tesla Model 3 as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Tesla Model 3?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score