Used car guide · 2014–2024

Tesla Model S common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Tesla Model S, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 32,201 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2023 Tesla Model S

Cars registered in 2023 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Tesla Model S as a whole.

68on the UK register at the end of 2025
2026first MOT due
Electricfuel type
What to check on a 2023 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

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).

2024202320212020201920182017201620152014

What usually goes wrong with a Tesla Model S?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Tesla Model S in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Tesla Model S 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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

    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 joints

    up to 3.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 4.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

Tesla Model S MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2015 Tesla Model S did best (77% passed first time, 3 points above all 2015 cars) and the 2020 did worst (81%, 6 points below all 2020 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202081%87% -62,639
201984%85% -13,691
201884%83% +15,597
201782%80% +27,555
201679%77% +27,041
201577%74% +33,859
201473%70% +31,819

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Tesla Model S

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 9× as often on the Tesla Model S as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the Tesla Model S as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.3× as often on the Tesla Model S as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Tesla Model S?

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