2019 Tesla Model 3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 44,796 MOT tests, the 2019 Tesla Model 3 recorded an 87.2% pass rate. Executive cars of a similar age fail 10.4% of the time, so this is 2.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 10.2% of tests against 2.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and pins and bushes — tread depth alone was recorded 3,042 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2019 Model 3 fails 9.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 10.7% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.4 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 4.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 10.2% | 4,561 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.9% | 1,316 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.4% | 617 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.9% | 416 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.6% | 282 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.3% | 140 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 3,042 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,361 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 471 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 383 |
| 5 | Washers | 305 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 219 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 25.1% | 11,256 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.2% | 5,901 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.7% | 3,007 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.0% | 2,258 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 1,101 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.5% | 663 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 12,966 | 9.3% |
| 30-60k | 21,290 | 13.3% |
| 60-90k | 7,849 | 16.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,894 | 16.9% |
| 120-150k | 475 | 15.4% |
| 150k+ | 263 | 10.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 219 | 4.6% |
| 2022 | 10,051 | 10.8% |
| 2023 | 11,289 | 12.7% |
| 2024 | 11,481 | 13.5% |
| 2025 | 11,756 | 14.1% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Model 3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 10.2% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (10.2% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (2.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (1.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2019 Tesla Model 3s pass their MOT?
87.2% of the 44,796 2019 Tesla Model 3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Tesla Model 3?
Tyres, recorded in 10.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.9%).
Does the 2019 Model 3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.3% in the 0-30k band to 10.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 44,796 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.