2020 Tesla Model 3 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2020 Tesla Model 3 passed 86.1% of its 74,238 recorded MOT tests. Executive cars of a similar age fail 10.0% of the time, so this is 3.9pp 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 10.9% of tests against 2.6% 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 5,821 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 17.6% once past 150k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 4.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 10.9% | 8,081 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 1,969 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.8% | 1,329 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.0% | 728 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.7% | 509 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.3% | 195 |
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 | 5,821 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,688 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 1,139 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 704 |
| 5 | Washers | 484 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 431 |
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 | 25.4% | 18,859 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.3% | 8,425 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.2% | 5,337 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.9% | 3,669 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.2% | 1,659 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.1% | 828 |
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 | 20,537 | 11.3% |
| 30-60k | 37,113 | 14.2% |
| 60-90k | 12,959 | 16.8% |
| 90-120k | 2,743 | 16.1% |
| 120-150k | 634 | 17.2% |
| 150k+ | 210 | 17.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 120 | 4.2% |
| 2022 | 450 | 8.2% |
| 2023 | 23,377 | 14.0% |
| 2024 | 24,999 | 13.5% |
| 2025 | 25,292 | 14.4% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Model 3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 10.9% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (10.9% 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 (2.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (1.8% 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 2020 Tesla Model 3s pass their MOT?
86.1% of the 74,238 2020 Tesla Model 3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Tesla Model 3?
Tyres, recorded in 10.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.6%).
Does the 2020 Model 3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.3% in the 0-30k band to 17.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 74,238 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.