2021 Tesla Model 3 — MOT failures & pass rate
77,197 MOT tests on the 2021 Tesla Model 3 are in this dataset, and 88.0% of them passed. That is 2.2 percentage points worse than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 9.8%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 10.1% of all tests — 8.5 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, pins and bushes and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 5,991 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 Model 3 fails 8.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 10.5% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.2 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 27.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.0% of tests failed in 2022 against 11.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 10.1% | 7,794 |
| 2 | Suspension | 1.6% | 1,269 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 792 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.9% | 699 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.4% | 329 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.2% | 167 |
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 | 5,991 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 1,110 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 926 |
| 4 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 921 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 712 |
| 6 | Washers | 454 |
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 | 27.3% | 21,041 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.3% | 6,382 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.4% | 5,754 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.0% | 3,845 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.3% | 1,758 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.7% | 555 |
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 | 22,398 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 39,299 | 13.0% |
| 60-90k | 11,864 | 15.2% |
| 90-120k | 2,631 | 15.1% |
| 120-150k | 678 | 13.3% |
| 150k+ | 325 | 10.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 477 | 5.0% |
| 2023 | 1,213 | 5.4% |
| 2024 | 36,496 | 12.8% |
| 2025 | 38,986 | 11.6% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Model 3
On a 2021 Model 3, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (10.1% 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.
- Suspension (1.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2021 Tesla Model 3s pass their MOT?
88.0% of the 77,197 2021 Tesla Model 3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Tesla Model 3?
Tyres, recorded in 10.1% of tests, followed by suspension (1.6%).
Does the 2021 Model 3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 0-30k band to 10.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 77,197 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.