2022 Tesla Model 3 — MOT failures & pass rate
24,941 MOT tests on the 2022 Tesla Model 3 are in this dataset, and 88.7% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail 9.4% of the time, so this is 1.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 9.9% of tests against 1.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and tyre pressure monitoring system — tread depth alone was recorded 1,933 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.9% in the 0-30k band and 14.0% in the 150k+ band, a 6.1-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 29.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 5.7% of tests failed in 2023 against 11.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 9.9% | 2,474 |
| 2 | Suspension | 1.1% | 273 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 263 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.0% | 243 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.4% | 88 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.2% | 54 |
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 | 1,933 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 347 |
| 3 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 236 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 228 |
| 5 | Washers | 169 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 119 |
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 | 29.6% | 7,389 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.2% | 1,800 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.5% | 1,385 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.5% | 1,362 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 625 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.7% | 170 |
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 | 8,310 | 7.9% |
| 30-60k | 11,809 | 13.1% |
| 60-90k | 3,438 | 12.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,024 | 13.3% |
| 120-150k | 267 | 11.2% |
| 150k+ | 93 | 14.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,362 | 5.7% |
| 2024 | 2,232 | 8.9% |
| 2025 | 21,334 | 11.9% |
What to check before buying a 2022 Model 3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 9.9% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (9.9% 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.
- Suspension (1.1% 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 (1.1% 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 2022 Tesla Model 3s pass their MOT?
88.7% of the 24,941 2022 Tesla Model 3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2022 Tesla Model 3?
Tyres, recorded in 9.9% of tests, followed by suspension (1.1%).
Does the 2022 Model 3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.9% in the 0-30k band to 14.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,941 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.