2014 Tesla Model S — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,595 MOT tests, the 2014 Tesla Model S recorded an 81.1% pass rate. That is 3.4 percentage points worse than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 15.6%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (8.6%) and suspension (6.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, ball joint and linkage ball joint dust cover — tread depth alone was recorded 207 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.4% in the 0-30k band and 24.9% in the 150k+ band, a 10.6-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 13.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.6% | 311 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.7% | 242 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.7% | 133 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.2% | 114 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.6% | 93 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.6% | 56 |
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 | 207 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 192 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 76 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 70 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 68 |
| 6 | Wipers | 62 |
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 | 26.8% | 962 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.9% | 716 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.4% | 627 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.0% | 181 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 158 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.5% | 125 |
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 | 174 | 14.4% |
| 30-60k | 592 | 14.7% |
| 60-90k | 995 | 16.0% |
| 90-120k | 856 | 19.3% |
| 120-150k | 502 | 24.5% |
| 150k+ | 469 | 24.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 680 | 13.1% |
| 2022 | 731 | 18.3% |
| 2023 | 734 | 19.6% |
| 2024 | 727 | 22.0% |
| 2025 | 723 | 21.2% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Model S
On a 2014 Model S, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (8.6% 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 (6.7% 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 (3.7% 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 2014 Tesla Model Ss pass their MOT?
81.1% of the 3,595 2014 Tesla Model S MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Tesla Model S?
Tyres, recorded in 8.6% of tests, followed by suspension (6.7%).
Does the 2014 Model S get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.4% in the 0-30k band to 24.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,595 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.