2015 Tesla Model S — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2015 Tesla Model S passed 83.8% of its 7,404 recorded MOT tests. Executive cars of a similar age fail 14.1% of the time, so this is 2.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 8.5% of tests against 5.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, ball joint and pins and bushes — tread depth alone was recorded 331 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 21.7% versus 10.1%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 26.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 12.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.5% | 632 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.1% | 375 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.8% | 210 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 159 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.1% | 154 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.6% | 116 |
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 | 331 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 217 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 200 |
| 4 | Wipers | 142 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 127 |
| 6 | Door condition | 102 |
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 | 26.1% | 1,935 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.3% | 1,354 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.1% | 1,341 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.7% | 425 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 295 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 126 |
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 | 355 | 10.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,584 | 12.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,296 | 15.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,655 | 18.5% |
| 120-150k | 859 | 19.3% |
| 150k+ | 637 | 21.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,408 | 12.6% |
| 2022 | 1,467 | 14.0% |
| 2023 | 1,490 | 15.3% |
| 2024 | 1,534 | 19.2% |
| 2025 | 1,505 | 19.7% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Model S
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 8.5% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (8.5% 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 (5.1% 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.
- Visibility (2.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2015 Tesla Model Ss pass their MOT?
83.8% of the 7,404 2015 Tesla Model S MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Tesla Model S?
Tyres, recorded in 8.5% of tests, followed by suspension (5.1%).
Does the 2015 Model S get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.1% in the 0-30k band to 21.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,404 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.