2016 Tesla Model S — MOT failures & pass rate
13,202 MOT tests on the 2016 Tesla Model S are in this dataset, and 85.1% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (12.8% fail rate), the 2016 Model S comes out 2.1pp worse. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 8.2% of all tests — 4.8 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and pins and bushes — tread depth alone was recorded 573 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.5% in the 0-30k band and 17.9% in the 150k+ band, a 9.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.2% | 1,086 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.4% | 450 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.6% | 349 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 322 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.1% | 282 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.4% | 178 |
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 | 573 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 276 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 253 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 239 |
| 5 | Wipers | 219 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 184 |
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 | 25.1% | 3,307 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.4% | 2,040 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.7% | 1,938 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.0% | 666 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 443 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 301 |
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 | 808 | 8.5% |
| 30-60k | 3,592 | 11.3% |
| 60-90k | 4,242 | 14.9% |
| 90-120k | 2,445 | 18.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,107 | 21.3% |
| 150k+ | 980 | 17.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,492 | 11.2% |
| 2022 | 2,559 | 12.6% |
| 2023 | 2,703 | 15.6% |
| 2024 | 2,737 | 17.2% |
| 2025 | 2,711 | 17.7% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Model S
On a 2016 Model S, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (8.2% 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 (3.4% 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 (2.6% 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 2016 Tesla Model Ss pass their MOT?
85.1% of the 13,202 2016 Tesla Model S MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Tesla Model S?
Tyres, recorded in 8.2% of tests, followed by suspension (3.4%).
Does the 2016 Model S get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.5% in the 0-30k band to 17.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,202 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.