2017 Tesla Model S — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 13,991 MOT tests, the 2017 Tesla Model S recorded an 87.1% pass rate. Executive cars of a similar age fail 11.7% of the time, so this is 1.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 7.9% of tests against 2.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and wipers — tread depth alone was recorded 709 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 18.8% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 24.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 9.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.9% | 1,102 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.7% | 377 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.1% | 301 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 292 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.6% | 217 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.9% | 119 |
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 | 709 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 292 |
| 3 | Wipers | 251 |
| 4 | Washers | 165 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 162 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 142 |
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 | 24.7% | 3,454 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.2% | 1,849 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.8% | 1,508 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.9% | 686 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.0% | 415 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 288 |
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 | 1,545 | 9.1% |
| 30-60k | 5,366 | 10.6% |
| 60-90k | 4,116 | 13.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,791 | 16.5% |
| 120-150k | 718 | 18.9% |
| 150k+ | 436 | 18.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,670 | 9.4% |
| 2022 | 2,720 | 10.8% |
| 2023 | 2,795 | 13.0% |
| 2024 | 2,882 | 15.1% |
| 2025 | 2,924 | 15.6% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Model S
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 7.9% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (7.9% 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.
- Visibility (2.7% 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.
- Suspension (2.1% 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.
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 2017 Tesla Model Ss pass their MOT?
87.1% of the 13,991 2017 Tesla Model S MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Tesla Model S?
Tyres, recorded in 7.9% of tests, followed by visibility (2.7%).
Does the 2017 Model S get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 0-30k band to 18.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,991 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.