2018 Tesla Model S — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2018 Tesla Model S passed 88.3% of its 10,090 recorded MOT tests. Executive cars of a similar age fail at 10.9%, so the 2018 Model S sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 7.3% of all tests — 4.1 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, wipers and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 376 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 13.5% versus 8.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 10.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.3% | 734 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.1% | 318 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 229 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.4% | 142 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.0% | 99 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.6% | 59 |
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 | 376 |
| 2 | Wipers | 241 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 223 |
| 4 | Washers | 130 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 100 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 78 |
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 | 21.8% | 2,201 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.5% | 956 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.8% | 787 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.7% | 478 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 277 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 171 |
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 | 1,970 | 8.7% |
| 30-60k | 4,276 | 10.8% |
| 60-90k | 2,421 | 12.6% |
| 90-120k | 944 | 16.6% |
| 120-150k | 320 | 18.8% |
| 150k+ | 148 | 13.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,829 | 10.1% |
| 2022 | 1,962 | 9.2% |
| 2023 | 2,070 | 11.6% |
| 2024 | 2,088 | 13.1% |
| 2025 | 2,141 | 14.0% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Model S
On a 2018 Model S, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (7.3% 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 (3.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.3% 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 2018 Tesla Model Ss pass their MOT?
88.3% of the 10,090 2018 Tesla Model S MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Tesla Model S?
Tyres, recorded in 7.3% of tests, followed by visibility (3.1%).
Does the 2018 Model S get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.7% in the 0-30k band to 13.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,090 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.