2019 Tesla Model X — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2019 Tesla Model X passed 85.7% of its 5,321 recorded MOT tests. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 9.8% of the time, so this is 4.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 10.8% of all tests — 8.2 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, wipers and washers — tread depth alone was recorded 218 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 13.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 20.6% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 29.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 10.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 10.8% | 574 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.6% | 138 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.3% | 67 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.0% | 54 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 45 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.8% | 44 |
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 | 218 |
| 2 | Wipers | 100 |
| 3 | Washers | 54 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 52 |
| 5 | Joints | 38 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 36 |
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 | 29.1% | 1,547 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.6% | 618 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.3% | 337 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.2% | 276 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.2% | 168 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.3% | 124 |
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 | 1,494 | 13.0% |
| 30-60k | 2,570 | 14.2% |
| 60-90k | 959 | 15.3% |
| 90-120k | 209 | 18.7% |
| 120-150k | 46 | 13.0% |
| 150k+ | 34 | 20.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 39 | 10.3% |
| 2022 | 1,197 | 12.4% |
| 2023 | 1,307 | 12.7% |
| 2024 | 1,358 | 15.4% |
| 2025 | 1,420 | 16.6% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Model X
On a 2019 Model X, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (10.8% 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 (2.6% 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.
- Brakes (1.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2019 Tesla Model Xs pass their MOT?
85.7% of the 5,321 2019 Tesla Model X MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Tesla Model X?
Tyres, recorded in 10.8% of tests, followed by visibility (2.6%).
Does the 2019 Model X get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.0% in the 0-30k band to 20.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,321 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.