Tesla Model Y MOT pass rate & common failures
The Tesla Model Y appears in 41,449 MOT tests spanning model years 2020–2025, and 87.7% of them passed. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (7.4% fail rate), the Model Y comes out 4.9pp worse. Its most common failure areas are tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 10.2% of tests against 1.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and ball joint — tread depth alone was recorded 1,319 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the Model Y fails 9.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 11.3% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.9 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 28.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 2.1% of tests failed in 2023 against 12.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Model Y model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 37,740 | 87.2% | 12.8% | Tyres |
| 2023 | 3,090 | 92.8% | 7.1% | Tyres |
| 2024 | 565 | 95.4% | 4.6% | Tyres |
| 2025 | 39 | 100.0% | 0.0% | - |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 10.2% | 4,229 |
| 2 | Suspension | 1.9% | 777 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 531 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.9% | 363 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.4% | 179 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 112 |
| 7 | Other defects | 0.3% | 112 |
| 8 | Road wheels | 0.1% | 47 |
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 | 1,319 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 732 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 624 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 522 |
| 5 | Washers | 267 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 255 |
| 7 | Registration plates | 181 |
| 8 | Wipers | 121 |
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 | 28.3% | 11,749 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.6% | 3,980 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.8% | 2,402 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.5% | 2,301 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.9% | 790 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.4% | 155 |
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 | 16,801 | 9.4% |
| 30-60k | 20,134 | 14.2% |
| 60-90k | 3,668 | 15.3% |
| 90-120k | 631 | 10.9% |
| 120-150k | 144 | 15.3% |
| 150k+ | 71 | 11.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 282 | 2.1% |
| 2024 | 1,852 | 7.7% |
| 2025 | 39,300 | 12.6% |
What to check before buying a Tesla Model Y
- Tyres (10.2% 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 (1.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.3% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Tesla Model Y?
87.7% of the 41,449 Tesla Model Y MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 12.3% fail rate, across model years 2020–2025.
What does the Tesla Model Y most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres, recorded in 10.2% of tests, then suspension (1.9%).
How much does mileage affect Model Y MOT results?
Fail rates run at 9.4% for cars in the 0-30k band and 11.3% for 150k+, a 1.9-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 41,449 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.