2023 Tesla Model Y — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2023 Tesla Model Y passed 92.8% of its 3,090 recorded MOT tests. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 5.3% of the time, so this is 1.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.4% of all tests — 5.1 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, ball joint and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 94 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 7.1% versus 3.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 16.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 0.0% of tests failed in 2023 against 7.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.4% | 197 |
| 2 | Suspension | 1.2% | 38 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 0.8% | 24 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.7% | 20 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.1% | 4 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.1% | 4 |
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 | 94 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 34 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 26 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 22 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 18 |
| 6 | Washers | 13 |
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 | 16.2% | 500 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.1% | 188 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.0% | 61 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.3% | 41 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.5% | 15 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.2% | 6 |
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 | 897 | 3.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,305 | 8.9% |
| 60-90k | 622 | 9.8% |
| 90-120k | 210 | 6.2% |
| 120-150k | 42 | 7.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 36 | 0.0% |
| 2024 | 1,039 | 7.8% |
| 2025 | 2,015 | 7.0% |
What to check before buying a 2023 Model Y
On a 2023 Model Y, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.4% 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 (1.2% 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 (0.8% 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 2023 Tesla Model Ys pass their MOT?
92.8% of the 3,090 2023 Tesla Model Y MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Tesla Model Y?
Tyres, recorded in 6.4% of tests, followed by suspension (1.2%).
Does the 2023 Model Y get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.1% in the 0-30k band to 7.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,090 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.