Used buying checklist

Tesla Model S reliability, common problems and used buying checks

A used Tesla Model S looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 13.9% of 10,783 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure.

Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.

• 13.9% MOT failure rate
• Median tested mileage 65,349 miles
• 1,499 failed MOT tests analysed

Most useful finding

Suspension and steering is the clearest area to check

Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (14.1 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include ball joint excessively worn, of different sizes are fitted on the same axle., and ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.

Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:

• ball joint excessively worn
• of different sizes are fitted on the same axle.
• ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
• ball joint has excessive play
• jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen
• damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
• provides insufficient washer liquid
• does not clear the windscreen effectively
• prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength
• corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened

Before you view one

Focus on suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure

The model's recorded failure rate is 13.9%, -4.8 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.

• MOT tests analysed10,783 tests
• Median tested mileage65,349 miles
• Failed MOT tests1,499

Used buyer verdict

Should you buy a used Tesla Model S?

86.1% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 13.9%, -4.8 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.

Better than average in our MOT data

Green light if The car has a tidy MOT pattern, recent repairs for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure, matching tyres, and paperwork for service or recall work.

Renegotiate if The latest MOT mentions suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure, consumables are due together, or the seller cannot show what was fixed after advisories.

Walk away if Dangerous defects, corrosion near structural areas, warning lights, or the same component family keep returning without clear repair evidence.

• Repeat unresolved MOT notes for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure
• suspension and steering appearing across more than one MOT
• Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
• No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
• A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "ball joint excessively worn"

What should I check first?

Start with suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.

• Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results

  Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (14.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.

  • Ask the seller: Has any suspension, steering, ball-joint, spring, or wheel-bearing advisory been repaired?
  • Example MOT wording: ball joint excessively worn; of different sizes are fitted on the same axle.; ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
  • Where it shows up: seen across most mileage ranges
• Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results

  Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (4.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.

  • Ask the seller: Have windscreen, wiper, washer, mirror, or demisting faults appeared in recent MOT history?
  • Example MOT wording: jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen; damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view; provides insufficient washer liquid
  • Where it shows up: seen across most mileage ranges
• Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results

  Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (3.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.

  • Ask the seller: Has any sill, subframe, mounting-point, chassis, or structural corrosion advisory been repaired properly?
  • Example MOT wording: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened; corroded and seriously weakened
  • Where it shows up: most visible around 50-100k, 100-150k, and 200k+ miles
• Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results

  Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.

  • Ask the seller: Have any lighting, warning-light, horn, battery, or electrical MOT notes come back more than once?
  • Example MOT wording: has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced; light intensity obviously reduced; lens slightly defective
  • Where it shows up: seen across most mileage ranges
• Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results

  Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.

  • Ask the seller: Have uneven tyre wear, damaged tyres, wheel damage, or alignment issues been corrected?
  • Example MOT wording: Nail in tyre; primary retaining device excessively deteriorated; primary retaining device ineffective
  • Where it shows up: most visible around 0-50k and 150-200k miles
• Other MOT issues Seen in MOT results

  Other MOT issues is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (109.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Read the MOT history closely and ask what has changed since the last test.

  • Ask the seller: Are there repeat MOT advisories that still have not been repaired?
  • Example MOT wording: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened; excessively fluctuating; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
  • Where it shows up: seen across most mileage ranges

What changes with mileage?

Past 100k miles on the Tesla Model S, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.

Common MOT problem areas

10,783 MOT tests analysed for this model

8,779 Distinct vehicles represented

13.9% Recorded MOT test failure rate — -4.8 percentage points vs all models

Common faults: what usually fails on this model?

Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (14.1 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.

Suspension and steering

• ball joint excessively worn
• of different sizes are fitted on the same axle.

14.1 MOT notes per 100 tests

Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors

• jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen
• damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view

4.7 MOT notes per 100 tests

Corrosion and structure

• prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength
• corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened

3.4 MOT notes per 100 tests

Lights and electrical

• has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced
• light intensity obviously reduced

2.9 MOT notes per 100 tests

Tyres and wheels

• Nail in tyre
• primary retaining device excessively deteriorated

1.5 MOT notes per 100 tests

Recall-related areas to verify

Official recall areas

Manufacturer recall notices for the Tesla Model S mainly involve 5 areas: mixed recall notices, seatbelts and safety systems, brakes, and suspension and steering. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.

Mixed recall notices

• Update Vehicle Firmware To Restore Post-Crash eCall Functionality
• Misalignment of the hood latch may prevent latching of the secondary latch

3 recalls · 17,893 vehicles

Seatbelts and safety systems

• The propellant in the front passenger airbag inflator may degrade over time
• Seatbelt may not perform correctly

2 recalls · 7,491 vehicles

Brakes

• Parking brake may not release correctly

1 recall · 1,466 vehicles

Suspension and steering

• Loss of power steering assistance

1 recall · 3,243 vehicles

Corrosion and structure

• Passenger airbag may not deploy as intended

1 recall · 3 vehicles

Mileage and age checks

Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?

Past 100k miles on the Tesla Model S, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.

Mileage range	Tests	Vehicles	Failure rate (vs all models)	Median mileage
0-50k	3,222	2,814	10.2%-0.6 percentage points vs all models	36,721 miles
50-100k	5,434	4,482	14.8%-5.9 percentage points vs all models	70,172 miles
100-150k	1,536	1,222	17.1%-9.1 percentage points vs all models	115,428 miles
150-200k	323	241	19.8%-7.5 percentage points vs all models	165,565 miles
200k+	130	95	17.7%-8.9 percentage points vs all models	242,225 miles

Problem areas by mileage

Past 100k miles on the Tesla Model S, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.

Mileage range	Car areas most often recorded	Specific MOT defect examples
0-50k	Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors (3.7 MOT notes per 100 tests) Suspension and steering (3.1 MOT notes per 100 tests) Lights and electrical (2.0 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
50-100k	Suspension and steering (13.4 MOT notes per 100 tests) Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors (5.1 MOT notes per 100 tests) Corrosion and structure (3.8 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
100-150k	Suspension and steering (34.4 MOT notes per 100 tests) Corrosion and structure (6.9 MOT notes per 100 tests) Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors (5.1 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
150-200k	Suspension and steering (36.8 MOT notes per 100 tests) Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors (7.4 MOT notes per 100 tests) Lights and electrical (4.0 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
200k+	Suspension and steering (27.7 MOT notes per 100 tests) Lights and electrical (10.0 MOT notes per 100 tests) Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors (6.9 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.

Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?

The MOT failure rate rises from 16.7% at 0-3 years to 0.0% at 10-15 years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 16.7% for 0-3 years cars, based on 6 tests.

Age range	Tests	Vehicles	Failure rate (vs all models)	Median age
0-3 years 2023–2026 reg.	6	4	16.7%+8.2 percentage points vs all models	2.9 years
3-6 years 2020–2023 reg.	4,615	3,856	12.2%+1.6 percentage points vs all models	5.1 years
6-10 years 2016–2020 reg.	6,160	4,982	15.2%-1.4 percentage points vs all models	7.1 years
10-15 years 2011–2016 reg.	2	2	0.0%-23.5 percentage points vs all models	10.3 years

Recall records and data freshness

Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?

6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.

2025-03-07	Update Vehicle Firmware To Restore Post-Crash eCall Functionality On affected vehicles the eCall audio system will not operate in compliance with Regulations when the front passenger seat is occupied. As a result communications between the occupants of the vehicle and an eCall public safety answer point are unavailable post-crash. Install modified software via an Over the Air (OTA) wireless update.
2022-02-18	MISALIGNMENT OF THE HOOD LATCH MAY PREVENT LATCHING OF THE SECONDARY LATCH Misalignment of the hood latch may prevent latching of the secondary latch. Inspect the secondary hood latch on affected vehicles. If the hood is not properly retained by the secondary latch the latch mechanism will be reassembled and repositioned to assure proper alignment.
2021-02-01	WHEN THE eMMC REACHES ACCUMULATED LIFETIME WEAR THE CUSTOMER MAY EXPERIENCE A BLANK CENTRE DISPLAY When the eMMC reaches accumulated lifetime wear the customer may experience a blank centre display. Ensure current software is installed and upgrade the VCM daughterboard to a 64GB Micron eMMC.
2019-01-11	THE PROPELLANT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR MAY DEGRADE OVER TIME The front passenger airbag inflator could rupture in the event the airbag is deployed. Replace the front passenger air bag on affected vehicles.
2018-03-30	LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE Potential failure of steering gear motor bolts when exposed to long term high corrosive environment. This can lead to loss of power assistance to the steering which would result in additional effort from the driver to steer the vehicle. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the aluminium bolts with stainless steel bolts. Where necessary the steering rack will be replaced.
2018-01-31	PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED The propellant in the front passenger airbag inflator might degrade over time which could cause the inflator body torture in the event the airbag is deployed. This could cause injury to occupants. On affected vehicles replace the passenger airbag.

Related searches

Common ways people look up the Tesla Model S. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.

• Tesla Model S common problems
• Tesla Model S reliability
• Tesla Model S after 100k miles
• Tesla Model S after 200k miles
• Tesla Model S high mileage common problems
• Tesla Model S age related problems
• Tesla Model S MOT failures
• Tesla Model S recalls

Related reliability guides

Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.