Used buying checklist
Tesla Model X reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Tesla Model X looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 14.1% of 4,627 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 tyres and wheels.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and tyres and wheels.
Start with suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and tyres and wheels, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
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.
- 14.1% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 49,831 miles
- 654 failed MOT tests analysed
Suspension and steering is the clearest area to check
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (9.7 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated, ball joint excessively worn, and ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
- ball joint excessively worn
- ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- across an axle
- of an obligatory external mirror significantly affected by an obstruction
- seriously damaged, affecting the rear view
- provides insufficient washer liquid
- does not clear the windscreen effectively
- Nail in tyre
- wheel speed sensor excessively damaged
Focus on suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and tyres and wheels
The model's recorded failure rate is 14.1%, -4.6 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 analysed4,627 tests
- Median tested mileage49,831 miles
- Failed MOT tests654
Should you buy a used Tesla Model X?
85.9% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 14.1%, -4.6 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.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and tyres and wheels
- 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 dust cover severely deteriorated"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and tyres and wheels.
Start with suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and tyres and wheels, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (9.7 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Tesla Model X, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and tyres and wheels.
The MOT failure rate rises from 14.3% at 3-6 years to 13.7% at 6-10 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%.
Start with suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, 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.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, tyres and wheels, 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.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (9.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (3.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Other MOT issues Seen in MOT results
Other MOT issues is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (115.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Read the MOT history closely and ask what has changed since the last test.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Tesla Model X, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and tyres and wheels.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (9.7 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Tesla Model X mainly involve 4 areas: mixed recall notices, brakes, seatbelts and safety systems, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Tesla Model X, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and tyres and wheels. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and tyres and wheels.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 2,297 | 1,969 | 12.8%+2.0 percentage points vs all models | 34,850 miles |
| 50-100k | 2,027 | 1,666 | 15.8%-4.9 percentage points vs all models | 64,275 miles |
| 100-150k | 205 | 167 | 14.1%-12.1 percentage points vs all models | 112,726 miles |
| 150-200k | 35 | 26 | 20.0%-7.3 percentage points vs all models | 167,258 miles |
| 200k+ | 4 | 3 | 25.0%-1.6 percentage points vs all models | 201,366 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Tesla Model X, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and tyres and wheels.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 14.3% at 3-6 years to 13.7% at 6-10 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 14.3% for 3-6 years cars, based on 3,444 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
3,444 | 2,876 | 14.3%+3.7 percentage points vs all models | 5.0 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
1,183 | 984 | 13.7%-2.9 percentage points vs all models | 6.2 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.
| 2025-03-28 | Loss of Rearview Camera Display Recall On a small percentage of affected vehicles upon vehicle power up the car computer board may experience a short resulting in the loss of rear view camera functionality . Over the air software update or Car Computer replacement if necessary. |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| 2023-12-15 | A first-row seat belt was disconnected from its pretensioner anchor as part of a necessary step to perform a repair during a service visit. After the repair was completed on certain affected vehicles the first-row seat belt may not have been reconnected to its pretensioner anchor to specification. A first-row seat belt was disconnected from its pretensioner anchor as part of a necessary step to perform a repair during a service visit. After the repair was completed on certain affected vehicles the first-row seat belt may not have been reconnected to its pretensioner anchor to specification. Inspect and re-install. |
| 2023-12-15 | On certain MY 2021-2023 Model X vehicles the vehicle controller that detects the sensor voltage that indicates brake fluid level may not have a sufficient threshold range at low fluid levels. A vehicle controller that does not correctly indicate low brake fluid levels to the customer On certain MY 2021-2023 Model X vehicles the vehicle controller that detects the sensor voltage that indicates brake fluid level may not have a sufficient threshold range at low fluid levels. A vehicle controller that does not correctly indicate low brake fluid levels to the customer Owners of affected vehicles only need to install OTA (over the air) software release 2023.32.7 or a later software release No service visit is necessary |
| 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. |
| 2017-10-12 | SEAT MAY NOT CORRECTLY LATCH The left-side fold-flat second row seat may have a misadjusted cable that controls the recliner mechanisms. Incorrect adjustment may prevent one of the recliners from fully latching. On affected vehicles check cable and adjust if necessary. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Tesla Model X. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Tesla reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
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.