2020 Tesla Model S — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,054 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Tesla Model S, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and suspension. Its pass rate of 85.7% was below the average for cars of a similar age (90.5%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 9.7% | 297 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.2% | 127 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.9% | 58 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 45 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 1.0% | 30 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.9% | 26 |
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 | 111 |
| 2 | Wipers | 97 |
| 3 | Washers | 48 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 46 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 43 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 34 |
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 | 22.0% | 673 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.1% | 247 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.8% | 206 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.4% | 105 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.4% | 105 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.6% | 48 |
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 | 841 | 15.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,393 | 13.4% |
| 60-90k | 608 | 15.5% |
| 90-120k | 149 | 16.1% |
| 120-150k | 45 | 15.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 947 | 14.9% |
| 2024 | 1,017 | 13.6% |
| 2025 | 1,060 | 15.0% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Model S
Before buying a 2020 Tesla Model S, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 9.7% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (9.7% 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 (4.2% 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.
- 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.
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 2020 Tesla Model Ss pass their MOT?
85.7% of the 3,054 2020 Tesla Model S MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Tesla Model S?
Tyres, recorded in 9.7% of tests, followed by visibility (4.2%).
Does the 2020 Model S get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.0% in the 0-30k band to 15.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,054 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.