2020 Tesla Model 3 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 82.1% of Tesla Model 3s first used in 2020 passed their MOT first time, against 86.0% for all cars first used in 2020. Across 64,874 Model 3 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, lamps and electrical equipment and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Tesla Model 3s first used in 2020 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2020 Tesla Model 3 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Model 3s first used in 2020 against all cars first used in 2020 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Model 3 figure was 3.9 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2020 Model 3 | All cars first used 2020 | Model 3 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | fewer than 500 tests | 84.7% | 115 |
| 2022 | fewer than 500 tests | 90.2% | 419 |
| 2023 | 82.1% | 87.7% | 20,389 |
| 2024 | 83.0% | 86.9% | 22,342 |
| 2025 | 82.1% | 86.0% | 22,143 |
Common 2020 Tesla Model 3 MOT failures
Share of the 11,387 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 31.3% | 3,568 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 27.8% | 3,168 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 12.8% | 1,461 |
| Headlamp aim: too low | 6.4% | 729 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | 5.8% | 656 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Model 3 in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension arm replacement | £150 | £120–£180 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2020 Tesla Model 3 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
Common 2020 Tesla Model 3 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2020 Model 3s, as a share of all 64,874 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 20.0% | 12,950 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 8.7% | 5,629 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 4.1% | 2,661 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 2.9% | 1,864 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 2.7% | 1,746 |
Questions about the 2020 Tesla Model 3 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2020 Tesla Model 3?
In 2025, 82.1% of Model 3s first used in 2020 passed their MOT first time, against 86.0% for all cars first used in 2020. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2020 Model 3 most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 71.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (17.3%) and suspension (11.7%). The single most common item was “Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm” (31.3%).
How often does a 2020 Tesla Model 3 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 17.9% of first tests on Model 3s first used in 2020 did not pass first time: 16.5% failed, and a further 1.3% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 11,387 of 64,874 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2020 Tesla Model 3 MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 20.0% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (8.7%), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (4.1%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (2.9%) and “Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords” (2.7%).
Is a 2020 Tesla Model 3 reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 82.1% in 2023 to 82.1% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2020
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2020 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2020 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2020 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2020 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2020 MINI Hatch MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2020 Model 3?
The numbers above cover every Model 3 first used in 2020 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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