Tesla Model 3
Registered from 2018 to 2023.
About this model
The Tesla Model 3 is a battery electric powered mid-size sedan with a fastback body style built by Tesla, Inc., introduced in 2017. The Model 3 was marketed as a more affordable option compared to Tesla's previous vehicles, the Model S and Model X. The Model 3 was the world's top-selling plug-in electric car for three years, from 2018 to 2020, before the Tesla Model Y, a crossover SUV based on the Model 3 chassis, took the top spot. In June 2021, the Model 3 became the first electric car to pass global sales of 1 million.
From the Wikipedia article Tesla Model 3, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2020 electric. 3,283 of 23,377 tests failed, 14%.
Better than 7% of 2020 cars. The typical one fails 8%, across 906 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 83% | 2,716 |
| Lights and electrics | 14% | 456 |
| Suspension | 6% | 183 |
| Brakes | 4% | 126 |
| Visibility | 4% | 117 |
| Plates and identity | 1% | 44 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- A tyre seriously damaged
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- A tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative
Where it stands out against its peers
- Tyres and wheels: failed more often than 90% of 2020 cars — 83% of its 3,283 failed tests, where an ordinary 2020 car has 55%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 83% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Suspension — 6% of its failures
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Lights and electrics — 14% of its failures
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
When it starts failing
At 100–120k miles this one fails 12% of its inspections, against the 16% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 8% | 5% | 4,500 | |
| 20–40k miles | 16% | 10% | 11,947 | |
| 40–60k miles | 15% | 13% | 5,032 | |
| 60–80k miles | 17% | 14% | 1,414 | |
| 80–100k miles | 15% | 16% | 333 | |
| 100–120k miles | 12% | 16% | 78 |
23,304 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 20k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2022 | electric · 205 hp · 1919 kg · 2875 mm wheelbase · 147 Wh/km |
| 2021 | electric · 205 hp · 1919 kg · 2875 mm wheelbase · 148 Wh/km |
| 2020 | electric · 1688 kg · 2875 mm wheelbase · 147 Wh/km |
| 2019 | electric · 1685 kg · 2875 mm wheelbase · 149 Wh/km |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/01054/21
The seat belt mounts may be defective.This could result in increased risk of injury in the event of an accident.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01806/21
The lateral control arm of the front suspension is attached to the sub-frame by means of two fasteners. If a fastener gets loose enough or detaches from the sub-frame, this can cause the wheel alignment to change. This cause instability, which could have a negative effect on vehicle control and increase the risk of a collision. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01807/21
An incorrectly mounted side curtain airbag might not deploy correctly in an impact. This could increase the risk of ejection or injury to passengers. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users