Tesla Model S
Registered from 2014 to 2023.
About this model
The Tesla Model S is a battery-electric, four-door full-size car that was produced by the American automaker Tesla from 2012 to 2026. The automaker's second vehicle, the Model S has been described as one of the most influential electric cars in the industry. Its various accolades include the Motor Trend Car of the Year Award in 2013.
From the Wikipedia article Tesla Model S, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2017 electric. 364 of 2,795 tests failed, 13%.
Better than 37% of 2017 cars. The typical one fails 12%, across 926 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 61% | 221 |
| Brakes | 15% | 53 |
| Visibility | 13% | 48 |
| Lights and electrics | 13% | 46 |
| Suspension | 13% | 46 |
| Steering | 6% | 21 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Where it stands out against its peers
- Steering: failed more often than 92% of 2017 cars — 6% of its 364 failed tests, where an ordinary 2017 car has 1%.
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 — 61% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Brakes — 15% of its failures
- Suspension — 13% of its failures
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Steering — 6% of its failures
- A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
- Lights and electrics — 13% of its failures
- Visibility — 13% of its failures
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 140–160k miles this one fails 20% of its inspections, against the 17% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 9% | 6% | 69 | |
| 20–40k miles | 10% | 10% | 434 | |
| 40–60k miles | 12% | 13% | 832 | |
| 60–80k miles | 15% | 15% | 735 | |
| 80–100k miles | 17% | 16% | 383 | |
| 100–120k miles | 13% | 17% | 174 | |
| 120–140k miles | 15% | 17% | 82 | |
| 140–160k miles | 20% | 17% | 40 |
2,749 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 60k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2020 | electric · 2311 kg · 2960 mm wheelbase · 193 Wh/km |
| 2019 | electric · 2315 kg · 2960 mm wheelbase · 193 Wh/km |
| 2018 | electric · 2316 kg · 2960 mm wheelbase · 181 Wh/km |
| 2017 | electric · 220 hp · 2210 kg · 2949 mm wheelbase · 188 Wh/km |
| 2016 | electric · 373 hp · 2196 kg · 2959 mm wheelbase · 198 Wh/km |
| 2015 | electric · 245 hp · 2179 kg · 2957 mm wheelbase · 200 Wh/km |
| 2014 | electric · 89 hp · 2164 kg · 2954 mm wheelbase · 182 Wh/km |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/02728/23
The front seat belt may not be properly attached to the pre-tensioner anchor and may not function properly in the event of a collision, increasing the risk of injury. The product does not comply with 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
A12/03132/23
The vehicle may have been equipped with an incorrect driver airbag during servicing to retrofit an alternative steering wheel. Airbags that are not adapted to the vehicle configuration can lead to an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident. The product does not comply with 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
A12/1562/17
The cable controlling the adjustment mechanisms for the left-hand seat in the second row could be badly-adjusted. In the event of a crash, this could lead to the backrest moving forwards, increasing the risk of injury for the occupant of the seat.
Recall of the product from end users