Tesla Model X
Registered from 2016 to 2023.
About this model
The Tesla Model X is a battery electric mid-size luxury crossover SUV built by Tesla, Inc. from 2015 to 2026. Developed from the full-sized sedan platform of the Tesla Model S, the vehicle uses distinctive falcon wing doors for rear passenger access. In January 2026, Tesla announced that the Model X would be discontinued alongside the Model S.
From the Wikipedia article Tesla Model X, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2017 electric. 331 of 2,310 tests failed, 14%.
Better than 26% 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 | 73% | 241 |
| Brakes | 14% | 46 |
| Visibility | 13% | 44 |
| Suspension | 13% | 43 |
| Lights and electrics | 5% | 16 |
| Body and structure | 5% | 15 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
Where it stands out against its peers
- Tyres and wheels: failed more often than 95% of 2017 cars — 73% of its 331 failed tests, where an ordinary 2017 car has 41%.
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 — 73% of its failures
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Brakes — 14% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Suspension — 13% of its failures
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Visibility — 13% of its failures
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 120–140k 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 | 14% | 6% | 105 | |
| 20–40k miles | 11% | 10% | 454 | |
| 40–60k miles | 14% | 13% | 763 | |
| 60–80k miles | 16% | 15% | 555 | |
| 80–100k miles | 18% | 16% | 258 | |
| 100–120k miles | 11% | 17% | 88 | |
| 120–140k miles | 20% | 17% | 40 |
2,263 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 40k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2020 | electric · 2558 kg · 2965 mm wheelbase · 234 Wh/km |
| 2019 | electric · 2569 kg · 2965 mm wheelbase · 233 Wh/km |
| 2018 | electric · 762 hp · 2572 kg · 2965 mm wheelbase · 226 Wh/km |
| 2017 | electric · 518 hp · 2483 kg · 2965 mm wheelbase · 208 Wh/km |
| 2016 | electric · 416 hp · 2486 kg · 2965 mm wheelbase · 212 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
A12/02953/23
Due to a software error, the control unit may not detect when the brake fluid level is low. A low brake fluid level can cause an increased stopping distance, increasing the risk 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
A12/03132/23
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