Does the Tesla Model 3 fail the MOT on brakes more than it should?
The Tesla Model 3 records 0.73 brakes failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 1.32 expected for a ev of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−0.59, 95% interval −0.66 to −0.52). It ranks 358 of 712 models on brakes (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on brakes · check a Tesla Model 3 by registration
What exactly fails on brakes?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Tesla Model 3 is “Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution.”, recorded 257 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution. | 257 | 0.23 |
| Brake performance unable to be tested | 202 | 0.18 |
| Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn | 111 | 0.10 |
| Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 42 | 0.04 |
| Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured | 40 | 0.04 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 110,834 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Tesla Model 3 gets a brakes advisory, how often does it fail next time?
1.7% of Tesla Model 3 MOTs with a brakes advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 11,467 miles later (3,753 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 3,753 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Tesla Model 3 2019 · Tesla Model 3 2020 · Tesla Model 3 in Finland · Tesla Model 3 in the Netherlands · Tesla Model 3 in Norway · Tesla Model 3 by postcode area · Tesla Model 3 body, chassis and structure failures · Tesla Model 3 vehicle identification failures · Tesla Model 3 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Tesla Model 3 road wheels failures · Tesla Model 3 seat belts and airbags failures · Tesla Model 3 suspension failures · Tesla Model 3 tyres failures · Tesla Model 3 visibility failures