Does the Tesla Model 3 fail the MOT on lamps, reflectors and electrics more than it should?
The Tesla Model 3 records 2.70 lamps, reflectors and electrics failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 2.07 expected for a ev of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+0.63, 95% interval +0.53 to +0.73). It ranks 262 of 729 models on lamps, reflectors and electrics (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on lamps, reflectors and electrics · check a Tesla Model 3 by registration
What exactly fails on lamps, reflectors and electrics?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Tesla Model 3 is “The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements”, recorded 1,310 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 1,310 | 1.18 |
| A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 332 | 0.30 |
| A lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning | 208 | 0.19 |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 191 | 0.17 |
| A reversing lamp inoperative | 123 | 0.11 |
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
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 brakes failures · Tesla Model 3 vehicle identification 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