Does the Tesla Model 3 fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Tesla Model 3 records 1.86 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 1.30 expected for a ev of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+0.56, 95% interval +0.48 to +0.64). It ranks 242 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Tesla Model 3 by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Tesla Model 3 is “A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn”, recorded 1,887 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 1,887 | 1.70 |
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 suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
6.5% of Tesla Model 3 MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 11.8 months and 12,466 miles later (1,890 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,890 (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 brakes 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 tyres failures · Tesla Model 3 visibility failures