Does the Tesla Model 3 fail the MOT on tyres more than it should?
The Tesla Model 3 records 20.08 tyres failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 8.69 expected for a ev of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+11.39, 95% interval +11.13 to +11.66). It ranks 3 of 751 models on tyres (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on tyres · check a Tesla Model 3 by registration
What exactly fails on tyres?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Tesla Model 3 is “Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements”, recorded 9,926 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 9,926 | 8.96 |
| A tyre cords visible or damaged | 6,820 | 6.15 |
| A tyre seriously damaged | 4,551 | 4.11 |
| A tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative | 596 | 0.54 |
| A tyre has a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. This includes any lifting of the tread rubber | 217 | 0.20 |
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 tyres advisory, how often does it fail next time?
11.3% of Tesla Model 3 MOTs with a tyres advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 11.9 months and 10,811 miles later (11,591 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 11,591 (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 suspension failures · Tesla Model 3 visibility failures