Does the Tesla Model S fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Tesla Model S records 3.61 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 5.40 expected for a ev of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.79, 95% interval −1.99 to −1.59). It ranks 381 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 S by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Tesla Model S is “A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn”, recorded 1,329 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 1,329 | 2.66 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 189 | 0.38 |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 117 | 0.23 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint likely to become detached | 36 | 0.07 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 49,990 (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 S gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
8.3% of Tesla Model S MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 12,286 miles later (3,007 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 3,007 (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 S 2014 · Tesla Model S 2015 · Tesla Model S 2016 · Tesla Model S 2017 · Tesla Model S 2018 · Tesla Model S 2019 · Tesla Model S 2020 · Tesla Model S in Norway · Tesla Model S in Finland · Tesla Model S in the Netherlands · Tesla Model S by postcode area · Tesla Model S body, chassis and structure failures · Tesla Model S brakes failures · Tesla Model S vehicle identification failures · Tesla Model S lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Tesla Model S road wheels failures · Tesla Model S seat belts and airbags failures · Tesla Model S steering failures · Tesla Model S tyres failures · Tesla Model S visibility failures