Does the Tesla Model S fail the MOT on tyres more than it should?
The Tesla Model S records 12.93 tyres failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 10.29 expected for a ev of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+2.64, 95% interval +2.32 to +2.95). It ranks 86 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 S by registration
What exactly fails on tyres?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Tesla Model S is “Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements”, recorded 2,469 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 2,469 | 4.94 |
| A tyre cords visible or damaged | 1,981 | 3.96 |
| A tyre seriously damaged | 1,409 | 2.82 |
| A tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative | 348 | 0.70 |
| 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 | 90 | 0.18 |
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 tyres advisory, how often does it fail next time?
10.5% of Tesla Model S MOTs with a tyres advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 9,768 miles later (8,660 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 8,660 (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
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