Does the Tesla Model X fail the MOT on brakes more than it should?
The Tesla Model X records 1.90 brakes failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 2.74 expected for a ev of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−0.84, 95% interval −1.06 to −0.62). It ranks 383 of 712 models on brakes (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on brakes · check a Tesla Model X by registration
What exactly fails on brakes?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Tesla Model X is “a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm”, recorded 106 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 106 | 0.48 |
| Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution. | 60 | 0.27 |
| Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn | 53 | 0.24 |
| Brake performance unable to be tested | 45 | 0.20 |
| Brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 31 | 0.14 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 21,963 (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 X gets a brakes advisory, how often does it fail next time?
4.6% of Tesla Model X MOTs with a brakes advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 9,985 miles later (1,585 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,585 (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 X 2017 · Tesla Model X 2018 · Tesla Model X 2019 · Tesla Model X 2020 · Tesla Model X in Norway · Tesla Model X in the Netherlands · Tesla Model X by postcode area · Tesla Model X body, chassis and structure failures · Tesla Model X vehicle identification failures · Tesla Model X lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Tesla Model X road wheels failures · Tesla Model X seat belts and airbags failures · Tesla Model X steering failures · Tesla Model X suspension failures · Tesla Model X tyres failures · Tesla Model X visibility failures