Tesla MODEL S - 2018
115.1 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2018 is 123.2 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Tesla MODEL S, model year 2018.
Sample size: 2,055 cars, 4,879 tests and 5,614 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Quick summary
Total: 2,055 cars
The 2018 Tesla Model S has an overall defect rate of 115.06 per 100 vehicles, which is slightly better than the average car of the same year at 120.02. Notably, the Model S performs significantly better in categories such as visibility, lights and electrics, and body structure, with defect rates considerably lower than the average. Mileage-related trends indicate an increase in defects as mileage grows, particularly in the higher mileage ranges. However, the Model S does not show significant issues related to tyre wear, which is often a common defect in many vehicles. Overall, this model stands out for its reliability in several key areas compared to its peers.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 2,055 cars
More model years for Tesla MODEL S
Other models from Tesla
Categories
Brakes
▲ 20.1% better
55.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 68.8 / 100 tests
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
- Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
- Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
- Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
Steering
▲ 4.0% better
4.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 5.0 / 100 tests
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- A steering ball joint: worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
- Excessive wear or play in a universal joint or a flexible coupling excessively deteriorated
Visibility
▲ 20.9% better
11.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 13.9 / 100 tests
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Wiper blade: defective
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 52.8% better
8.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 17.6 / 100 tests
- Lamp: multiple light source up to a half not functioning
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- Lamp: emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 15.6% worse
146.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 126.7 / 100 tests
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
Body/Structure
▲ 66.7% better
1.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 5.1 / 100 tests
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- A transmission: joint, belt or chain excessively worn
- A door hinge, catch or pillar: excessively deteriorated
- A body panel or body component: damaged or corroded and likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted, or insecure
Equipment
▼ 4.5% worse
2.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 2.2 / 100 tests
- A seat belt:
- Audible warning:
- Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
- A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
Other
▲ 95.7% better
0.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 7.0 / 100 tests
- Any part of the noise suppression system: insecure
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,613
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 798
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 578
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 448
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 198
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 185
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 179
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 174
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 155
Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 105
Serious faults (Top 10)
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 198
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 174
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 155
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
FAIL
Occurrences: 73
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 48
A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
FAIL
Occurrences: 46
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 42
Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
FAIL
Occurrences: 40
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 40
Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 27