Tesla MODEL S - 2020
89.9 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2020 is 91.3 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Tesla MODEL S, model year 2020.
Sample size: 1,038 cars, 2,433 tests and 2,187 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: 1,038 cars
The 2020 Tesla Model S has a slightly higher overall defect rate of 89.89 defects per 100 vehicles compared to the yearly average of 89.79. Notably, the Model S stands out positively in several categories, particularly brakes, steering, and lights and electrics, where it shows significantly lower defect rates than the average. However, it performs worse in wheels, suspensions, and axles, as well as body structure, with defect rates notably higher than average. When considering mileage, the defect rate increases with distance traveled, especially in the higher mileage segments. Overall, while this model excels in certain areas, it faces challenges in specific aspects compared to similar vehicles from the same year.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 1,038 cars
More model years for Tesla MODEL S
Other models from Tesla
Categories
Brakes
▲ 51.2% better
24.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 50.8 / 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
▲ 86.7% better
0.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 1.5 / 100 tests
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
Visibility
▲ 5.7% better
13.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 14.1 / 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: defective
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 62.5% better
4.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 11.2 / 100 tests
- Beam image obviously incorrect
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- Lamp not securely attached
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 35.9% worse
132.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 97.5 / 100 tests
- 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
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
Body/Structure
▼ 75.0% worse
4.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 2.4 / 100 tests
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- A door will not open using the relevant control or close properly
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
- A driver’s seat: fore and aft adjustment mechanism not working as intended
Equipment
▲ 93.3% better
0.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 1.5 / 100 tests
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
Other
▲ 89.2% better
0.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 3.7 / 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: 688
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 293
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 143
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 135
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 93
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 91
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 88
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 74
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 57
Wiper blade: defective
MINOR
Occurrences: 49
Serious faults (Top 10)
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 135
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 93
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 57
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
FAIL
Occurrences: 45
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 31
Any fracture or welding defect on a wheel
FAIL
Occurrences: 28
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
FAIL
Occurrences: 9