Tesla
9,909 MOT tests analysed. sits above the UK fleet average — here's where Model Xs pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 8.1 points above the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — a confident result.
Pass
85.6%
Pass-after-fix
0.9%
Fail
12.6%
Avg miles
64,053
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Trim variants
Performance by cohort
2 year bands · 9,897 tests
Pass rate is broadly flat across the cohorts — new and old Model X examples track each other at the test bay.
Pass
85.6%
Fail
12.9%
PRS
0.5%
Avg mileage at test
69,202 mi
Pass
85.7%
Fail
12.1%
PRS
1.4%
Avg mileage at test
56,160 mi
Cohort = vehicle's first-registration year band. Same model, different generations of build.
The picture
Across 4,627 MOT tests, the Model X returns 83.8% first-time pass — above the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a tyre with the cords showing. Tyre tread under the limit and a seriously damaged tyre round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 53,459, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
A high-group car — insurance costs will be significantly above average. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
44–50
out of 50
Filter failures:
Hide categories
Tick a category to hide it from rankings sitewide. Saved in this browser only.
A tyre cords visible or damaged
417 occurrences · 4.2% of tests
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
286 occurrences · 2.9% of tests
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
178 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
Wiper blade defective
157 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
154 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
A tyre seriously damaged
142 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
135 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
Reflector defective or damaged by up to 50% of the reflecting surface
52 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
49 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
49 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 4 failures
£160–£280
If every one of this Model X's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
Try the calculator
Build your own retest budget.
Year-band analysis
First-time MOT pass rate split by registration band. Pass rates barely move across bands here, so the year you buy Tesla Model X makes little measurable difference to MOT outcomes.
Best band to buy
85.7%
2018–2020 registration
the 2018–2020 band climbs to 85.7% — a 0.1-point improvement. Tests in this band average 56,160 miles — roughly 13K miles fewer on the clock than the older band. Failures here are mostly wear items: has ply or cords exposed, tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm — the structural issues that drag down older examples don't appear in the top-10 for this band. The stricter post-2018 MOT test rules meant manufacturers had to tighten up emissions and electrical checks, but this band still shows far fewer major failures on suspension and bodywork than the older fleet.
Band to be cautious about
85.6%
Pre-2018 registration
On the older band (pre-2018), the data shows a 85.6% pass rate against a fleet average of 85.7% on the newer band. The main culprits logged at test: has ply or cords exposed, tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and blade defective. Average mileage on test for this band is 69,202 miles — high-mileage wear items are a recurring theme.
Best band to buy: 2018-2020 (85.7% first-time pass). Worst band to avoid: pre-2018 (85.6% pass). That's a 0.1-point spread across 6,066 older tests and 3,831 newer ones — year of build makes a material difference on this model.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
Digital tyre-tread depth gauge
Five quid for a gauge beats £150 for a retest. UK MOT minimum is 1.6mm — most testers fail anything below 2mm to be safe.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Bosch Aerotwin wiper blades
Cheap wipers fail the test on smear streaks. Bosch Aerotwins last a winter and clear a screen properly.
Search Amazon UK
My Motor World · affiliate
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Motor World
Motor World Tesla X Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
View at My Motor World →
Motor World
Motor World Tesla Model 3 2017- Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
View at My Motor World →
Motor World
Motor World Tesla Model 3 Trunk Back Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
View at My Motor World →
Motor World
Motor World Tesla Model Y 2022- Car Floor Mat Set
£32.99
View at My Motor World →
EV King · affiliate
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
EV Charging Cables
8M - 32amp (3 Phase)- Blaupunkt Type 2 Charging Cable 32amp - 3 Phase (22kW) 8M
£329.00
View at EV King →
EV Charging Cables
15M - 32amp -Type 2 to Type 2 Charging Cable Type 2 to Type 2 15M 32amp (7.4kW)
£315.00
View at EV King →
EV Charging Cables
3 Pin to Type 2 - 10M - Range Rover Evoque Charging Cable 3 Pin to Type 2 10M 6-12amp Adjustable (2.3kW)
£297.00
View at EV King →
EV Charging Cables
3 Pin to Type 2 - 10M - Range Rover Sport Charging Cable 3 Pin to Type 2 10M 6-12amp Adjustable (2.3kW)
£297.00
View at EV King →
Click Mechanic · affiliate
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Mobile mechanic · UK-wide
Book a mechanic at your door.
Fixed-price quotes upfront. No garage needed. Click Mechanic sends a vetted local mechanic to you — home, work, or roadside.
Recall history
The Model X has 8 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Model X and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.
