2018 Tesla Model S MOT pass rate: 85.4% (5,531 tests)
Is the 2018 Model S getting worse?
Pass rate of 2018-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 87.0% -1.1 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 85.3% -0.9 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 84.1% -0.7 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2018 Model S
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 738 | 48.8% |
| 2 | Suspension | 205 | 13.5% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 157 | 10.4% |
| 4 | Visibility | 146 | 9.6% |
| 5 | Brakes | 134 | 8.9% |
| 6 | Steering | 63 | 4.2% |
All Model S years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1,802 | 75.0% | -0.9 pts | 100,807 |
| 2015 | 3,812 | 78.9% | +0.2 pts | 92,604 |
| 2016 | 6,938 | 80.5% | -0.8 pts | 83,926 |
| 2017 | 7,455 | 83.4% | -0.6 pts | 70,917 |
| 2018 (this page) | 5,531 | 85.4% | -0.9 pts | 61,772 |
| 2019 | 2,263 | 86.9% | -1.5 pts | 51,284 |
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
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- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2018 Tesla Model S reliable?
2018-registered examples passed 85.4% of their MOT tests (5,531 tests, 2023–2025), -0.9 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 8 years old with a median 61,772 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2018 Model S?
The median tested example shows 61,772 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.