Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd Reliability: Common Problems and Years to Avoid
What the Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd fails its MOT on, with rough repair costs, and how each model year's MOT pass rate compares with other cars of the same age. Based on 25,746 MOT tests across 4 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: electric | Fuel: Electric
87%
Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd pass rate
89%
Tesla average
82%
All-model average
The Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd has an average MOT pass rate of 87%, which is 2 points below the Tesla average and 5 points above the average across all models in our data. The Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.
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What the Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd Fails Its MOT On
Of the 2,626 MOT tests on the Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd that failed at the first attempt in 2025, the share that failed on each part of the test, next to the share for all cars and vans of the same ages. A test that failed on two areas counts in both.
Tyres
75%Cars and vans the same age: 36% (the Model 3 Performance Awd fails on this more often) · Typical repair £50-£300
Suspension
12%Cars and vans the same age: 11% · Typical repair £150-£600
Lights and electrics
10%Cars and vans the same age: 23% (the Model 3 Performance Awd fails on this less often) · Typical repair £15-£200
Brakes
6.9%Cars and vans the same age: 17% (the Model 3 Performance Awd fails on this less often) · Typical repair £80-£450
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors
5%Cars and vans the same age: 21% (the Model 3 Performance Awd fails on this less often) · Typical repair £10-£350
The 3 single faults it failed on most
- Tyre has ply or cords exposed (34% of failed tests, tyres)
- Tyre has a bulge from separation or failure of its structure (16% of failed tests, tyres)
- Tyre tread depth below the 1.6mm limit (12% of failed tests, tyres)
Source: CarCostCheck analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results and failure items for 2025: first attempt at each MOT, fail and pass-after-repair defects, DVSA's defect categories (names shortened). Repair costs are rough UK ranges, not quotes. Method and national figures: MOT failure reasons 2025.
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Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd Years to Avoid
Every car in the 2024 MOT data was tested at the same age as the other cars first registered that year, so each Model 3 Performance Awd year is compared with all cars from the same year. Years with 1,000+ tests that were at least three years old are included.
Failed more often than cars their age
Passed more often than cars their age
No year passed 3 or more points more often than other cars of the same age.
A lower pass rate means that year failed its MOT more often in 2024; it does not mean every car from that year is bad. Old cars still on the road are often the best-kept ones, which can lift the pass rates of the oldest years. How a car has been looked after matters more, so check the MOT history of the car you are looking at.
Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, from DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024 (retests included). Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger. All Cars is the pass rate of every car first registered that year, with the gap in points. Highest and lowest are marked among years with 100+ tests that were at least three years old when tested. Fuel and engine size are a guide only.
Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd Running Costs
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Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd FAQ
What are the most common Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd problems?
In 2025, MOT tests on the Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd that failed at the first attempt most often failed on tyres (75% of the 2,626 failed tests), suspension (12%) and lights and electrics (10%). The single most common fault was "Tyre has ply or cords exposed" (34%). Across 25,746 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 87% ended in a pass.
Is the Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd reliable?
The Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd has an average MOT pass rate of 87%, from 25,746 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). Comparing each model year with all cars first registered the same year, so that age is allowed for, it passed 5 points less often on average, so check the history of any example carefully.
Which Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd years should I avoid?
Compared with all cars first registered the same year (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), the 2020 (87% of 12,320 tests passed, against 92% for all 2020 cars), the 2021 (88% of 4,992 tests passed, against 93% for all 2021 cars) and the 2019 (87% of 8,287 tests passed, against 91% for all 2019 cars) failed their MOT most often for their age. A year's pass rate does not tell you about one car, so check the MOT history of the car you are buying.
How much does it cost to fix common Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on a Tesla Model 3 Performance Awd typically costs £80-£450 and suspension repairs £150-£600. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
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Other Tesla Models
Common problems pages for other Tesla models