The picture
Model 3: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 740 MOT tests, the Model 3 returns 92.0% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is tyre tread under the limit. A seriously damaged tyre and windscreen damage round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 27,153, 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.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
42 occurrences · 5.7% of tests
- 02
A tyre seriously damaged
11 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 03
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
6 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 04
A tyre cords visible or damaged
6 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 05
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
4 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 06
Obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or loose
3 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 07
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
3 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 08
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
3 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 09
A tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative
3 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 10
Wiper blade defective
2 occurrences · 0.3% 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 3 failures
£130–£270
If every one of this Model 3'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 →
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Build your own retest budget.
Tools that pre-empt a retest.
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
Headlight restoration kit
Yellowed lenses fail the light-output test. A restoration kit lifts the haze in an afternoon for £20.
Search Amazon UK
Buying or keeping a Model 3?
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 3 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.