The picture
Model S Long Range Awd: above-average pass rates, with caveats
Across 990 MOT tests, the Model S Long Range Awd returns 82.1% first-time pass — above the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a tyre with the cords showing. A defective wiper blade and wipers that don't clear the screen round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 39,412, 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
A tyre cords visible or damaged
55 occurrences · 5.6% of tests
- 02
Wiper blade defective
37 occurrences · 3.7% of tests
- 03
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
36 occurrences · 3.6% of tests
- 04
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
27 occurrences · 2.7% of tests
- 05
A tyre seriously damaged
12 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 06
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
11 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 07
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
11 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 08
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
11 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 09
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
10 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
- 10
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
10 occurrences · 1.0% 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 S Long Range Awd'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
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
Buying or keeping a Model S Long Range Awd?
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 S Long Range Awd 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.