Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2018 Tesla Model S?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2018 Tesla Model S?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2018 Tesla Model S?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2018 Tesla Model S vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

26% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2018 Tesla Model S reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,827 vehicles, the 2018 Tesla Model S has a first-time MOT pass rate of 88.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2018 Tesla Model S?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Tesla Model S (2018)

1,827 real MOT outcomes analysed • 88.5% first-time pass rate

2018 Tesla Model S

CarHunch analysed 1,827 real MOT records for the 2018 Tesla Model S. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2018 Tesla Model S passes its MOT on the first attempt 88.2% of the time, well above the UK average of 80%, which signals solid overall reliability. However, one in four of these cars (25.9%) has recorded a dangerous defect at some point, a figure high enough that prospective buyers should factor in the cost of potential safety repairs.

At 50,838 miles median mileage for a six-year-old car, these Model S examples are running fairly typical annual distances. The average car accumulates 0.76 failures and 4.9 advisories per test, meaning minor wear items and trim issues are common but serious faults remain relatively rare—so budget for routine maintenance, but this generation has proved mechanically sound enough that you should prioritise a detailed pre-purchase inspection of suspension, brakes, and the battery condition report.

The 2018 Tesla Model S has a decent first-time pass rate (88.5%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

88.5%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

25.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.76

Over 5.7 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

51k

Middle half: 37k–68k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 88.5% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 4.9 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 1,827 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,827 Tesla Model S cars.

Before you buy a 2018 Tesla Model S

Based on MOT data from 1,827 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 25.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 9,851 Tesla Model S vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 23.1%

2,276

Blue 19.5%

1,923

Silver 14.6%

1,438

Red 14.3%

1,406

White 13.2%

1,296

Grey 12.1%

1,191

Bronze 2.5%

247

Green 0.5%

Multi-colour 0.2%

Brown 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2018 Tesla Model S vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

50,838

typical

36,887

low mileage

68,231

high mileage

Half of all 2018 Tesla Model S vehicles fall between 36,887 and 68,231 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 36,887 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 36,887–68,231 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2018 Tesla Model Ss sit.

⚠ Over 92,111 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2018 Tesla Model S — Still on the Road

Almost all 2018 Tesla Model Ss are still on the road.

Strong survival — 1,702 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.

MOT History Averages

5.7

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.76

Avg failures per vehicle

4.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Tesla Model S: All Model S years → Which year to buy? →

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See how the 2018 Tesla Model S stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing