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

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 X?

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 X?

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 X vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

40% 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 X reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,441 vehicles, the 2018 Tesla Model X has a first-time MOT pass rate of 86.6%, 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 X?

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 X (2018)

1,441 real MOT outcomes analysed • 86.6% first-time pass rate

2018 Tesla Model X

CarHunch analysed 1,441 real MOT records for the 2018 Tesla Model X. 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 X passes its MOT on the first attempt 86.4% of the time, which is meaningfully better than the UK average of 80%, suggesting these are relatively well-built vehicles. However, nearly 40% have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a significant concern for any potential buyer and warrants a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

At just under 50,000 miles median mileage, these Model X examples show typical wear for their age, yet they're averaging 0.84 failures and 5.7 advisories per test—indicating that when they do fail, it tends to be relatively minor stuff. Before purchasing, insist on a full service history and get an independent EV specialist to inspect the battery health and high-voltage systems, since those represent the most expensive repairs on an older Tesla.

The 2018 Tesla Model X has a decent first-time pass rate (86.6%), 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

86.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

39.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.84

Over 5.5 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

47k

Middle half: 33k–62k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 86.6% 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 5.7 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 1,441 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 1,441 Tesla Model X cars.

Before you buy a 2018 Tesla Model X

Based on MOT data from 1,441 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 39.8% 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 4,239 Tesla Model X vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 29.9%

1,268

White 18.4%

779

Grey 16.8%

713

Blue 14%

593

Silver 13%

551

Red 7.4%

312

Bronze 0.5%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2018 Tesla Model X 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.

46,538

typical

33,352

low mileage

62,035

high mileage

Half of all 2018 Tesla Model X vehicles fall between 33,352 and 62,035 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 33,352 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.

✓ 33,352–62,035 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2018 Tesla Model Xs sit.

⚠ Over 83,747 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 X — Still on the Road

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

Strong survival — 1,327 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

5.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.84

Avg failures per vehicle

5.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2017 2019

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Compare with another model

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

Watch for defects — worth knowing