Car statistics
How many Tesla Model 3s are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 86,464 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 136,685 Tesla Model 3s licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 1,068 declared off the road (SORN). That is the most on the road at any year end since 2019.
Numbers are still rising: the latest count is the highest in this series.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 10,510 |
| 2020 | 32,269 |
| 2021 | 65,986 |
| 2022 | 82,796 |
| 2023 | 95,740 |
| 2024 | 110,688 |
| 2025 | 131,300 |
| 2026 | 136,685 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
In 2025, 84.4% of Tesla Model 3 MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Tesla Model 3s tested pass 87.6% of the time, so the Tesla Model 3 does worse than average for its age, by 3.2 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 83.6%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Tesla Model 3 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 85.3% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 84.4% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 82.4% | 83.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Tyres is the most common reason a Tesla Model 3 fails its MOT, appearing on 71.8% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 8.8% of Tesla Model 3 tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Tyres | 71.8% |
| Suspension | 15.3% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 11.4% |
| Visibility | 7.4% |
| Brakes | 4.6% |
| Road wheels | 1.7% |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.7% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a Tesla Model 3 failed its MOT in 2025 was “Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm”, on 30.5% of 13,503 failed tests. 41.6% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 30.5% |
| Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres | 22.0% |
| Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 16.6% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush excessively worn Suspension | 7.0% |
| Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative Tyres | 6.3% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 5.8% |
| Headlamp aim: too low Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 4.4% |
| Tyres: bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure Tyres | 3.9% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility | 3.7% |
| Headlamp aim: too high Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2.6% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 23.8% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 8.5% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 5.7% |
| Tyres: cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 3.1% |
| Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt Non-component advisories | 2.7% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint has slight play Suspension | 2.5% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 2.4% |
| Nail in tyre Non-component advisories | 1.8% |
| Service brake performance: fluctuating, but not excessively Brakes | 1.4% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged Tyres | 1.2% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
4 years of the Tesla Model 3, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2019 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (82.2% passed first time) and the 2020 cars worst (82.1%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 10,596 | 10,066 | 82.2% |
| 2020 | 22,177 | 21,248 | 82.1% |
| 2021 | 34,623 | 32,511 | 86.0% |
| 2022 | 18,979 | 18,294 | 85.2% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered. Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
The average Tesla Model 3 covers 11,076 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 4–5 years | 11,207 |
| 6–7 years | 10,327 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of Tesla Model 3s for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 34,590 in 2021. In 2025, 20,899 were registered.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 0 |
| ’02 | 0 |
| ’03 | 0 |
| ’04 | 0 |
| ’05 | 0 |
| ’06 | 0 |
| ’07 | 0 |
| ’08 | 0 |
| ’09 | 0 |
| ’10 | 0 |
| ’11 | 0 |
| ’12 | 0 |
| ’13 | 0 |
| ’14 | 0 |
| ’15 | 0 |
| ’16 | 0 |
| ’17 | 0 |
| ’18 | 0 |
| ’19 | 10,588 |
| ’20 | 22,236 |
| ’21 | 34,590 |
| ’22 | 18,932 |
| ’23 | 13,408 |
| ’24 | 17,304 |
| ’25 | 20,899 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Tesla Model 3 from 2019, and still lists it. On the WLTP test (listings 2019 to 2026), its electric versions have an official range of 254 to 466 miles.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Range, miles | Miles per kWh | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | – | 0 | 254–466 | 3.7–5.1 | 2019–2026 | – | 33 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 11 safety recalls for the Tesla Model 3 since 1992, the first in 2020. The most recent was launched on 28 March 2025.
All 11 Tesla Model 3 recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Tesla Model 3. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | 136,685 | +16.8% | 1,068 | 66 | Electric |
| BMW 3 Series | 448,681 | −5.0% | 114,735 | 10 | Diesel |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 326,200 | −4.5% | 46,533 | 20 | Diesel |
| Audi A4 | 221,517 | −7.4% | 40,344 | 33 | Diesel |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 203,182 | −4.2% | 40,576 | 39 | Diesel |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 137,753 Model 3 records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 86,464 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
