How reliable is the Tesla Model S?
Owner-reported reliability data: inspection results, typical mileage, and the most common failures.
The Tesla Model S consistently passes first-time inspections at an above-average rate. The most commonly reported issues are tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre cords visible or damaged, a tyre seriously damaged. Typical mileage by age and a year-by-year breakdown of reliability are shown below. All figures are owner-reported real-world data, not a marketing rating.
Above average reliability
Based on 7,104 inspection tests. First-time pass rate: 85.7%.
Tesla Model S reliability by year
How the Tesla Model S performs at first-time inspection, broken down by the year cohort. Empty cells mean we don't have enough owner-reported data for that year yet.
| Year cohort | Pass rate | Typical mileage @ 5 yrs |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 76.2% | – |
| 2015 | 81.3% | – |
| 2016 | 83.2% | – |
| 2017 | 85.7% | 92,759 km |
| 2018 | 87.7% | 88,174 km |
| 2019 | 88.7% | 93,789 km |
Model-level pattern, not per-car prediction
These figures describe the Tesla Model S as a model. The reliability of any individual Tesla Model S also depends on service history, accident history, and how it was driven. Run a free VIN check to see the records attached to a specific car you're considering.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tesla Model S reliable?
Based on owner-reported inspection records, the Tesla Model S consistently passes first-time inspections at an above-average rate. Its first-time inspection pass rate sits around 86%. Reliability varies by year and engine: see the year-by-year breakdown on this page for the specific cohort you're considering.
What are the common problems on the Tesla Model S?
The most common owner-reported issues are: Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (2.9% of inspections); A tyre cords visible or damaged (1.9% of inspections); A tyre seriously damaged (1% of inspections); Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen (1% of inspections); A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play (0.6% of inspections).
What mileage is normal for a Tesla Model S?
For a typical Tesla Model S, owner-reported average mileage works out to about – at 3 years, 92,759 km at 5 years, and – at 10 years. The mileage section on this page shows the full distribution, high-use vs low-use cars often differ by a factor of three.
How do I check a specific Tesla Model S before buying?
Enter the 17-character VIN on Carlytics. The free check shows decoded specs and open safety recalls. The full vehicle history report (from EUR 8.90) cross-references owner-reported issues, mileage records, and stolen-vehicle databases for the specific car, model-level reliability tells you the pattern, the VIN check tells you the car.