2022 Tesla Model 3 Electric · BL72 AAO

With only a single MOT pass on file from December 2025 and zero recorded advisories or defects, this 2022 Tesla Model 3 presents a remarkably clean official roadworthiness profile for its age and accumulated mileage. A clean pass with no advisories on its first compulsory test means there are no flagged wear items to scrutinise, no recurring component issues to investigate, and no structural or corrosion concerns raised by the examiner. While this is a positive signal, it is worth noting that a Tesla's MOT covers fewer mechanical wear items than a conventional internal combustion vehicle because it lacks an exhaust system, clutch, gear linkage, and many of the traditional service items that typically generate advisories. The absence of any flagged items should therefore be read as confirmation of legal compliance rather than a comprehensive picture of mechanical condition. The recorded mileage of 62,280 miles on a four-year-old vehicle equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 15,570 miles, which is considerably higher than the typical average of around 7,000 to 9,000 miles per year for a privately used car of this age. This elevated usage rate has mechanical implications beyond what the MOT history alone reveals. Higher annual mileage on any vehicle accelerates wear on consumable items such as tyres, brake discs and pads, suspension bushes, and wheel bearings, and on a heavy electric vehicle like the Model 3, the unladen mass approaching two tonnes places additional sustained loading on suspension linkages, anti-roll bar bushes, and lower control arm joints. Because the MOT only flagged nothing at the December 2025 test, there is no specific defect trail to follow, but the mileage figure alone suggests that components typically replaced on a mileage rather than time basis should be considered carefully. Given the high mileage and the fact that the MOT record provides no specific component guidance, the practical inspection focus should shift to the wear items most likely to require attention on a used Tesla approaching 65,000 miles. On a test drive, listen carefully for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces or speed bumps, as worn lower control arm bushes and ball joints are common on high-mileage Model 3s and would not necessarily trigger an MOT advisory if not yet at the failure threshold. Check for uneven or rapid tyre wear, particularly on the rear tyres which can wear prematurely on the Model 3 due to its weight distribution and instant torque delivery, and inspect the brake discs for any visible lipping or scoring, as EVs suffer from reduced brake pad usage which can lead to disc corrosion even when pads have plenty of material remaining. The braking system deserves particular attention despite the clean MOT result, because an examiner testing a vehicle which brakes effectively under dynamic test conditions may still pass a car with heavily corroded rear discs that bind or judder under light pedal application. On a test drive, apply the brakes firmly from around 40 mph and feel for any pulsation through the pedal, vibration through the steering wheel, or pulling to one side, all of which could indicate disc warping or a binding caliper. Steering should feel precise and return to centre consistently without any notchiness or vibration at speed, and the vehicle should track straight on a flat road without constant correction. Finally, while the MOT record does not flag any underbody corrosion, a physical inspection on a ramp remains advisable for any high-mileage Tesla, paying particular attention to the rear suspension multi-link components and the integrity of the high-voltage cabling routing beneath the car, which a standard MOT examination does not cover.