2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range + Electric · AF71 UTZ

The most recent DVSA examination on 8 September 2025 records a clean PASS with no defects, advisories, or failure items noted. A look back at the prior test on 24 September 2024 confirms a similarly clean PASS, again with no recorded defects. With two consecutive tests showing a fully roadworthy status and no advisories carrying forward, the maintenance trajectory for this Model 3 is best described as stable and well-maintained. For a prospective buyer, this clean two-year MOT sequence provides reasonable confidence that the vehicle has been kept in good mechanical order through its fifth year, though it is worth remembering that the MOT is a roadworthiness snapshot and does not evaluate high-voltage battery health, software condition, or general cosmetic and trim condition. The recorded mileage of 38,886 against an approximate five-year vehicle age equates to around 7,777 miles per annum, which sits comfortably within the typical annual usage bracket for a UK private car. There are no significant gaps or sudden mileage spikes evident between the two recorded tests, both of which were conducted in late September 2024 and 2025 respectively, suggesting steady and consistent use rather than long periods of standing or unusually high-mileage driving. This level of use implies moderate wear on consumables such as tyres, brake discs and pads, and suspension components, but does not raise immediate red flags for accelerated drivetrain degradation. For an EV of this profile, the relatively modest annual mileage is also generally favourable for long-term battery longevity, as very high mileage combined with frequent rapid DC charging is usually the greater stressor on lithium-ion traction packs. Given the clean MOT record and moderate usage, physical inspection should still focus on age-related degradation that the standard MOT may not fully capture. Tyres should be examined closely for sidewall perishing or cracking, which can occur on EVs due to the heavier kerb weight of the vehicle pressing on rubber compounds over time, even when tread depth remains adequate. The 12V auxiliary battery, which operates ancillary systems on Tesla vehicles, is a known age-related failure item typically requiring replacement every three to five years, so its condition and any history of replacement should be verified. Brake discs on EVs are particularly susceptible to corrosion and caliper binding from low brake usage thanks to regenerative braking, so during a test drive any scraping, juddering on initial application, or uneven pulling should be noted carefully, and the wheels should be inspected for surface corrosion on the disc faces. Additional checks appropriate to a five-year-old Tesla should include verification of recent tyre pressures and any TPMS warning behaviour, inspection of the underside and high-voltage cable runs for impact damage from speed humps or kerbs, and confirmation that all firmware and software updates have been applied through the Tesla mobile application. Coolant systems for the battery and motor units are typically long-life but do have service intervals in calendar years, so evidence of any thermal system coolant changes should be requested. A test drive should be conducted over varied road surfaces to listen for any suspension clonks or creaks from the front MacPherson struts and rear multilink arrangement, and to confirm smooth power delivery with no warning messages on the driver display. Finally, requesting evidence of the digital service history and any previous recall or campaign work completed would round off a thorough pre-purchase evaluation.