2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD Electric · GL71 AYP

A low-mileage profile spanning five years on the road has produced a largely stable testing history, culminating in a successful MOT pass on 26 September 2025 at 14,912 miles. While the vehicle successfully navigated its 2024 examination without a single recorded defect, the 2025 test captured three distinct advisories clustered around the rear axle. This introduction of surface degradation and tyre wear marks a minor downward shift in the vehicle's otherwise clean roadworthiness trajectory, signaling that component degradation is beginning to emerge despite the light usage history. Accumulating approximately 2,982 miles per year, this Tesla Model 3 has seen substantially less active road use than the national average for a 2021 registered vehicle. Mechanically, such light usage patterns often mean that traditional friction braking components receive insufficient dynamic work to keep contact surfaces clean, which frequently leads to the sort of accelerated disc corrosion seen in testing. Furthermore, infrequent driving cycles can mask potential battery management anomalies and allow tyres to age through environmental exposure before tread is mechanically exhausted. The primary mechanical inspection points for a prospective buyer must focus directly on the rear braking assembly, where the most recent test highlighted worn, pitted, and scored brake discs alongside an offside rear tyre worn on the edge and embedded with a nail. During a static inspection, visually inspect the inner and outer friction faces of all four brake discs for heavy scoring, rust scaling, and uneven pad contact. On the road test, listen closely for a rhythmic scraping or grinding sound from the rear corners during light pedal application, and check that the regenerative braking blending transitions smoothly without any grinding sensations or pulling to one side. The tyre condition flagged on the offside rear necessitates a thorough check of all four matching rubber compounds for tread depth, shoulder integrity, and sidewall damage. Given the instant torque delivery characteristic of this dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain, uneven edge wear on the rear tyres can also hint at subtle suspension geometry variances or aggressive acceleration habits from a stationary start. Ensure that the steering tracks straight under heavy acceleration and regenerative deceleration, paying attention to any stray vibrations through the steering wheel or floorpan that might indicate tracking misalignment or compromised suspension bushes.