2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD Electricity · ML71 ECX

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD was conducted on 22 September 2025, resulting in a clean pass with no defects or advisories recorded. The previous test on 25 September 2024 also resulted in a pass with no recorded defects, which establishes a two-year pattern of straightforward compliance with roadworthiness standards. With no advisories issued across either recorded test, there is no documented evidence from the MOT history of emerging wear items, component deterioration, or borderline test outcomes that might suggest a worsening maintenance trajectory. The absence of recorded defects indicates that the vehicle has consistently met the minimum safety and environmental thresholds at each annual test, which is a positive but not exhaustive indicator of overall mechanical condition, particularly given the limitations of MOT testing on electric drivetrains and high-voltage systems. Against the calendar age of approximately five years, the recorded mileage of 27,700 miles equates to a low annual usage of roughly 5,540 miles per year, which is well below the average mileage for a UK passenger vehicle. This figure is consistent with either predominantly short urban driving, occasional longer journeys, or extended periods of standing between uses. While low mileage reduces wear on high-cost mechanical consumables such as the dual-motor drivetrain, suspension components, and regenerative braking system, it simultaneously elevates the risk of calendar-related degradation in items that deteriorate with age rather than use. Potential buyers should be particularly attentive to condition issues that arise from standing or infrequent operation rather than mechanical wear. For a Tesla Model 3 of this age and usage profile, a thorough pre-purchase inspection should prioritise several age- and standing-related concerns regardless of the clean MOT record. Tyres should be examined closely for sidewall perishing, cracking, and ozone degradation, as rubber compounds deteriorate with calendar age even when tread depth remains adequate; the date code on the sidewall should be reviewed to confirm the tyres are not approaching five years of age or older, particularly the rear tyres which on a dual-motor AWD vehicle may exhibit uneven wear patterns due to torque distribution. The 12-volt auxiliary battery, a known service item on Tesla vehicles independent of the main traction pack, should be load-tested or have its voltage and date of manufacture verified, as failures of this component typically occur between three and six years of age and can leave the vehicle inoperable. Brake calipers, discs, and the electronic parking brake mechanism should be inspected for corrosion and seizing resulting from prolonged standing, with a road test conducted to confirm the vehicle rolls freely without dragging and that the regenerative braking function operates smoothly. Any uneven brake disc surface corrosion or binding caliper can manifest as reduced range, uneven tyre wear, or pulling under braking. Beyond the items above, attention should be directed toward the high-voltage battery state of health, which is best verified through a Tesla-approved diagnostic scan or third-party battery health report, as degradation of the traction pack directly impacts usable range and long-term value. The underbody and suspension components, including coil springs, control arms, and anti-roll bar links, should be examined for surface corrosion or perished bushes consistent with UK road conditions over five winters, even at modest mileage. All fluid systems, including brake fluid which is hygroscopic and degrades over time irrespective of mileage, the coolant circuits servicing the battery and motors, and the reduction gearbox oil where applicable, should be confirmed as recently serviced in accordance with Tesla's time-based maintenance schedule rather than purely mileage-based intervals. Finally, a careful verification of the vehicle's service history through the Tesla app or authorised service records is strongly recommended, as MOT testing does not assess many of the proprietary electric vehicle systems, and a complete documented service record provides the strongest evidence of proper long-term maintenance for a low-mileage example such as this.