2016 Tesla Model S Electric · SA16 MDP

This Tesla Model S presents a roadworthiness profile dominated by recurring front-end wear and a recent steering component failure that warrants close scrutiny before purchase. Across six recorded tests since 2020, the vehicle has passed five times, with the most recent pass on 28 March 2026 accompanied by three advisories, but the underlying picture is more concerning than a simple pass-and-fail summary suggests. A track rod end ball joint failure on 6 April 2022, classified as a Major defect for excessive play, is the only outright failure on record and resulted in a re-test pass just one week later on 13 April 2022. More tellingly, the front suspension has attracted advisory attention in four of the six tests: upper arm corrosion was flagged bilaterally in 2022 and 2023, and the most recent test records worn bushes on the offside front lower arm at the shock absorber mounting point. The braking and tyre wear advisories have compounded year on year, with pitted front discs first noted in 2024 and progressing to thin front brake pads and edge-worn front tyres by 2025, suggesting consumable wear that has not been definitively resolved. The recorded mileage of 98,907 miles over a ten-year period equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 9,891 miles, which sits close to the typical usage band for a vehicle of this age. The MOT history shows no significant gaps in testing that would suggest prolonged off-road periods, with annual tests consistently recorded between 2020 and 2026. This relatively steady usage pattern means wear items such as suspension bushes, brake components, and tyres have been subjected to ongoing mechanical loading rather than the deterioration typically associated with low-mileage or stored vehicles. The cumulative mileage approaching the six-figure mark also places additional importance on drivetrain and high-voltage component condition, although the MOT testing regime does not directly inspect the electric powertrain. Given the recurring advisories on front suspension components, particular attention should be paid to the condition of the upper and lower arms, the shock absorber mounting bushes, and the anti-roll bar linkages on a physical inspection. Lift the vehicle if possible and check for play in the front suspension by hand, listening for clonking noises over uneven surfaces during a test drive, particularly at low speed over speed bumps or potholes. Steering feel should be evaluated for any vagueness, clunks, or knocking when turning lock to lock, which could indicate renewed wear in the track rod end or its replacement quality after the 2022 failure. The nearside and offside front upper arm corrosion advisories from 2022 and 2023, combined with the latest lower arm bush advisory, suggest the front subframe area should be examined closely for surface corrosion, and any signs of advancing rust beyond cosmetic levels would be a negotiating point. For the braking system, the front discs were first noted as pitted and scored in 2024, and by 2025 the pads were flagged as wearing thin, so a brake test should include a check for pedal judder under firm application and any grinding or squealing noises that would indicate the discs and pads have reached the end of their service life. The tyre advisories in 2025 and 2026, particularly the 2026 record showing the offside rear inner tyre scrubbed almost to the cords on the inner edge, warrant inspection of all four wheels for uneven shoulder wear, which can point to suspension geometry misalignment, camber issues, or worn bushes allowing inconsistent tyre contact. Verify wheel alignment specifications and confirm whether the suspension components flagged in the advisories have been replaced, as continuing to drive on worn bushes can accelerate tyre wear and compromise handling.