2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range + Electricity · WR71 RCF

A pattern of recurring advisories centred on tyres and front suspension components emerges from the MOT history, indicating the kind of wear profile typical of a higher-mileage EV driven regularly over varied road surfaces. The most recent test on 26 August 2026 returned a clean pass with no advisories, which is encouraging, but the previous test in October 2025 flagged both rear tyres as worn close to the legal limit with only 1.4mm of usable tread remaining, and the test before that in November 2024 recorded slight play in the nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint. While no component has yet failed outright, the recurrence of component-specific advisories across consecutive tests suggests that wear items are being addressed reactively rather than as part of a structured preventive maintenance regime, and a buyer should expect these areas to require continued attention. Recorded mileage of 79,059 against an age of approximately five years equates to around 15,800 miles annually, which sits firmly in the upper bracket for a vehicle of this age and well above the average for a Model 3 in the UK market. There are no significant gaps between annual tests and mileage progression appears broadly consistent year on year, indicating the car has been in continuous regular use rather than left standing for prolonged periods. Mechanically, this sustained usage has implications for consumables such as tyres, brake components, suspension bushes and ball joints, and although the regenerative braking system on a Tesla reduces traditional pad wear, the rear brake discs and calipers can still suffer from corrosion and seizing due to infrequent manual braking application, particularly in damp UK conditions. For a prospective buyer, the front lower suspension arm ball joint flagged in 2024 warrants particular physical inspection, as slight play at MOT inspection thresholds can develop into more pronounced movement and a knocking or clunking sensation over uneven surfaces, particularly at low speed over speed humps or potholes. A test drive should include deliberate low-speed manoeuvres over uneven surfaces while listening for any clonking from the front end, and a visual check underneath should look for perished or cracked suspension bushes, any grease weeping from the ball joint boot, and uneven tyre wear across the front axle which would suggest alignment or suspension geometry issues. Given the high annual mileage and the rear tyre advisories from the 2025 test, a close inspection of all four tyres for uneven shoulder wear, sidewall damage or kerbing is essential, and the age of the current set should be established as replacement is likely imminent. The rear braking system should also be examined carefully despite no advisories being recorded, as rear discs and calipers on Teslas are prone to corrosion build-up through infrequent use. On the test drive, listen for any scraping or grinding noise when applying the brakes firmly, and check that the vehicle pulls up in a straight line without any vibration through the steering wheel which could indicate warped front discs. Inspect the rear calipers for seized sliders and the handbrake mechanism for full engagement, as these are known weak points on Model 3s that rarely see heavy brake application due to regenerative deceleration. Finally, request evidence of recent tyre replacements and suspension component rectification so that the buyer has confirmation that the items previously flagged have been professionally addressed rather than simply passed through subsequent tests.