Tesla Model 3 common problems & fixes (2019–2023, "Highland" 2023–)

Written by the C4R team from DVSA data and owner reports. Fact-checked 2026-10-04.

30-second verdict

There is very little to go wrong in a used Model 3's drivetrain: no oil, no clutch, no cambelt, no exhaust. The things to check are the parts every car has. Build quality on earlier cars could be patchy, front suspension joints are a known source of creaks and clunks, and the tyres and brakes need attention because of the car's weight and instant torque. Battery health is the big-ticket question, and the Model 3's battery and drive unit warranty runs for 8 years with a mileage cap that depends on the version. Confirm that cover is still in date, and check every recall is closed. Tesla does most recall fixes over the air.

Versions at a glance

The late-2020 update brought a heat pump, a powered boot and a revised centre console. Late-2021 cars gained more standard comfort kit.

Known issues

1. Front suspension creaks and clunks

Label: Reported by owners and specialists

• What you notice: creaking or squeaking at low speed when turning, clunks over speed bumps, and later some steering vagueness.
• Which cars: pre-refresh cars, more commonly above roughly 40,000 miles.
• Why: water gets past the ball-joint boots on the front upper control arms and washes out the grease. Lower arm and compliance bushes can also tear.
• Fix and typical cost: a pair of front upper control arms is roughly £300–£650 fitted; lower link bushes add more. Typical UK independent garage, 2026. Aftermarket arms with serviceable joints are available.
• DIY difficulty: 3/5.
• Check when buying: drive slowly on full lock in a car park with the windows down.

2. Panel gaps and paint quality

Label: Reported by owners and noted in UK used-car reviews

• What you notice: uneven gaps around the boot, doors and bonnet; thin or chipped paint; damage from pressure washing.
• Fix and typical cost: varies. A panel adjustment is cheap, and a respray of one panel is roughly £250–£500. Typical UK independent garage, 2026.
• Check when buying: look along the car in good daylight and compare the gaps on each side.

3. Water leaks and rear screen cracks

Label: Reported by owners and noted in UK used-car reviews

• What you notice: damp carpets, water in the boot or the frunk, or a crack in the rear glass that appears without any impact.
• Why: door and boot seals may not seal fully, and owners link some rear-glass cracks to body flex.
• Check when buying: feel the carpets, lift the boot floor, and inspect all the glass, including the roof.

4. Fast tyre wear and costly tyres

Label: Reported by owners A heavy car with instant torque wears tyres quickly, especially Performance models on 20-inch wheels. Check all four for tread and inner-edge wear, and check the alignment. Expect roughly £150–£300 per tyre for EV-rated premium tyres (typical UK supplier, 2026).

5. 12-volt / low-voltage battery warnings

Label: Reported by owners Early cars used a conventional 12V battery that can give warning messages as it ages; later cars moved to a lithium low-voltage battery. Replacement is typically £100–£300 (typical UK independent garage or Tesla service, 2026).

6. Brakes on lightly used cars

Label: Reported by owners As with any EV, regenerative braking means the discs can corrode. Tesla recommends periodic brake cleaning and lubrication in some climates, and UK reviewers quote a brake fluid check at about £180.

Battery health

• Ask the seller for a screenshot of the car's range at 100% charge, and compare it with the original figure for that version.
• Check the battery and drive unit warranty (8 years from first registration, with a mileage limit that varies by version) is still in force.
• A car that has mostly been rapid-charged is not necessarily a bad buy, but a record of a sensible charging routine is reassuring.

Recalls

Recall descriptions are summarised from DVSA recall records. Many Tesla fixes are software updates delivered over the air. Check the car on GOV.UK and in Tesla's own recall lookup.

MOT watch-points

What the 2024 DVSA figures say

• First-time pass rate: 89.3% from 1,452 normal Class 4 and 7 Tesla Model 3 tests.
• National comparison: 71.5% across the same 2024 dataset, so this model was 17.8 percentage points above the national first-time pass rate.
• Typical tested mileage: median 46,501 miles; mean 48,697 miles.

Most common recorded failure reasons

One test can record more than one defect, so the shares must not be added together.

Common advisories to check before buying

• Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge — recorded on 26.1% of tests.
• Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre — recorded on 4.2% of tests.
• Tyres - condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords — recorded on 4.2% of tests.

Method and limits: C4R calculated these figures from DVSA's anonymised 2024 MOT results. Pass rate is P / (P + F + PRS) for normal Class 4 and 7 tests. Results are de-duplicated by test, low-volume rows are suppressed, and DVSA model labels are standardised into a model family. These figures describe tested cars as a group; they do not predict the condition of one vehicle or prove that every trim and generation performs the same way.

DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results · Open Government Licence v3.0

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024.

• Suspension: front arm ball joints and bushes.
• Tyres: tread depth and inner-edge wear.
• Brakes: corroded discs and imbalance.
• Lamps: headlamp aim and function.

Buying one? Our checklist

1. Check recalls on GOV.UK and confirm the latest software is installed.
2. Test the front suspension slowly on full lock, then over speed bumps.
3. Walk round the car in daylight looking at panel gaps and paint.
4. Feel the carpets, and check the boot and frunk for water.
5. Inspect all the glass, especially the rear screen and roof.
6. Check all four tyres.
7. Review battery range at 100% charge and the warranty end date.
8. Make sure both key cards and the phone key are transferred, and that the previous owner removes the car from their Tesla account.
9. Check which features (for example driver-assist packages) are tied to the car and which were tied to the old owner.

Sources & further reading

• GOV.UK: check if a vehicle has been recalled
• DVSA recalls database (data.gov.uk)
• Vehicle Recall UK: Tesla Model 3 (DVSA data)
• Tesla UK: recall information
• Auto Express: used Tesla Model 3 review
• Carwow: used Tesla Model 3 buying guide
• Tesla Motors Club: front upper control arms thread
• P3 Performance: Model 3 and Model Y suspension problems

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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