Tesla Model 3 Failed Vehicle Inspection

The Tesla Model 3 is the worst-rated vehicle in its segment during the highly rigorous mandatory technical inspection after 3 years in Germany.

To ensure that used cars are in good enough condition to stay on the road safely, all European countries have implemented a technical inspection. However, the frequency and content of these regular inspections vary from country to country. The Tesla Model 3 has just begun undergoing these inspections in Germany, and it has already earned the undesirable title of vehicle with the most failed inspections among 111 other models.

The Technischer Überwachungsverein (TÜV, or Technical Inspection Association) in Germany must inspect cars for the first time three years after their delivery to their first owners. After that, they must be tested again every two years. According to Auto Bild, 14.7% of all evaluated Model 3s failed the inspection. To gauge the significance of this figure, the average in this segment is 5.7%. The study this year was based on 10,225,866 inspections.

This is logically the first time the Model 3 appears in the report, but it is not the first time a Tesla has disappointed. In January 2022, TÜV revealed that the Model S was also the worst electric vehicle with a battery (BEV) in the report. The American manufacturer’s flagship had a rejection rate of 10.7% at the time. That year, the average was 4.7%. Only the Dacia Duster and Dacia Logan had worse results at that time.

According to Auto Bild, most of the flaws in the Model 3 are related to suspension components and brake discs. The Model S had issues with fog lights and low beam headlights, but its main weakness was in the control arms.

The fact is that all Tesla models have already been officially recalled in the United States for suspension problems. When this happened in China, the manufacturer blamed its supplier, who preferred to stay quiet to avoid losing its prestigious customer. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter who is to blame because the main victims are Tesla’s customers. 14.7% of them must be deeply disappointed. The upcoming French figures will be interesting in this regard.