Model 3 requiring MOT soon

[ElectricJoules]

I was one of the lucky ones who received by model 3 in August 2019, at that time seeing another model 3 on the road was a very rare sight. Anyway it is coming up to the time for it's first MOT. I understand that Tesla do not do MOTs, so the advice is to take it to a garage your trust.
What might be the problems when a model 3 is MOTed? I know that during the process the car needs lifting so the front wheels are in the air, are there suitable lifting points under the car other than where the lifting pucks can be placed? Must the car be lifted only from the designated body lift points behind the front wheels?
What other problems might arise?

 

[stonecoldrmw]

Watching this as mine is due in March 2023

 

[DM206433]

Wiki - Your first UK Tesla MOT? Checklist before the visit.

I'm closing on the date I need to MOT my Tesla Model 3, so I thought I'd research a little and create this checklist of things (ordered by priority) you should probably ensure to make sure the test goes smoothly. If you can help edit or add to this list, that'd be great. Let's help each other...

teslamotorsclub.com

 

[UkNorthampton]

Watching. I didn't realise Tesla didn't do MOTs. What do Model S/X owners do around Northampton? Other areas?

Tesla advice for MOT testers - Ministry of Transport (MOT) Testing

Model S thread - First MOT / Recommendations - many ended up taking it to local garage, but be careful of jacks, weight (Model S) and ground clearance/bodywork.

 

[up_north]

If you look at MOT website, the only thing that probably won’t be tested is fuel system and emissions. Everything else should be the same? I guess they might be more susceptible to brake issues due to their lack of use.

 

[ElectricJoules]

If you look at MOT website, the only thing that probably won’t be tested is fuel system and emissions. Everything else should be the same? I guess they might be more susceptible to brake issues due to their lack of use.

It's more a question of the MOT tester knowing how to do things - how to test the electronic parking brake, how to lift the car up, how to lift the wiper blades, how to put the car into towing mode etc

 

[HenryT]

I used National Tyres for my MOT when I had a 2015 MS about 18 months ago.

They showed me two pages of notes they were given by their people after I had booked it in and acknowledged it was their first Tesla. Happy to use my jack pucks and said they had their own 'on order'.

No hesitation going back there if I had to and offered 50% off for online booking.

 

[srichards]

I took my Model S for the first MOT in my care to a HEVRA garage that also did MOTs and that could do van class or above as that meant they had a good big lift. For the Model 3 I'd just choose your nearest HEVRA garage that offer MOTs or that can sort an MOT for you with a suitable garage.

Other EVs don't quite have the quirks of the Tesla so I'd think any normal MOT Place would be fine. There's also the council run ones that don't do repairs as well.

I'd rather the person checking the car over actually knew what they could poke with a screw driver and what they shouldn't.

 

[m-i-l]

I did my first Model 3 MOT last week. I went to the nearest reasonably reputable sounding local garage (the nearest HEVRA garage was a bit further away). They said they'd done quite a few Teslas, and like them because there's not as much to test. They also said the only unusual thing they'd noticed in the past was unusual tyre wear patterns on very high mileage Teslas (presumably because of the weight of the batteries).

The job was done in 20 mins at a total cost of £45.

 

[davidmc]

I have mine booked in for an MOT on Aug 18th @ Electric Vehicle specialist | eTech Midlands | Leicester - Syston Leicester if anyone else is close by.

£40 for an MOT here

 

[pgkevet]

I have a very friendly laid back garage locally where my S Mot consisted mostly of drinking tea. Trouble is their new hoist isn't wide enough so this year may be more challenging (or more tea).

 

[ACarneiro]

I have a very friendly laid back garage locally where my S Mot consisted mostly of drinking tea. Trouble is their new hoist isn't wide enough so this year may be more challenging (or more tea).

So they didn’t actually test anything?

 

[spon88]

Using the guys I used to go to with an ICE in the past. It will be their first Tesla but I've discussed things like jack plugs (I have some) and I will be on hand to take them through the controls etc as needed. They were quite excited to be able to get some experience with the car. I had planned to drive to Cleevely EV but too far for a yearly test.

 

[m3p_uk]

Interested to know if anyone has done an MOT in South London with a model 3 as mines due soon!

 

[bhanorthy]

Highly recommend Cleevley EV. They are based in Cheltenham so I had to drive an hour and a half each way but they specialise in EVs so know what they are doing. You can email them for a quote, I also got mine serviced at the same time.

They have a place to work and Wifi so I just worked there for a morning. Passed with advisories for tyre tread levels.

 

[Sean.]

Find a friendly local garage. It’s much simpler to MOT an EV than a petrol or diesel car.

Just bring a set of jack pads with you.

My advice would be to avoid the large chains if you can.

 

[pgkevet]

So they didn’t actually test anything?

Yeah, of course they did - one of those power rolling sections to test brakes and lights are easy to check and up on the hoist for a look under and wheel wells etc. It just needed cups of tea to do properly and everyone thought it hilarious that I'd forgotten to turn sentry mode off.. meant more tea. Oh, and no jack pucks ..just sawed up some timber. The whole thing was about £30. They'd had it in before for punctures so used to lifting it and quite happy to let the owner have a good look underneath too.

 

[ACarneiro]

Sounds like a nice bunch!
My first MOT is coming up on Monday and I too am slightly apprehensive…

 

[pgkevet]

Sounds like a nice bunch!
My first MOT is coming up on Monday and I too am slightly apprehensive…

Only 30-35 miles from Shrewsbury - Station Rd Garage Llanfyllin.

 

[ElectricJoules]

Well my M3 had it's MOT today at Lavender Motors in Haywards Heath West Sussex, and all was good. The Bradbury 3 Tonne lift had suitable extending arms (extending from the centreline out towards the sills) with rubber pads that could be placed under the jacking points. The technician referred to his terminal half way through (maybe looking up how to get into transport mode, or test the electronic handbrake), leaving me to watch from the MOT viewing area. All good, I'll probably be back there in 12 months.