Known APK problem

Tesla Model S: brakes

On the Tesla Model S the APK inspector finds brakes problems 60% more often than on cars of the same age: at 11–12 years 4.4%, against about 2.8% nationally.

Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026

What is it?

Worn or rusted brake discs and pads, or uneven braking.

Repair indication: mediuma targeted repair at the garage.

How to check it at the viewing

Look through the wheel at the discs: no deep grooves or thick rust edge. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stay straight.

Ask the seller: When were the brake discs and pads last replaced?

By age

Share of inspected Tesla Model Ss with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.

Age	Type	Model S	95%-CI	National	Difference	n
5 – 6 years	C	1.7%	0.8 – 3.6%	1.9%	0.9×	360
7 – 8 years	A	0.4%	0.2 – 0.7%	1.0%	0.4×	2,797
7 – 8 years	B	0.6%	0.4 – 1.0%	1.5%	0.4×	2,797
7 – 8 years	C	2.8%	2.3 – 3.5%	2.5%	1.1×	2,797
9 – 10 years	A	1.0%	0.6 – 1.6%	1.7%	0.6×	1,656
9 – 10 years	B	0.5%	0.3 – 1.0%	1.7%	0.3×	1,656
9 – 10 years	C	3.5%	2.7 – 4.5%	2.7%	1.3×	1,656
11 – 12 years	A	1.1%	0.7 – 1.8%	2.8%	0.4×	1,276
11 – 12 years	B	2.1%	1.5 – 3.1%	1.8%	1.2×	1,276
11 – 12 years	C	4.4%	3.4 – 5.7%	2.8%	1.6×	1,276

A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.

Comparable cars at 11–12 years

Model	Brakes	Vs. national
Tesla Model S	4.4%	1.6×
BMW 5-serie F11	0.6%	0.2×
Peugeot 508 I	1.6%	0.6×
BMW 5-serie F10	0.4%	0.1×

Looking at a Tesla Model S? Check that car

Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other Tesla Model Ss of the same age.

All weak spots of the Tesla Model S · Brakes: which models more often · Checklist for this model

Frequently asked questions

Does the Tesla Model S often have brakes problems?

Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 11–12 years the inspector found a brakes defect on 4.4% of inspected Tesla Model Ss, against about 2.8% of all cars of the same age (1.6×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.

How do you check the brakes on a used Tesla Model S?

Look through the wheel at the discs: no deep grooves or thick rust edge. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stay straight.

Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.

Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know