Known APK problem
Tesla Model S: lights
On the Tesla Model S the APK inspector finds lights problems 2.7× as often as on cars of the same age: at 5–6 years 20.8%, against about 7.7% nationally.
Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026
What is it?
Broken bulbs, misaligned headlights or damaged light units.
How to check it at the viewing
Walk around with the lights, indicators, brake lights and rear fog light on. Look for moisture in the headlights.
Ask the seller: Have the headlights been aligned, and has there been moisture in the light units?
By age
Share of inspected Tesla Model Ss with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.
| Age | Type | Model S | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 – 6 years | B | 20.8% | 7.7% | 2.7× |
| 7 – 8 years | B | 15.9% | 11.4% | 1.4× |
| 9 – 10 years | B | 13.8% | 13.8% | 1.0× |
| 11 – 12 years | B | 13.3% | 16.6% | 0.8× |
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 5–6 years
| Model | Lights | Vs. national |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model S | 20.8% | 2.7× |
| Volkswagen Arteon | 5.6% | 0.7× |
| BMW 5-serie G31 | 5.9% | 0.7× |
| Opel Insignia B | 6.5% | 0.8× |
| Volvo V90 / S90 II | 3.6% | 0.5× |
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 · Lights: which models more often · Checklist for this model
Frequently asked questions
Does the Tesla Model S often have lights problems?
Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 5–6 years the inspector found a lights defect on 20.8% of inspected Tesla Model Ss, against about 7.7% of all cars of the same age (2.7×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.
How do you check the lights on a used Tesla Model S?
Walk around with the lights, indicators, brake lights and rear fog light on. Look for moisture in the headlights.
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