Tesla service schedule: what needs doing and when

The short answer

Is there an annual Tesla service?

No fixed one. Tesla's owner's manual gives a list of individual maintenance items, each with its own interval, rather than a yearly service¹. Tesla also says the list is not comprehensive and that some items may need doing more or less often depending on how and where you drive¹.

Many owners still book a yearly check with a Tesla Service Centre or an independent EV specialist, which is a sensible way to catch tyre, brake and suspension wear early.

The official list

Tesla's maintenance intervals (Model 3 and Model Y)

• Brake fluid: health check every 4 years, replaced if necessary¹. Heavy braking (towing, mountain roads, track use) may need more frequent checks. Tesla says not to top up the brake fluid yourself¹.
• Cabin air filter: every 2 years¹. On a Model Y fitted with HEPA and carbon filters, Tesla gives 3 years².
• Tyre rotation: every 10,000 km (about 6,250 miles), or sooner if the tread depth difference between tyres is 1.5 mm or more¹.
• Brake calipers: clean and lubricate every year or 12,500 miles if you drive on roads that are salted in winter¹, which covers most of the UK.
• Wiper blades: replace every year¹.
• Battery coolant: under most circumstances it does not need replacing for the life of the car¹.

Brake pads, the low-voltage battery, tyres and other wear items are not on a fixed schedule: they are replaced when worn¹.

UK MOT

When does a Tesla need an MOT?

Like any car, a Tesla needs its first MOT by the third anniversary of registration, then every year³. Electric cars skip the emissions test, but brakes, tyres, suspension, lights and steering are all checked. See our Tesla MOT guide for the items Teslas most often fail on.

UK tips

What matters most on UK roads

• Brakes: regenerative braking means the friction brakes are used lightly, so discs and calipers can corrode, especially with road salt. See sticking calipers and rusty discs.
• Tyres: Teslas are heavy and can wear the inner edge of the tyre where you can't easily see it. See Tesla tyre wear.
• Keep records: keep receipts and invoices for any work done. It helps when you sell the car.

Sources

Where this information comes from

1. Tesla Model 3 Owner's Manual: Maintenance Service Intervals
2. Tesla Service: Model Y maintenance intervals (cabin and HEPA filters)
3. GOV.UK: Getting an MOT