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Tesla Model S / Model X vs VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Tesla Model S / Model X carries less risk than the VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric: 25/100 versus 30/100 (both moderate risk). The Tesla Model S / Model X has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «High-voltage battery or battery management (BMS) fault»; the VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Damaged cells in the high-voltage battery (January 2021 recall)».

Risk index

Tesla Model S / Model X

25

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric

30

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

12 sourcesHow we work

Is the Tesla Model S / Model X reliable?

The Tesla Model S and X electric drivetrain looks sound: Auto Bild hardly records any motor or battery faults, and the documented faults are isolated. The most-cited problems with these cars fall outside this section (screen, suspension, doors).[1][2]

See the 5 of the Tesla Model S / Model X faults

Is the VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric reliable?

The up! electric drivetrain has few documented faults: the only significant one is a January 2021 recall over damaged cells that affected 213 cars worldwide. The data is scarce because few units were sold.[3][4]

See the 2 of the VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Tesla Model S / Model X and VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric
Tesla Model S / Model XVW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelElectricalElectrical
Displacement——
Timing——
Power302–1020 hp54–83 hp
Production2012–2026[5][6]2013–2023[7][8]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)25Moderate risk30Moderate risk
Documented faults52
Of high or critical severity31
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: High-voltage battery or battery management (BMS) fault
  2. Critical severity: Leaks from battery cooling hoses (Model S 2012-2016)
  3. Medium severity: Vibrations from worn front driveshafts
  1. Critical severity: Damaged cells in the high-voltage battery (January 2021 recall)
  2. Low severity: High-voltage battery discharged after a long period parked
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • Second stage: 75D, 90D, 100D, P100D, Long Range and Performance (2016-2020)[2]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • First generation: Model S 60, 70, 85, P85 and D variants (2012-2016)[1][9]
  • Redesign: Long Range and Plaid (2021-2026)[10][11]
  • e-up! 18.7 kWh, up to 82 hp (2013-2019)[3]
  • e-up!, Citigo e iV and Mii electric 36.8 kWh, 83 hp (2019-2023)[4][12]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

Tesla Model S / Model X

VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric

Other comparisons

With the Tesla Model S / Model X

With the VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Fiabilité Tesla Model S (2012-2021): tous les problèmesfiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  2. Gebrauchtwagen-Test Tesla Model X: Der Tesla Model X macht gebraucht nur wenig ÄrgerAuto Bild · Motoring press · published 25 June 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  3. Volkswagen e-up!: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  4. Rückrufaktion bei VW E-Up, Seat Mii und Skoda Citigoauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published January 2021 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  5. Tesla Model SWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  6. Tesla Model XWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  7. VW e-up! (Wikipedia, alemán)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  8. Volkswagen e-Up! (Wikipedia, inglés)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  9. Tesla ändert Batteriegarantie: Kilometer statt Laufzeitauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published 6 February 2020 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  10. Tesla Model S Recalls in EUCar-Recalls.eu · Official body · consulted 30 October 2026
  11. Tesla Model X Recalls in EUCar-Recalls.eu · Official body · consulted 30 October 2026
  12. Fiabilité Volkswagen Up (2011-2023) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French