The key points of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation technology of the motor drive controllers are analyzed. Based on NI platform and OPAL-RT software package for motor and power electronic simulation, a well-structured HIL simulation test system for developing, testing and verifying automotive micro controller unit (MCU) is established, providing complete functionalities including test management and configuration, customizing models, adding nonlinear features, online tuning and so forth. Detailed configuration methods of models of all parts are introduced respectively. On the basis of the motor calibration test, simulation tests with motor models of constant parameters and variable parameters are performed respectively. The test results of the variable parameter motor model are similar to those of the real bench test, with a relative error of less than 15%. Benefiting from software-implemented fault injection, the fault injection tests of IGBT fault, shoot-through of bridge arm and interphase short circuit are conveniently realized.