Renault Trafic MOT Failures
An analysis of 369,981 real DVSA MOT tests on the Renault Trafic — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: T1000 (1980–2000), X70 (2001–2014), X82 (2014–2024).
Where the Renault Trafic fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Renault Trafic is abs fault — this model is 88 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 369,981 MOT tests, 0.09% of all Renault Trafic tests recorded this as a failure.
Brake failures on the MOT range from worn pads and discs (routine maintenance) to corroded brake lines and seized calipers (more serious). Check for any pulling under braking and listen for grinding.
Other notable weak points include headlight fault (552x the fleet average), steering rack wear (181x the fleet average), emissions failure (210x the fleet average), and lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a m... (59x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Renault Trafic's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Brakes, Lights & Electrics, Steering, Exhaust & Emissions, Bodywork. If you're inspecting a Renault Trafic before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Renault Trafic's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Renault Trafic specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are headlight fault (509x the average) and steering rack wear (181x). coil springs broken (136x) and stop lamps all missing or inoperative (88x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Renault Trafic specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are speedometer not working (1243x the average) and headlight fault (552x). emissions failure (180x) and structural corrosion (173x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Renault Trafic specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (210x the average) and headlight fault (187x). brake pipes corroded (90x) and abs fault (68x) also appear frequently.
The shift from headlight fault at lower mileages to emissions failure at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Renault Trafic specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Structural corrosion around suspension mounting points Dangerous
The Trafic suffers from severe corrosion in load-bearing structural areas within 30cm of suspension mounting points, particularly around the rear leaf spring hangers and front subframe mounting areas. Affects T1000, X70; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£2,000.
Steering ball joint wear and failure Dangerous
The Trafic experiences premature wear of steering ball joints, particularly the track rod ends and steering tie rod ball joints. Affects X70, X82; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£280.
Brake hose deterioration Major
Flexible brake hoses deteriorate internally and externally, becoming damaged, chafed, or excessively stretched. Affects T1000, X70, X82; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£160.
Emissions system failure (T1000) Major
Common causes include catalytic converter degradation, lambda sensor failure, and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve problems. Affects T1000; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£600.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Renault Trafic common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Renault Trafic
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Renault Trafic:
Brakes — check for abs fault, service brake efficiency below minimum requirement. Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault, lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a m..., indicator or hazard warning switch inoperative. Steering — check for steering rack wear. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about structural corrosion around suspension mounting points and steering ball joint wear and failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £800. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Renault Trafic?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Renault Trafic MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Renault Trafic?
Based on 369,981 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is abs fault — at 88x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include headlight fault and steering rack wear.
Is the Renault Trafic reliable based on MOT data?
The Renault Trafic has 27 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag structural corrosion around suspension mounting points as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Renault Trafic most commonly fails on emissions failure and headlight fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are headlight fault and steering rack wear.
How do I check a Renault Trafic's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.