Renault Unclassified MOT Failures
An analysis of 2,364 real DVSA MOT tests on the Renault Unclassified — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the Renault Unclassified fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Renault Unclassified is rear registration plate lamp or light source mi... — this model is 13 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it worth watching for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 2,364 MOT tests, 3.45% of all Renault Unclassified tests recorded this as a failure.
Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.
Other notable weak points include lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a m... (27x the fleet average), light unit fault (12x the fleet average), wheel bearings worn (7.6x the fleet average), and significant brake effort recorded with no brake... (7.5x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Renault Unclassified'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 4 categories: Lights & Electrics, Suspension, Brakes, Bodywork. If you're inspecting a Renault Unclassified 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 Unclassified'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 Unclassified specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are rear registration plate lamp or light source mi... (9.4x the average) and significant brake effort recorded with no brake... (7.5x). exhaust system damage (6.5x) and exhaust system damage 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 Unclassified specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a m... (27x the average) and light unit fault (12x). wheel bearings worn (7.6x) and brake hoses perished or damaged (6.4x) also appear frequently.
The shift from rear registration plate lamp or light source mi... at lower mileages to lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a m... 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.
What to check before buying a Renault Unclassified
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Renault Unclassified:
Lights & Electrics — check for rear registration plate lamp or light source mi..., lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a m..., light unit fault. Suspension — check for wheel bearings worn.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Renault Unclassified?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Renault Unclassified MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Renault Unclassified?
Based on 2,364 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is rear registration plate lamp or light source mi... — at 13x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a m... and light unit fault.
Is the Renault Unclassified reliable based on MOT data?
The Renault Unclassified has 7 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is rear registration plate lamp or light source mi.... Always check a specific car's full history before buying.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Renault Unclassified most commonly fails on lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a m... and light unit fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are rear registration plate lamp or light source mi... and significant brake effort recorded with no brake....
How do I check a Renault Unclassified'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.