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Renault Espace reliability by build year

Coverage 2003-20141 named generationMPVDIESEL

We've only got 261 MOT tests for Renault Espaces built around 2008 (17 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

Not enough data

Renault Espace built around 2008: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Renault Espaces built around 2008 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

What to check before viewing

The Renault Espace's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

How build years differ

Over the last three years, fail rates rose, then fell back. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Espace's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Renault Espace fail rate by age

This chart combines every Renault Espace ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
6835.3%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
13435.1%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
11533.9%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
16836.3%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
26136.4%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
20338.9%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
8633.7%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
13225.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 18 years old.

What goes wrong most often on 17-year-old Renault Espaces

These issues come from 17-year-old Renault Espaces, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    29.5%
    Advisory: 107Fail: 7 (6% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    19.9%
    Advisory: 43Fail: 24 (36% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    19.2%
    Advisory: 54Fail: 14 (21% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    18.4%
    Advisory: 61Fail: 2 (3% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    14.6%
    Advisory: 38Fail: 5 (12% of the times it was found)

Based on 261 MOT tests on 17-year-old Renault Espaces, every generation combined.

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 17-year-old Renault Espaces notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelNot much data
  1. Brakes + Suspension42%
  2. Suspension + Tyres33%
  3. Lighting + Suspension31%
  4. Brakes + Tyres30%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 174 MOT tests on Renault Espace cars built around 2008 (17 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Renault Espace.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

12 recalls in all

All 12 Renault Espace recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 11 more

Top concerns

  • Possible fire risk
  • Potential of an odour and smoke emission from the dashboard
  • Possibility of emission from the dashboard vents into the cabin

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers to compare

  1. 1

    Toyota Alphard

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.2%
    Dangerous
    5.6%

    Lower fail rate: 21.0%, against 36.4% for the Renault Espace, both built around 2008.

    2,023 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  2. 2

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.5%
    Dangerous
    5.4%

    Lower fail rate: 21.1%, against 36.4% for the Renault Espace, both built around 2008.

    1,330 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  3. 3

    Nissan Elgrand

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.5%
    Dangerous
    8.2%

    Lower fail rate: 23.1%, against 36.4% for the Renault Espace, both built around 2008.

    2,345 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  4. 4

    Volkswagen Caddy

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.4%
    Dangerous
    6.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.8%

    Lower fail rate: 29.5%, against 36.4% for the Renault Espace, both built around 2008.

    6,217 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2008 (17 years old), the Renault Espace across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 261 17-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Renault Espace ever sold: 1,167 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2008 (17 years old): 261 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.