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Renault Trafic reliability by build year

Coverage 2001-present2 named generationspanel vanVanDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Renault Trafic built around 2018: fails its MOT more often than average

Renault Trafics built around 2018 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the suspension on any car you view.

Check a Renault Trafic by number plate

Key figure

28% of MOT tests on Renault Trafics built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 22% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Renault Trafics built around 2018 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

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

Brake pads

High priority

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

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.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Steering track rods

Worth checking

On a flat surface, rock the steering wheel briefly with the engine off and listen for clunks.

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.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Trafic's generation

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

Trafic Mk3

Mk3 (2014-present)

Poor
DIESEL

27.6% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 13,290 MOT tests at this ageView details →
M

Mk2 (2001-2013)

Poor
DIESELPETROL

35.3% fail rate, built around 2013 (12 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 26.3%)

From 3,352 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Renault Trafic.

See every build year for the Renault Trafic

Side-by-side

Renault Trafic generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk3 (2014-present)
Poor
Poor27.6%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 13,290 MOT tests at this age
Mk2 (2001-2013)
Poor
Poor35.3%built around 2013 (12 years old)from 3,352 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Trafic, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Renault Trafic fail rate by age

This chart combines every Renault Trafic 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
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
10,57418.8%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
11,24019.1%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
8,67621.9%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
13,04524.9%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
13,29027.6%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
17,79328.5%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
18,90529.5%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
13,47431.3%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
9,77133.7%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
7,33934.7%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
8,51935.5%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
8,38936.2%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
5,60635.2%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
4,22034.7%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
5,62634.3%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
5,21036.2%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
4,04634.8%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
3,28335.3%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
2,31036.3%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,20336.8%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
39233.2%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,88535.9%

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 22 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Renault Trafic stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Renault models

10th of 11

10th lowest fail rate of 11 Renault models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against other vans

3rd of 4

3rd lowest fail rate of 4 vans with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against the UK average

27.5%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Renault Trafics

These issues come from 7-year-old Renault Trafics, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

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

    20.9%
    Advisory: 2,646Fail: 1,474 (36% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    16.9%
    Advisory: 2,963Fail: 216 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Track rod end ball joint has slight play

    13.1%
    Advisory: 905Fail: 1,219 (57% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    11.9%
    Advisory: 1,617Fail: 363 (18% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    11.4%
    Advisory: 1,291Fail: 455 (26% of the times it was found)

Based on 13,290 MOT tests on 7-year-old Renault Trafics, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Renault Trafics notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Suspension31%
  2. Suspension + Tyres30%
  3. Lighting + Suspension26%
  4. Brakes + Tyres20%

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

Across 5,751 MOT tests on Renault Trafic cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

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

89%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

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.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

36 recalls in all

23 of the 36 Renault Trafic recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 21 more

Top concerns

  • On affected vehicles the driver and passenger airbag and seatbelt pre-tensioners may not deploy.
  • Airbag may not deploy correctly
  • The handbrake may not hold the vehicle in place

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

Like-for-like

Other vans to compare

Other vans to compare

  1. 1

    Volkswagen Transporter

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.9%
    Dangerous
    4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    Lower fail rate: 19.4%, against 27.5% for the Renault Trafic, both built around 2018.

    28,254 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Peugeot Partner

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.8%
    Dangerous
    6.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91%

    No clear edge over the Renault Trafic on these figures.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    20,187 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

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.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Renault Trafic across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. It has the 10th lowest fail rate of 11 Renault models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 13,290 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Renault Trafic ever sold: 174,796 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 13,290 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.