MPV and people carrier · 1996–2017 cars
Renault Espace reliability
The Renault Espace fails 47.9% of first MOT tests, 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 5,813 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Renault Espace before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 47.9%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 12% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 5,813
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 9,400
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Renault Espace ages
Each point is the share of Renault Espaces of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Renault Espace | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 51.5% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 49.8% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 50.2% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 48.1% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 52.8% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 47.6% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 41.6% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 46.4% | 43.4% |
By year
The best and worst Renault Espace years
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 331 | 48.6% | 26% more fails | 114,331 |
| 2010 | 441 | 48.8% | 20% more fails | 119,847 |
| 2009 | 477 | 51.8% | 22% more fails | 119,364 |
| 2008 | 886 | 50.3% | 14% more fails | 124,094 |
| 2007 Espace | 1,321 | 51.2% | 15% more fails | 123,142 |
| 2006 | 589 | 48% | 8% more fails | 117,144 |
| 2005 | 463 | 44.5% | 0% fewer fails | 112,378 |
| 2004 | 351 | 44.7% | 3% more fails | 101,752 |
| 2002 | 278 | 44.2% | 4% more fails | 107,637 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Renault Espace
Its weak spot is steering: 146% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics20.8%0% above avg
- Suspension19.8%14% above avg
- Brakes16.8%35% above avg
- Steering9.5%146% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure8.7%7% above avg
- Tyres7.5%1% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.5%7% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.2%36% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags2%17% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 6.57% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.63% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 5.57% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 4
CV joint boot split or insecure 5.01% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 5
Position lamp not working 4.51% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 6
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.44% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 7
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.27% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 8
ABS warning lamp shows a fault 3.2% of tests
A lit ABS warning means the anti-lock system may not work, so wheels could lock during emergency braking.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Renault Espace's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit19.68%
- Brake disc pitted or scored15.31%
- Slight play in steering rack joints11.68%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive10.36%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion9.15%
- Brake pads wearing thin8.43%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Renault Espace
- 1
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 4
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Renault Espace covers about 9,400 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel80.2%
- Petrol19.7%
- LPG0.1%
Most common colours
Silver, Blue, Grey, Black, Red
Average engine size: 2.1 litres.
Compare
How the Renault Espace compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Voxy | 11.7% | 55% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Serena | 21.3% | 33% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jeep Grand Voyager | 46% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Espace | 47.9% | 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Grand Espace | 47.8% | 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chrysler PT Cruiser | 46.1% | 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën Spacetourer | 21.4% | 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every mpv and people carrier ranked in the mpv and people carrier reliability index, or all Renault models.
Questions
Renault Espace questions, answered
Is the Renault Espace reliable?
On MOT results, the Renault Espace is below average: it fails 47.9% of first MOT tests, 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 28 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.
What fails most on a Renault Espace MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Renault Espace are track rod end ball joint excessively worn (6.57% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (5.63% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (5.57% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 20.8% of its tests.
How many miles does a Renault Espace do a year?
A typical Renault Espace covers about 9,400 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Renault Espace before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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