MPV and people carrier · 1998–2012 cars
Renault Grand Espace reliability
The Renault Grand Espace fails 47.8% of first MOT tests, 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 6,323 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Renault Grand Espace before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 47.8%
- 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
- 6,323
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 9,600
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Renault Grand Espace ages
Each point is the share of Renault Grand Espaces of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Renault Grand Espace | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 38.3% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 45.6% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 44.1% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 47.1% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 49.1% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 49.6% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 49.4% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 52.7% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 50.2% | 43.5% |
By year
The best and worst Renault Grand Espace years
2007 cars come out best and 2008 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 262 | 36.6% | 3% more fails | 95,388 |
| 2011 | 772 | 42.2% | 10% more fails | 103,371 |
| 2010 | 719 | 46.9% | 16% more fails | 117,120 |
| 2009 | 516 | 46.3% | 8% more fails | 126,836 |
| 2008 Grand Espace | 1,124 | 51.1% | 17% more fails | 117,211 |
| 2007 Grand Espace | 1,334 | 50.4% | 13% more fails | 127,873 |
| 2006 | 543 | 54.1% | 20% more fails | 122,187 |
| 2005 | 386 | 43.8% | 1% fewer fails | 116,423 |
| 2004 | 259 | 47.5% | 7% more fails | 108,559 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Renault Grand Espace
Its weak spot is steering: 173% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics21.2%4% above avg
- Suspension20.3%18% above avg
- Brakes15.5%30% above avg
- Steering10.3%173% above avg
- Tyres7.5%3% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure7.4%1% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.6%16% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.8%40% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags2.5%14% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 7.72% 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 6.44% 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 5.76% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 4
Position lamp not working 4.62% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 5
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.3% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 6
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.23% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 7
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.82% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 8
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 2.78% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Renault Grand Espace's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit20.37%
- Brake disc pitted or scored15.72%
- Slight play in steering rack joints10.66%
- Brake pads wearing thin9.47%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive9.35%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion8.13%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Renault Grand 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
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 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 Grand Espace covers about 9,600 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
- Diesel90.6%
- Petrol9.2%
- LPG0.1%
Most common colours
Silver, Black, Blue, Grey, Beige
Average engine size: 2.1 litres.
Compare
How the Renault Grand 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 Grand Espace questions, answered
Is the Renault Grand Espace reliable?
On MOT results, the Renault Grand Espace is below average: it fails 47.8% of first MOT tests, 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 31 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.
What fails most on a Renault Grand Espace MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Renault Grand Espace are track rod end ball joint excessively worn (7.72% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (6.44% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (5.76% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 21.2% of its tests.
Which Renault Grand Espace year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2007 cars do best (13% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2008 cars do worst (17% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Renault Grand Espace do a year?
A typical Renault Grand Espace covers about 9,600 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 Grand 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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