Small car · 2012–2021 cars
Renault Zoe reliability
The Renault Zoe fails 26.5% of first MOT tests, 76% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 41,268 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Renault Zoe before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 26.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 76% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 41,268
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,900
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Renault Zoe ages
Each point is the share of Renault Zoes of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Renault Zoe | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 14.5% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 23.6% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 32.2% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 33.1% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 34.4% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 36.1% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 39.6% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 39.2% | 31.8% |
By year
The best and worst Renault Zoe years
2020 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Zoe | 1,810 | 13.4% | 26% more fails | 20,358 |
| 2020 Zoe | 8,739 | 12.4% | 10% more fails | 23,060 |
| 2019 Zoe | 6,305 | 23.2% | 96% more fails | 23,553 |
| 2018 Zoe | 5,998 | 28.9% | 115% more fails | 28,991 |
| 2017 Zoe | 3,589 | 32.6% | 101% more fails | 37,602 |
| 2016 Zoe | 5,184 | 33.6% | 98% more fails | 34,125 |
| 2015 Zoe | 5,815 | 35.4% | 81% more fails | 38,981 |
| 2014 Zoe | 2,750 | 38.5% | 73% more fails | 45,277 |
| 2013 Zoe | 1,075 | 37% | 48% more fails | 48,681 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Renault Zoe
Its weak spot is suspension: 412% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension12.3%412% above avg
- Tyres9.1%103% above avg
- Lights and electrics7.5%95% above avg
- Brakes2.9%11% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.7%15% below avg
- Steering0.6%24% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.4%14% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.4%44% below avg
- Wheels0.2%11% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 7.33% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 2
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 2.65% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.34% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 4
Stop lamp not working 1.84% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 5
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.65% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 6
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.51% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 7
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn 1.41% of tests
A worn linkage ball joint can rattle, affect handling and eventually fail, so it should be replaced.
- 8
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.26% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Renault Zoe's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit11.56%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking11.43%
- Brake disc pitted or scored7.04%
- Suspension ball joint slight play3.15%
- Linkage ball joint slight play2.84%
- Indicator lens slightly discoloured2.17%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Renault Zoe
- 1
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 2
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 4
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 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 Zoe covers about 5,900 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
- Electric100%
Most common colours
White, Grey, Blue, Black, Red
Compare
How the Renault Zoe compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Fiat Grande Punto | 45% | 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Splash | 35.4% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Modus | 49.6% | 32% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Dacia Logan | 28.7% | 35% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MG 3 | 23.4% | 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Aveo | 50.6% | 51% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Zoe | 26.5% | 76% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Renault models.
Questions
Renault Zoe questions, answered
Is the Renault Zoe reliable?
On MOT results, the Renault Zoe is well below average: it fails 26.5% of first MOT tests, 76% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 63 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Renault Zoe MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Renault Zoe are suspension ball joint excessively worn (7.33% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (2.65% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (2.34% of tests). By area, suspension fails 12.3% of its tests.
Which Renault Zoe year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (10% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (115% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Renault Zoe do a year?
A typical Renault Zoe covers about 5,900 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 Zoe 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.
Found a Renault Zoe? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.