Renault
Espace
3,161 MOT tests analysed. runs below the UK fleet average — here's where Espaces pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 14.4 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
63.1%
Pass-after-fix
5.0%
Fail
30.3%
Avg miles
126,580
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Some examples of this model are borderline — a small number of diesels were certified Euro 6 before September 2015. Check your registration on the government's ULEZ checker to be certain. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 · Bristol £9.00 .
The picture
Espace: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 2,439 MOT tests, the Espace returns 64.9% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a number-plate lamp out. A worn steering ball joint and a broken or weak spring round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 122,290, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 8–24
Below the fleet average — generally reasonable to insure. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
8–24
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
Filter failures:
Hide categories
Tick a category to hide it from rankings sitewide. Saved in this browser only.
- 01
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
155 occurrences · 4.9% of tests
- 02
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
128 occurrences · 4.0% of tests
- 03
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
128 occurrences · 4.0% of tests
- 04
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
120 occurrences · 3.8% of tests
- 05
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
117 occurrences · 3.7% of tests
- 06
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
110 occurrences · 3.5% of tests
- 07
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
106 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
- 08
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
81 occurrences · 2.6% of tests
- 09
Warning device shows system malfunction
74 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 10
A battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier
70 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 3 failures
£168–£515
If every one of this Espace's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
Try the calculator
Build your own retest budget.
Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
My Motor World · affiliate
Parts & supplies for this fix
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Hycote
Hycote Renault Black Pearlescent Double Acrylic Spray Paint 150ml
£6.59
View at My Motor World →
Hycote
Hycote Renault Tungsten Metallic Double Acrylic Spray Paint 150ml
£6.59
View at My Motor World →
Hycote
Hycote Renault Glacier White Double Acrylic Spray Paint 150ml
£6.59
View at My Motor World →
Hycote
Hycote Renault Platinum Metallic Double Acrylic Spray Paint 150ml
£6.59
View at My Motor World →
Click Mechanic · affiliate
Book a mobile mechanic
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Mobile mechanic · UK-wide
Book a mechanic at your door.
Fixed-price quotes upfront. No garage needed. Click Mechanic sends a vetted local mechanic to you — home, work, or roadside.
Recall history
12 UK recalls on record.
The Espace has 12 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping an Espace?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own an Espace and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.