Renault Trucks Master MOT pass rate & common failures
The Renault Trucks Master appears in 397 MOT tests spanning model years 2006–2015, and 70.0% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 25.5% of the time, so this is 4.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: brakes, recorded in 18.1% of tests against 14.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), service brake performance and ball joint — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 42 times.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 24.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 28.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 33.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Master model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 296 | 68.6% | 31.4% | Brakes |
| 2011 | 41 | 63.4% | 36.6% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 18.1% | 72 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 59 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.8% | 43 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 19 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.8% | 19 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.3% | 17 |
| 7 | Steering | 3.0% | 12 |
| 8 | Tyres | 2.0% | 8 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 42 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 25 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 22 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 20 |
| 5 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 13 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 12 |
| 7 | Switch | 12 |
| 8 | Wipers | 11 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 24.7% | 98 |
| 2 | Suspension | 21.4% | 85 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 17.1% | 68 |
| 4 | Tyres | 14.1% | 56 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.8% | 39 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.6% | 38 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 90-120k | 42 | 26.2% |
| 150k+ | 282 | 32.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 85 | 28.2% |
| 2022 | 73 | 26.0% |
| 2023 | 81 | 30.9% |
| 2024 | 77 | 31.2% |
| 2025 | 81 | 33.3% |
What to check before buying a Renault Trucks Master
- Brakes (18.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (14.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Renault Trucks Master?
70.0% of the 397 Renault Trucks Master MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 30.0% fail rate, across model years 2006–2015.
What does the Renault Trucks Master most often fail its MOT on?
Brakes, recorded in 18.1% of tests, then lighting & signalling (14.9%).
Methodology & source. Based on 397 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.