2003 Renault Avantime — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 315 MOT tests, the 2003 Renault Avantime recorded a 72.4% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.6%, so the 2003 Avantime sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (15.2%) and lighting & signalling (13.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), rigid brake pipes and coil spring — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 34 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 29.7% in the 60-90k band and 34.2% in the 150k+ band, a 4.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 31.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 29.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 31.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 15.2% | 48 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 41 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.2% | 32 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.3% | 20 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.4% | 17 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.8% | 15 |
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) | 34 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 21 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 16 |
| 4 | Individual direction indicators | 15 |
| 5 | Joints | 14 |
| 6 | Washers | 14 |
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 | 31.1% | 98 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.8% | 97 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.6% | 68 |
| 4 | Other defects | 18.4% | 58 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 46 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.7% | 40 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 64 | 29.7% |
| 90-120k | 101 | 24.8% |
| 120-150k | 77 | 29.9% |
| 150k+ | 41 | 34.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 69 | 29.0% |
| 2022 | 68 | 30.9% |
| 2023 | 61 | 18.0% |
| 2024 | 60 | 28.3% |
| 2025 | 57 | 31.6% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Avantime
On a 2003 Avantime, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (15.2% 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 (13.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.2% 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
How many 2003 Renault Avantimes pass their MOT?
72.4% of the 315 2003 Renault Avantime MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Renault Avantime?
Brakes, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.0%).
Does the 2003 Avantime get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.7% in the 60-90k band to 34.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 315 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.