2021 Renault Captur — MOT failures & pass rate
21,339 MOT tests on the 2021 Renault Captur are in this dataset, and 93.4% of them passed. Small SUVs of a similar age fail at 7.1%, so the 2021 Captur sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.5%) and visibility (2.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 421 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.2% in the 0-30k band and 13.0% in the 60-90k band, a 7.8-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — hybrid fails 6.1% of the time against 6.5% for petrol.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.3% of tests failed in 2023 against 6.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.5% | 750 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.1% | 459 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 262 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.2% | 250 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.7% | 154 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 108 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 421 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 345 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 321 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 144 |
| 5 | Washers | 108 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 83 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 21.6% | 4,613 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.2% | 1,327 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.7% | 1,219 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.0% | 431 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.9% | 417 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 66 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 15,062 | 5.2% |
| 30-60k | 5,957 | 9.7% |
| 60-90k | 300 | 13.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 18,834 | 6.5% |
| Hybrid | 2,089 | 6.1% |
| Diesel | 416 | 11.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 627 | 5.3% |
| 2024 | 10,392 | 6.4% |
| 2025 | 10,302 | 6.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Captur
On a 2021 Captur, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (2.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (1.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2021 Renault Capturs pass their MOT?
93.4% of the 21,339 2021 Renault Captur MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Renault Captur?
Tyres, recorded in 3.5% of tests, followed by visibility (2.1%).
Does the 2021 Captur get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.2% in the 0-30k band to 13.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 21,339 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.