2003 Renault Espace — MOT failures & pass rate
446 MOT tests on the 2003 Renault Espace are in this dataset, and 73.1% of them passed. That is 3.1 percentage points better than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 30.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.4% of all tests — 4.9 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 42 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 27.7% in the 30-60k band and 21.4% in the 150k+ band, a 6.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 73 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.4% | 51 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.6% | 43 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.3% | 28 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 28 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.0% | 27 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 42 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 25 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 23 |
| 4 | Wipers | 22 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 19 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 18 |
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 | 30.0% | 134 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.6% | 132 |
| 3 | Other defects | 28.7% | 128 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 27.6% | 123 |
| 5 | Suspension | 27.4% | 122 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 16.1% | 72 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 65 | 27.7% |
| 60-90k | 105 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 148 | 33.8% |
| 120-150k | 73 | 26.0% |
| 150k+ | 42 | 21.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 243 | 26.8% |
| Petrol | 203 | 27.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 167 | 27.5% |
| 2022 | 113 | 24.8% |
| 2023 | 80 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 47 | 29.8% |
| 2025 | 39 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Espace
On a 2003 Espace, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.4% 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.
- Suspension (9.6% 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 Espaces pass their MOT?
73.1% of the 446 2003 Renault Espace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Renault Espace?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by brakes (11.4%).
Does the 2003 Espace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.7% in the 30-60k band to 21.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 446 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.