2005 Renault Espace — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2005 Renault Espace passed 70.6% of its 1,011 recorded MOT tests. MPVs of a similar age fail at 30.0%, so the 2005 Espace sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.4%) and suspension (14.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and ball joint — headlamp aim alone was recorded 79 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 36.8% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 30.7% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 32.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.5% in 2021 to 24.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 176 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.9% | 151 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.4% | 125 |
| 4 | Steering | 6.1% | 62 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.2% | 53 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 48 |
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 | 79 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 75 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 67 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 64 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 63 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 34 |
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 | 32.9% | 333 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.0% | 303 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.4% | 297 |
| 4 | Other defects | 28.4% | 287 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 25.6% | 259 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 23.2% | 234 |
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 | 38 | 36.8% |
| 60-90k | 203 | 28.1% |
| 90-120k | 333 | 29.7% |
| 120-150k | 274 | 27.4% |
| 150k+ | 140 | 30.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 776 | 29.3% |
| Petrol | 235 | 29.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 371 | 30.5% |
| 2022 | 250 | 29.2% |
| 2023 | 192 | 31.3% |
| 2024 | 119 | 26.9% |
| 2025 | 79 | 24.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Espace
On a 2005 Espace, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.9% 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.
- Brakes (12.4% 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.
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 2005 Renault Espaces pass their MOT?
70.6% of the 1,011 2005 Renault Espace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Renault Espace?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.4% of tests, followed by suspension (14.9%).
Does the 2005 Espace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 36.8% in the 30-60k band to 30.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,011 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.