2007 Renault Espace — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,724 MOT tests, the 2007 Renault Espace recorded a 67.1% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.0% of the time, so this is 3.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.7%) and suspension (16.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, ball joint and headlamp aim — track rod end alone was recorded 219 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 23.3% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 35.3% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 33.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 32.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 34.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.7% | 483 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.7% | 455 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.5% | 396 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.9% | 215 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 188 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.5% | 176 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 219 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 219 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 209 |
| 4 | Joints | 176 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 159 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 147 |
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 | 33.9% | 924 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.9% | 870 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.3% | 826 |
| 4 | Other defects | 21.9% | 598 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.2% | 441 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 263 |
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 | 60 | 23.3% |
| 60-90k | 410 | 28.8% |
| 90-120k | 779 | 32.0% |
| 120-150k | 765 | 34.6% |
| 150k+ | 697 | 35.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,445 | 33.5% |
| Petrol | 279 | 28.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 768 | 32.3% |
| 2022 | 660 | 33.2% |
| 2023 | 532 | 30.4% |
| 2024 | 438 | 35.4% |
| 2025 | 326 | 34.7% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Espace
On a 2007 Espace, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.7% 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 (14.5% 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 2007 Renault Espaces pass their MOT?
67.1% of the 2,724 2007 Renault Espace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Renault Espace?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.7% of tests, followed by suspension (16.7%).
Does the 2007 Espace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.3% in the 30-60k band to 35.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,724 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.