2009 Renault Espace — MOT failures & pass rate
1,002 MOT tests on the 2009 Renault Espace are in this dataset, and 67.6% of them passed. That is 5.4 percentage points worse than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 27.0%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (16.9%) and lighting & signalling (16.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, coil spring and headlamp aim — track rod end alone was recorded 104 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 21.1% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 32.1% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.4% in 2021 to 30.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.9% | 169 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 161 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.6% | 126 |
| 4 | Steering | 9.6% | 96 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.0% | 60 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 53 |
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 | 104 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 74 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 71 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 67 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 59 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 48 |
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 | 30.4% | 305 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.7% | 288 |
| 3 | Suspension | 25.3% | 253 |
| 4 | Other defects | 19.8% | 198 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 159 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 98 |
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 | 57 | 21.1% |
| 60-90k | 173 | 27.2% |
| 90-120k | 303 | 35.3% |
| 120-150k | 307 | 34.5% |
| 150k+ | 159 | 32.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 943 | 32.5% |
| Petrol | 59 | 32.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 256 | 32.4% |
| 2022 | 217 | 33.6% |
| 2023 | 213 | 32.9% |
| 2024 | 176 | 32.4% |
| 2025 | 140 | 30.0% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Espace
On a 2009 Espace, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (16.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (16.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.6% 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 2009 Renault Espaces pass their MOT?
67.6% of the 1,002 2009 Renault Espace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Renault Espace?
Suspension, recorded in 16.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (16.1%).
Does the 2009 Espace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.1% in the 30-60k band to 32.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,002 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.