2011 Renault Espace — MOT failures & pass rate
645 MOT tests on the 2011 Renault Espace are in this dataset, and 69.2% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (24.3% fail rate), the 2011 Espace comes out 6.6pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and steering.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (14.4%) and lighting & signalling (12.1%) 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 ball joint — track rod end alone was recorded 73 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 29.6% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 34.0% once past 150k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 29.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 26.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 35.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.4% | 93 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 78 |
| 3 | Steering | 9.5% | 61 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.3% | 60 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.8% | 31 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 31 |
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 | 73 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 47 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 44 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 43 |
| 5 | Joints | 21 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 17 |
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 | 29.0% | 187 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.8% | 186 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.3% | 131 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 101 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.0% | 84 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 62 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 135 | 29.6% |
| 90-120k | 217 | 27.7% |
| 120-150k | 163 | 35.6% |
| 150k+ | 94 | 34.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 140 | 26.4% |
| 2022 | 134 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 137 | 32.1% |
| 2024 | 126 | 34.9% |
| 2025 | 108 | 35.2% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Espace
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 14.4% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (14.4% 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 (12.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (9.5% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
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 2011 Renault Espaces pass their MOT?
69.2% of the 645 2011 Renault Espace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Renault Espace?
Suspension, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.1%).
Does the 2011 Espace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.6% in the 60-90k band to 34.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 645 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.