Renault G MOT pass rate & common failures
6,400 MOT tests on the Renault G (2011–2015) give it a 72.4% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 18.1% of the time, so this is 9.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests against 11.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are joints, stop lamp and coil spring — joints alone was recorded 625 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the G fails 26.8% of the time in the 0-30k band and 27.1% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.3 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 29.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 25.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every G model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 710 | 72.0% | 28.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2014 | 4,954 | 72.1% | 27.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2015 | 716 | 75.4% | 24.6% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 1,015 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.7% | 746 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 547 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.6% | 358 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.6% | 356 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.9% | 316 |
| 7 | Steering | 4.9% | 311 |
| 8 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 94 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 625 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 568 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 470 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 337 |
| 5 | Wipers | 278 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 246 |
| 7 | Ball joint | 236 |
| 8 | Brake pads | 222 |
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 | 29.8% | 1,905 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.6% | 1,895 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.6% | 1,126 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.2% | 715 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 664 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.5% | 287 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 112 | 26.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,378 | 23.7% |
| 60-90k | 2,624 | 27.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,558 | 30.9% |
| 120-150k | 519 | 30.3% |
| 150k+ | 203 | 27.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,467 | 25.7% |
| 2022 | 1,336 | 25.4% |
| 2023 | 1,331 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 1,165 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 1,101 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a Renault G
- Lighting & signalling (15.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.7% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (8.6% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Renault G?
72.4% of the 6,400 Renault G MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 27.6% fail rate, across model years 2011–2015.
What does the Renault G most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests, then suspension (11.7%).
How much does mileage affect G MOT results?
Fail rates run at 26.8% for cars in the 0-30k band and 27.1% for 150k+, a 0.3-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,400 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.