2005 Renault Grand Espace — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 853 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Renault Grand Espace, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 69.6% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.1% in the 150k+ group versus 22.2% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.3% | 148 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 145 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.1% | 103 |
| 4 | Steering | 8.8% | 75 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.6% | 48 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.5% | 38 |
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 | 86 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 76 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 70 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 61 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 58 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 37 |
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 | 36.6% | 312 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.1% | 257 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.4% | 251 |
| 4 | Other defects | 27.6% | 235 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 27.2% | 232 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 24.5% | 209 |
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 | 45 | 22.2% |
| 60-90k | 175 | 33.1% |
| 90-120k | 230 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 246 | 32.5% |
| 150k+ | 133 | 30.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 690 | 31.6% |
| Petrol | 163 | 25.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 293 | 31.7% |
| 2022 | 203 | 32.0% |
| 2023 | 160 | 26.9% |
| 2024 | 116 | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 81 | 28.4% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Grand Espace
Before buying a 2005 Renault Grand Espace, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 17.3% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (17.3% 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 (17.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.1% 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 Grand Espaces pass their MOT?
69.6% of the 853 2005 Renault Grand Espace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Renault Grand Espace?
Suspension, recorded in 17.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.0%).
Does the 2005 Grand Espace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.2% in the 30-60k band to 30.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 853 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.