2008 Renault Grand Espace — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,238 MOT tests, the 2008 Renault Grand Espace recorded a 69.1% pass rate. That is 4.8 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.8%) and suspension (15.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, headlamp aim and position lamp — track rod end alone was recorded 178 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 33.0% versus 23.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 29.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 376 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.5% | 347 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.7% | 262 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.5% | 167 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.2% | 138 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.4% | 121 |
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 | 178 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 157 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 147 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 145 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 143 |
| 6 | Joints | 112 |
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% | 667 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.4% | 659 |
| 3 | Suspension | 28.3% | 634 |
| 4 | Other defects | 22.3% | 499 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 318 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.1% | 203 |
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 | 88 | 23.9% |
| 60-90k | 352 | 30.1% |
| 90-120k | 750 | 30.9% |
| 120-150k | 591 | 30.8% |
| 150k+ | 449 | 33.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,108 | 31.3% |
| Petrol | 130 | 24.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 578 | 30.8% |
| 2022 | 526 | 31.9% |
| 2023 | 450 | 28.9% |
| 2024 | 392 | 31.6% |
| 2025 | 292 | 31.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Grand Espace
On a 2008 Grand Espace, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.5% 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 (11.7% 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 2008 Renault Grand Espaces pass their MOT?
69.1% of the 2,238 2008 Renault Grand Espace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Renault Grand Espace?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.8% of tests, followed by suspension (15.5%).
Does the 2008 Grand Espace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.9% in the 30-60k band to 33.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,238 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.