Renault Ll29 100 MOT pass rate & common failures
The Renault Ll29 100 appears in 2,159 MOT tests spanning model years 2002–2012, and 68.7% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.5% of the time, so this is 3.8pp worse than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.7% of tests against 18.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, position lamp and headlamp aim — ball joint alone was recorded 243 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the Ll29 100 fails 29.8% of the time in the 60-90k band and 31.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.1 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 36.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 31.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 32.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Ll29 100 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 146 | 72.6% | 27.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2003 | 426 | 68.5% | 31.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2004 | 466 | 66.3% | 33.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2005 | 567 | 70.0% | 30.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2006 | 553 | 68.3% | 31.6% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.7% | 490 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.7% | 403 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.5% | 335 |
| 4 | Visibility | 9.7% | 209 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.4% | 181 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.7% | 144 |
| 7 | Tyres | 5.1% | 109 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.8% | 81 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 243 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 185 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 181 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 177 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 163 |
| 6 | Washers | 134 |
| 7 | Stop lamp | 125 |
| 8 | Headlamp | 121 |
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 | 36.0% | 778 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.2% | 739 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 27.1% | 584 |
| 4 | Other defects | 23.8% | 513 |
| 5 | Tyres | 22.5% | 486 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 324 |
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 | 121 | 29.8% |
| 90-120k | 312 | 30.4% |
| 120-150k | 552 | 30.8% |
| 150k+ | 1,150 | 31.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 551 | 31.2% |
| 2022 | 511 | 32.7% |
| 2023 | 442 | 30.1% |
| 2024 | 354 | 29.7% |
| 2025 | 301 | 32.9% |
What to check before buying a Renault Ll29 100
- Lighting & signalling (22.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (18.7% 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.
- Brakes (15.5% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Renault Ll29 100?
68.7% of the 2,159 Renault Ll29 100 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 31.3% fail rate, across model years 2002–2012.
What does the Renault Ll29 100 most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.7% of tests, then suspension (18.7%).
How much does mileage affect Ll29 100 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 29.8% for cars in the 60-90k band and 31.8% for 150k+, a 2.1-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,159 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.