2003 Renault Ll29 100 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Renault Ll29 100 passed 68.5% of its 426 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2003 Ll29 100 comes out 3.8pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (21.1%) and suspension (19.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, headlamp aim and track rod end — ball joint alone was recorded 42 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 39.1% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 33.7% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.1% | 90 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.7% | 84 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.0% | 64 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.9% | 38 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.2% | 35 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 34 |
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 | 42 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 39 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 38 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 37 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 30 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 28 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 36.9% | 157 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.6% | 139 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 26.3% | 112 |
| 4 | Other defects | 23.2% | 99 |
| 5 | Tyres | 22.1% | 94 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.1% | 77 |
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 | 46 | 39.1% |
| 90-120k | 59 | 27.1% |
| 120-150k | 124 | 26.6% |
| 150k+ | 181 | 33.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 112 | 30.4% |
| 2022 | 100 | 33.0% |
| 2023 | 88 | 30.7% |
| 2024 | 71 | 33.8% |
| 2025 | 55 | 29.1% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Ll29 100
On a 2003 Ll29 100, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (19.7% 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 (15.0% 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 2003 Renault Ll29 100s pass their MOT?
68.5% of the 426 2003 Renault Ll29 100 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Renault Ll29 100?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.1% of tests, followed by suspension (19.7%).
Does the 2003 Ll29 100 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 39.1% in the 60-90k band to 33.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 426 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.