2020 Renault Trafic Business Energy — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,294 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Renault Trafic Business Energy, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 86.6% was below the average for cars of a similar age (90.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 21.9% in the 90-120k group versus 6.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 4.6% | 59 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.3% | 42 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.9% | 37 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.9% | 37 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.8% | 36 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.2% | 29 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 38 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 25 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 23 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 17 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 16 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 14 |
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 | 13.1% | 170 |
| 2 | Tyres | 12.7% | 164 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.3% | 81 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.6% | 72 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.2% | 67 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.4% | 57 |
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 | 563 | 6.0% |
| 30-60k | 384 | 18.2% |
| 60-90k | 191 | 18.9% |
| 90-120k | 114 | 21.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 42 | 2.4% |
| 2022 | 63 | 12.7% |
| 2023 | 367 | 12.0% |
| 2024 | 411 | 14.4% |
| 2025 | 411 | 14.8% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Trafic Business Energy
Before buying a 2020 Renault Trafic Business Energy, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 4.6% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (4.6% 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 (3.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2020 Renault Trafic Business Energys pass their MOT?
86.6% of the 1,294 2020 Renault Trafic Business Energy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Renault Trafic Business Energy?
Suspension, recorded in 4.6% of tests, followed by brakes (3.3%).
Does the 2020 Trafic Business Energy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.0% in the 0-30k band to 21.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,294 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.