2021 Renault Trafic Business — MOT failures & pass rate
386 MOT tests on the 2021 Renault Trafic Business are in this dataset, and 85.2% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 8.4% of the time, so this is 6.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (4.9%) and brakes (4.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, headlamp aim and washers — brake pads alone was recorded 17 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.9% in the 0-30k band and 26.3% in the 60-90k band, a 15.5-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 14.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 4.9% | 19 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.2% | 16 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.9% | 15 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.4% | 13 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.1% | 12 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.3% | 9 |
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 | 17 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 3 | Washers | 8 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 5 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joints | 5 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 5 |
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 | 14.8% | 57 |
| 2 | Tyres | 10.9% | 42 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.0% | 23 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.4% | 17 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 13 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.1% | 12 |
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 | 175 | 10.9% |
| 30-60k | 125 | 13.6% |
| 60-90k | 38 | 26.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 153 | 14.4% |
| 2025 | 185 | 16.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Trafic Business
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 4.9% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (4.9% 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 (4.2% 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 (3.9% 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 2021 Renault Trafic Businesss pass their MOT?
85.2% of the 386 2021 Renault Trafic Business MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Renault Trafic Business?
Suspension, recorded in 4.9% of tests, followed by brakes (4.2%).
Does the 2021 Trafic Business get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.9% in the 0-30k band to 26.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 386 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.