2021 Renault Trafic Sl28 B-Ness — MOT failures & pass rate
5,313 MOT tests on the 2021 Renault Trafic Sl28 B-Ness are in this dataset, and 82.7% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 8.7% of the time, so this is 8.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.3%) and suspension (5.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, shock absorbers and malfunction indicator lamp — brake pads alone was recorded 312 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 27.5% versus 11.9%.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 9.5% of tests failed in 2023 against 18.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.3% | 389 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.8% | 309 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.7% | 305 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.5% | 241 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 183 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 157 |
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 | 312 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 205 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 153 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 148 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 98 |
| 6 | Washers | 93 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.5% | 1,035 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.9% | 953 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.5% | 558 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.7% | 462 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.8% | 362 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.7% | 305 |
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 | 864 | 11.9% |
| 30-60k | 2,275 | 16.0% |
| 60-90k | 1,437 | 19.9% |
| 90-120k | 497 | 21.7% |
| 120-150k | 171 | 25.1% |
| 150k+ | 69 | 27.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 42 | 9.5% |
| 2024 | 2,608 | 16.8% |
| 2025 | 2,661 | 18.0% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Trafic Sl28 B-Ness
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 7.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (7.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.8% 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 (5.7% 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 2021 Renault Trafic Sl28 B-Nesss pass their MOT?
82.7% of the 5,313 2021 Renault Trafic Sl28 B-Ness MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Renault Trafic Sl28 B-Ness?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.3% of tests, followed by suspension (5.8%).
Does the 2021 Trafic Sl28 B-Ness get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.9% in the 0-30k band to 27.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,313 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.