2020 Renault Trafic Sl28 — MOT failures & pass rate
3,828 MOT tests on the 2020 Renault Trafic Sl28 are in this dataset, and 85.8% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 9.4% of the time, so this is 4.8pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (5.6%) and lighting & signalling (4.3%) 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 headlamp aim — brake pads alone was recorded 166 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 17.0% versus 7.3%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 22.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 13.1% of tests failed in 2023 against 15.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 5.6% | 214 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 4.3% | 163 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.2% | 160 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.7% | 140 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.7% | 103 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 94 |
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 | 166 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 115 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 99 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 89 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 72 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 53 |
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 | 22.2% | 851 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.6% | 752 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.3% | 356 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.1% | 272 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.8% | 220 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 177 |
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 | 743 | 7.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,589 | 13.9% |
| 60-90k | 923 | 18.4% |
| 90-120k | 394 | 16.8% |
| 120-150k | 120 | 18.3% |
| 150k+ | 59 | 17.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,269 | 13.1% |
| 2024 | 1,271 | 13.9% |
| 2025 | 1,269 | 15.5% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Trafic Sl28
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 5.6% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (5.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (4.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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.
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 Sl28s pass their MOT?
85.8% of the 3,828 2020 Renault Trafic Sl28 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Renault Trafic Sl28?
Suspension, recorded in 5.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (4.3%).
Does the 2020 Trafic Sl28 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.3% in the 0-30k band to 17.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,828 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.