2003 Renault Trafic — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Renault Trafic passed 66.6% of its 11,764 recorded MOT tests. Against vans of a similar age (30.0% fail rate), the 2003 Trafic comes out 3.4pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (21.5%) and suspension (19.4%) 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 1,165 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 29.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 33.8% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 42.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.5% | 2,533 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.4% | 2,286 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.3% | 2,038 |
| 4 | Visibility | 10.9% | 1,283 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 1,058 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.8% | 1,038 |
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 | 1,165 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,027 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 990 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 987 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 982 |
| 6 | Washers | 963 |
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 | 42.6% | 5,016 |
| 2 | Suspension | 39.0% | 4,590 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 26.5% | 3,116 |
| 4 | Tyres | 24.9% | 2,928 |
| 5 | Other defects | 24.5% | 2,886 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 1,857 |
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 | 71 | 29.6% |
| 30-60k | 135 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 739 | 30.0% |
| 90-120k | 1,795 | 34.0% |
| 120-150k | 2,995 | 33.4% |
| 150k+ | 5,940 | 33.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 11,665 | 33.4% |
| Petrol | 99 | 22.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,148 | 33.8% |
| 2022 | 2,781 | 34.1% |
| 2023 | 2,333 | 32.9% |
| 2024 | 1,924 | 32.4% |
| 2025 | 1,578 | 33.0% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Trafic
On a 2003 Trafic, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (19.4% 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 (17.3% 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.
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 Trafics pass their MOT?
66.6% of the 11,764 2003 Renault Trafic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Renault Trafic?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.5% of tests, followed by suspension (19.4%).
Does the 2003 Trafic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.6% in the 0-30k band to 33.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,764 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.