2005 Renault Trafic — MOT failures & pass rate
22,990 MOT tests on the 2005 Renault Trafic are in this dataset, and 68.0% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 29.8% of the time, so this is 2.2pp 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 (21.8%) and suspension (19.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, position lamp and track rod end — ball joint alone was recorded 2,772 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.4% versus 24.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 39.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.8% | 5,005 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.5% | 4,481 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.8% | 3,625 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.5% | 1,958 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.5% | 1,948 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 1,444 |
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 | 2,772 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,074 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 1,902 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,871 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 1,791 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 1,244 |
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 | 39.0% | 8,962 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.9% | 8,702 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 26.5% | 6,088 |
| 4 | Tyres | 25.0% | 5,738 |
| 5 | Other defects | 20.1% | 4,612 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 2,943 |
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 | 57 | 24.6% |
| 30-60k | 336 | 23.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,392 | 27.8% |
| 90-120k | 3,583 | 31.6% |
| 120-150k | 5,936 | 32.8% |
| 150k+ | 11,637 | 32.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 22,928 | 32.0% |
| Petrol | 62 | 27.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,904 | 32.4% |
| 2022 | 5,312 | 32.2% |
| 2023 | 4,659 | 31.8% |
| 2024 | 3,905 | 32.3% |
| 2025 | 3,210 | 30.9% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Trafic
On a 2005 Trafic, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (19.5% 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 (15.8% 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 2005 Renault Trafics pass their MOT?
68.0% of the 22,990 2005 Renault Trafic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Renault Trafic?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.8% of tests, followed by suspension (19.5%).
Does the 2005 Trafic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.6% in the 0-30k band to 32.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,990 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.