2011 Renault Trafic — MOT failures & pass rate
46,241 MOT tests on the 2011 Renault Trafic are in this dataset, and 67.4% of them passed. Against vans of a similar age (26.6% fail rate), the 2011 Trafic comes out 6.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (19.6%) and suspension (18.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, ball joint and position lamp — track rod end alone was recorded 4,857 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.8% versus 23.0%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 36.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.6% | 9,057 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.4% | 8,491 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.9% | 6,892 |
| 4 | Steering | 9.6% | 4,456 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.1% | 3,273 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.7% | 3,102 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 4,857 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 4,661 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 3,660 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 3,320 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 3,249 |
| 6 | Joints | 2,679 |
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 | 36.9% | 17,074 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.5% | 11,803 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.0% | 10,654 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.6% | 5,833 |
| 5 | Visibility | 11.0% | 5,094 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.3% | 4,761 |
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 | 435 | 23.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,774 | 26.0% |
| 60-90k | 5,986 | 31.0% |
| 90-120k | 10,422 | 33.3% |
| 120-150k | 11,476 | 33.8% |
| 150k+ | 16,023 | 32.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 46,194 | 32.6% |
| Petrol | 47 | 36.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,151 | 32.3% |
| 2022 | 9,825 | 32.1% |
| 2023 | 9,462 | 32.8% |
| 2024 | 8,723 | 32.8% |
| 2025 | 8,080 | 33.0% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Trafic
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (18.4% 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 (14.9% 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 2011 Renault Trafics pass their MOT?
67.4% of the 46,241 2011 Renault Trafic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Renault Trafic?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.6% of tests, followed by suspension (18.4%).
Does the 2011 Trafic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.0% in the 0-30k band to 32.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 46,241 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.