2012 Renault Trafic — MOT failures & pass rate
32,369 MOT tests on the 2012 Renault Trafic are in this dataset, and 69.5% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 25.6% of the time, so this is 4.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.2% of all tests — 3.0 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, position lamp and ball joint — track rod end alone was recorded 3,717 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.4% in the 0-30k band and 31.2% in the 150k+ band, a 14.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 35.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 6,212 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.2% | 5,230 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.3% | 3,981 |
| 4 | Steering | 10.3% | 3,320 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.8% | 2,198 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 1,978 |
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 | 3,717 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,729 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 2,644 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,025 |
| 5 | Joints | 1,749 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 1,639 |
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 | 35.4% | 11,452 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.2% | 8,147 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.6% | 7,300 |
| 4 | Other defects | 13.3% | 4,296 |
| 5 | Visibility | 11.0% | 3,550 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.6% | 3,095 |
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 | 440 | 16.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,706 | 25.1% |
| 60-90k | 4,583 | 29.6% |
| 90-120k | 7,501 | 30.5% |
| 120-150k | 7,548 | 31.9% |
| 150k+ | 10,541 | 31.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 32,292 | 30.5% |
| Petrol | 77 | 32.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,867 | 29.7% |
| 2022 | 6,758 | 30.0% |
| 2023 | 6,548 | 30.4% |
| 2024 | 6,289 | 31.4% |
| 2025 | 5,907 | 31.0% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Trafic
On a 2012 Trafic, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.2% 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 (12.3% 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 2012 Renault Trafics pass their MOT?
69.5% of the 32,369 2012 Renault Trafic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Renault Trafic?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests, followed by suspension (16.2%).
Does the 2012 Trafic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.4% in the 0-30k band to 31.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 32,369 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.