2015 Renault Trafic — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 72,208 MOT tests, the 2015 Renault Trafic recorded a 74.1% pass rate. Vans of a similar age fail 21.3% of the time, so this is 4.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, steering and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 15.6% of tests against 10.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, coil spring and linkage ball joints — track rod end alone was recorded 9,552 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 27.0% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 22.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 22.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.6% | 11,265 |
| 2 | Steering | 10.8% | 7,765 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 8.2% | 5,953 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.7% | 4,123 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.6% | 3,314 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.3% | 2,392 |
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 | 9,552 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 4,924 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joints | 4,662 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 2,907 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 2,381 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 2,358 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 22.4% | 16,152 |
| 2 | Tyres | 22.2% | 16,026 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.0% | 15,901 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 9,375 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.4% | 6,049 |
| 6 | Steering | 7.3% | 5,248 |
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 | 1,575 | 17.0% |
| 30-60k | 10,511 | 19.8% |
| 60-90k | 20,524 | 25.8% |
| 90-120k | 18,956 | 28.1% |
| 120-150k | 11,658 | 28.4% |
| 150k+ | 8,724 | 27.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,483 | 22.7% |
| 2022 | 14,737 | 25.1% |
| 2023 | 14,708 | 26.6% |
| 2024 | 14,427 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 13,853 | 27.7% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Trafic
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 15.6% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (15.6% 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.
- Steering (10.8% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Lighting & signalling (8.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2015 Renault Trafics pass their MOT?
74.1% of the 72,208 2015 Renault Trafic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Renault Trafic?
Suspension, recorded in 15.6% of tests, followed by steering (10.8%).
Does the 2015 Trafic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.0% in the 0-30k band to 27.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 72,208 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.