2017 Renault Trafic — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 57,718 MOT tests analysed for the 2017 Renault Trafic, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and steering. Its pass rate of 78.2% was below the average for vans of a similar age (82.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 24.9% in the 150k+ group versus 11.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 11.9% | 6,859 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 7.5% | 4,312 |
| 3 | Steering | 6.1% | 3,512 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 2,930 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.9% | 2,820 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.1% | 2,363 |
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 | 4,219 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 2,727 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joints | 2,604 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 2,437 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 2,229 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 2,080 |
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 | 20.2% | 11,672 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.3% | 11,117 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.4% | 10,023 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 4,939 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.4% | 4,871 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.3% | 3,638 |
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 | 4,631 | 11.3% |
| 30-60k | 15,567 | 18.8% |
| 60-90k | 16,369 | 23.6% |
| 90-120k | 11,250 | 25.0% |
| 120-150k | 5,616 | 24.9% |
| 150k+ | 4,143 | 24.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,243 | 17.4% |
| 2022 | 11,497 | 19.9% |
| 2023 | 11,774 | 22.8% |
| 2024 | 11,681 | 23.9% |
| 2025 | 11,523 | 25.0% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Trafic
Before buying a 2017 Renault Trafic, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 11.9% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (11.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (7.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (6.1% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
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 2017 Renault Trafics pass their MOT?
78.2% of the 57,718 2017 Renault Trafic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Renault Trafic?
Suspension, recorded in 11.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (7.5%).
Does the 2017 Trafic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.3% in the 0-30k band to 24.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 57,718 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.