2019 Renault Zoe — MOT failures & pass rate
11,111 MOT tests on the 2019 Renault Zoe are in this dataset, and 82.8% of them passed. Against superminis of a similar age (10.1% fail rate), the 2019 Zoe comes out 7.1pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (9.2%) and tyres (7.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, headlamp and linkage ball joints — ball joint alone was recorded 1,039 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 12.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 24.0% once past 90-120k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 28.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.2% | 1,019 |
| 2 | Tyres | 7.0% | 775 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 5.5% | 615 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.7% | 301 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.8% | 200 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.2% | 24 |
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 | 1,039 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 288 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joints | 222 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 197 |
| 5 | Washers | 160 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 153 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 28.9% | 3,214 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.8% | 1,307 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.6% | 951 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.6% | 738 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.1% | 348 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.5% | 167 |
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 | 7,025 | 12.6% |
| 30-60k | 3,533 | 24.7% |
| 60-90k | 496 | 28.0% |
| 90-120k | 50 | 24.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 162 | 6.8% |
| 2022 | 2,593 | 10.4% |
| 2023 | 2,685 | 14.9% |
| 2024 | 2,783 | 20.6% |
| 2025 | 2,888 | 22.8% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Zoe
On a 2019 Zoe, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (9.2% 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.
- Tyres (7.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (5.5% 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 2019 Renault Zoes pass their MOT?
82.8% of the 11,111 2019 Renault Zoe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Renault Zoe?
Suspension, recorded in 9.2% of tests, followed by tyres (7.0%).
Does the 2019 Zoe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.6% in the 0-30k band to 24.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,111 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.