Used buying checklist
Renault Espace reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Renault Espace looks worse than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 30.0% of 2,439 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
Start with suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 30.0% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 118,666 miles
- 733 failed MOT tests analysed
Suspension and steering is the clearest area to check
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (53.6 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include across an axle, ball joint excessively worn, and ball joint has excessive play.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- across an axle
- ball joint excessively worn
- ball joint has excessive play
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)
- prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength
- excessively corroded
- corroded and seriously weakened
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
- has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced
- inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
Focus on suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical
The model's recorded failure rate is 30.0%, +11.3 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed2,439 tests
- Median tested mileage118,666 miles
- Failed MOT tests733
Should you buy a used Renault Espace?
70.0% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 30.0%, +11.3 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical
- suspension and steering appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "across an axle"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
Start with suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (53.6 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Renault Espace, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
The MOT failure rate rises from 14.3% at 6-10 years to 29.3% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (53.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (41.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (25.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (18.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (9.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Renault Espace, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (53.6 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Renault Espace mainly involve 6 areas: emissions, engine, and exhaust, brakes, mixed recall notices, and lights and electrical. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Renault Espace, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 77 | 59 | 26.0%+15.1 percentage points vs all models | 38,763 miles |
| 50-100k | 682 | 496 | 27.9%+7.1 percentage points vs all models | 83,499 miles |
| 100-150k | 1,094 | 758 | 31.8%+5.6 percentage points vs all models | 123,507 miles |
| 150-200k | 441 | 315 | 31.3%+4.0 percentage points vs all models | 164,940 miles |
| 200k+ | 117 | 86 | 27.4%+0.8 percentage points vs all models | 220,897 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Renault Espace, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 14.3% at 6-10 years to 29.3% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 32.1% for 10-15 years cars, based on 714 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
7 | 6 | 14.3%-2.3 percentage points vs all models | 7.0 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
714 | 486 | 32.1%+8.5 percentage points vs all models | 13.4 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
1,718 | 1,225 | 29.3%+3.4 percentage points vs all models | 17.1 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2005-04-29 | POTENTIAL OF AN ODOUR AND SMOKE EMISSION FROM THE DASHBOARD Potential of an odour and smoke emission from the dashboard Affected vehicles will have a resistor removed from the wiring circuit |
|---|---|
| 2004-02-20 | POTENTIAL EMISSION OF SMOKE FROM DASHBOARD VENT INTO THE CABIN Potential smell and emission of smoke from the dashboard vents Recall affected vehicles for reprogramming and configuration of the air conditioning software |
| 2004-02-20 | POSSIBILITY OF EMISSION FROM THE DASHBOARD VENTS INTO THE CABIN Potential smell and emission of smoke from the dashboard vents Recall affected vehicles for reprogramming and configuration of the air conditioning software |
| 2003-07-18 | POTENTIAL LACK OF HANDBRAKE EFFICIENCY It is possible that the handbrake may not be fully effective when the vehicle is parked. Reprogramme the parking brake computer software. |
| 2002-09-23 | POSSIBLE LOSS OF SPARE WHEEL The spare wheel winch cable may seize or break and allow the wheel to fall onto the road. Fit a modified spare wheel support cross member and winch unit. |
| 2002-07-15 | POSSIBLE UNSCHEDULED DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG The air bag control electrical wiring attached to the drivers swivelling seat may become damaged and cause unscheduled deployment of the drivers' air bag. Examine wiring for damage and re-route and secure as necessary |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Renault Espace. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Renault reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.