Renault Trafic Reliability and Common Problems
What the Renault Trafic fails its MOT on, with rough repair costs, and its MOT pass rate for each model year. Based on 199,425 MOT tests across 29 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: family car | Fuel: Diesel, Petrol
73%
Renault Trafic pass rate
80%
Renault average
82%
All-model average
The Renault Trafic has an average MOT pass rate of 73%, which is 7 points below the Renault average and 9 points below the average across all models in our data. Newer Renault Trafics pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 4 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.
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What the Renault Trafic Fails Its MOT On
Of the 39,903 MOT tests on the Renault Trafic that failed at the first attempt in 2025, the share that failed on each part of the test, next to the share for all cars and vans of the same ages. A test that failed on two areas counts in both.
Suspension
49%Cars and vans the same age: 33% (the Trafic fails on this more often) · Typical repair £150-£600
Lights and electrics
43%Cars and vans the same age: 38% · Typical repair £15-£200
Brakes
31%Cars and vans the same age: 23% (the Trafic fails on this more often) · Typical repair £80-£450
Steering
29%Cars and vans the same age: 7.4% (the Trafic fails on this more often) · Typical repair £100-£500
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors
16%Cars and vans the same age: 15% · Typical repair £10-£350
The 3 single faults it failed on most
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play (24% of failed tests, steering)
- Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (12% of failed tests, suspension)
- Position lamp: not working (11% of failed tests, lights and electrics)
Source: CarCostCheck analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results and failure items for 2025: first attempt at each MOT, fail and pass-after-repair defects, DVSA's defect categories (names shortened). Repair costs are rough UK ranges, not quotes. Method and national figures: MOT failure reasons 2025.
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Renault Trafic Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, from DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024 (retests included). Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger. Highest and lowest are marked among years with 100+ tests that were at least three years old when tested. Fuel and engine size are a guide only.
| Year | Fuel | Engine | Pass Rate | Fail Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Diesel | 1.6L | 82% | 17% |
| 2019 | Diesel | 1.6L | 81% | 18% |
| 2018 | Diesel | 1.6L | 79% | 20% |
| 2017 | Diesel | 1.6L | 77% | 23% |
| 2016 | Diesel | 1.6L | 75% | 24% |
| 2015 | Diesel | 2.0L | 74% | 26% |
| 2014 | Diesel | 2.0L | 72% | 28% |
| 2013 | Diesel | 2.0L | 71% | 28% |
| 2012 | Diesel | 2.0L | 70% | 30% |
| 2011 | Diesel | 2.0L | 68% | 31% |
| 2010 | Diesel | 2.0L | 69% | 31% |
| 2009 | Diesel | 2.0L | 69% | 30% |
| 2008 | Diesel | 2.0L | 68% | 31% |
| 2007 | Diesel | 2.0L | 69% | 30% |
| 2006 | Diesel | 2.0L | 68% | 31% |
| 2005 | Diesel | 1.9L | 68% | 31% |
| 2004 | Diesel | 1.9L | 67% | 32% |
| 2003 | Diesel | 1.9L | 68% | 31% |
| 2002 | Diesel | 1.9L | 94% | 6% |
| 2001 | Diesel | 1.9L | 72% | 28% |
| 1998 | Diesel | 1.9L | 72% | 22% |
| 1997 | Petrol | 2.5L | 68% | 30% |
| 1996 | Petrol | 2.2L | 71% | 25% |
| 1995 | Petrol | 2.2L | 70% | 29% |
| 1994 | Diesel | 2.1L | 65% | 33% |
| 1993 | Diesel | 2.5L | 64% | 34% |
| 1992 | Diesel | 2.0L | 63% | 34% |
| 1991 | Petrol | 1.7L | 59% | 38% |
| 1990 | Petrol | 1.7L | 64% | 33% |
Renault Trafic Running Costs
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Renault Trafic FAQ
What are the most common Renault Trafic problems?
In 2025, MOT tests on the Renault Trafic that failed at the first attempt most often failed on suspension (49% of the 39,903 failed tests), lights and electrics (43%) and brakes (31%). The single most common fault was "Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play" (24%). Across 199,425 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 73% ended in a pass.
Is the Renault Trafic reliable?
The Renault Trafic has an average MOT pass rate of 73%, from 199,425 MOT tests. That is 9 points below the average across all models in our data (82%), so budget for potential repairs. Pass rates fall as cars age, so compare it with cars of a similar age.
Which year Renault Trafic is the most reliable?
Of the years with at least 100 tests that were old enough for a routine MOT, the 2002 Renault Trafic has the highest MOT pass rate: 94% of its 5,279 tests ended in a pass. The 1991 has the lowest at 59%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so the pass rate is only part of the picture.
How much does it cost to fix common Renault Trafic faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on a Renault Trafic typically costs £80-£450 and suspension repairs £150-£600, while exhaust and emissions fixes can cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
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Other Renault Models
Common problems pages for other Renault models