Renault Espace Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Renault Espace car check
Is the Renault Espace reliable? We analysed 469,246 real MOT tests across 52,820 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Renault Espace? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Renault Espace is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively and track rod end ball joint has excessive play. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Renault Espace.
Renault Espace Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Renault Espace. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Renault Espace MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Renault Espace to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Renault Espace Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Renault Espace fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Renault Espace Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Renault Espace owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Renault Espace MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Renault Espace year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 410 | 69.5% | 59,106 | 85,290 | 117,052 |
| 2011 | 1,836 | 70.4% | 57,786 | 85,032 | 114,291 |
| 2010 | 2,993 | 69.1% | 56,632 | 83,983 | 120,907 |
| 2009 | 3,939 | 67.6% | 55,631 | 84,290 | 115,882 |
| 2008 | 8,305 | 66.9% | 58,902 | 88,044 | 120,969 |
| 2007 | 17,221 | 66.1% | 57,395 | 86,674 | 119,836 |
| 2006 | 17,082 | 67.0% | 55,270 | 81,002 | 108,388 |
| 2005 | 28,434 | 67.4% | 53,546 | 77,648 | 103,550 |
| 2004 | 38,927 | 67.3% | 48,247 | 72,039 | 97,591 |
| 2003 | 39,792 | 67.2% | 46,744 | 69,778 | 94,998 |
| 2002 | 45,412 | 65.6% | 54,744 | 76,936 | 101,325 |
| 2001 | 32,297 | 64.8% | 63,080 | 84,624 | 108,714 |
| 2000 | 32,261 | 64.1% | 69,894 | 91,926 | 116,724 |
| 1999 | 32,641 | 64.7% | 80,423 | 101,864 | 125,602 |
| 1998 | 28,548 | 64.0% | 87,156 | 110,776 | 136,613 |
| 1997 | 13,889 | 63.3% | 99,622 | 123,679 | 149,178 |
| 1996 | 18,068 | 62.8% | 98,396 | 121,931 | 149,904 |
| 1995 | 30,314 | 62.6% | 103,322 | 127,840 | 154,725 |
| 1994 | 33,154 | 62.6% | 112,262 | 137,507 | 165,090 |
| 1993 | 22,375 | 61.7% | 113,796 | 136,715 | 162,922 |
How Long Does a Renault Espace Last?
Based on 52,820 Renault Espace vehicles on UK roads.
Renault Espace Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Renault Espace MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Renault Espace
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
70.4% MOT pass rate from 1,836 tests
57.6% MOT pass rate from 340 tests
The best year to buy a used Renault Espace is 2011, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 70.4% across 1,836 tests. The 1986 model year has the lowest pass rate at 57.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Renault Espace Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renault Espace THIS CAR | 64.8% | 469,246 | 98,020 mi | 37 yrs |
| Renault Clio | 67.1% | 14,729,048 | 62,807 mi | 33 yrs |
| Renault Megane | 67.3% | 7,306,346 | 70,453 mi | 30 yrs |
| Renault Laguna | 64.6% | 2,783,232 | 89,257 mi | 32 yrs |
| Saab 9-5 | 74.3% | 735,114 | 97,615 mi | 29 yrs |
Compared to the Renault Clio (67.1% pass rate) and the Renault Megane (67.3% pass rate), the Renault Espace trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Renault Espace you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Renault EspaceShould you buy a used Renault Espace?
The Renault Espace has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.8% across 469,246 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Renault Espace are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (29,077 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (19,838), and track rod end ball joint has excessive play (19,467). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Renault Espace owner drives around 6,944 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Renault Espace models stay on UK roads for around 37 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.