1997 · 27 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1997 Renault Trafic MOT pass rate and common faults

117 MOT tests in 2024. 53.8% passed first time, compared with 65.5% for all cars the same age.

82Well below average
Passed first time53.8%
Failed or needed repairs46.2%
Typical mileage at test68,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 117 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt11.1%
  2. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength7.7%
  3. Rear fog lamp: not working6.8%
  4. Emissions not tested: unable to be completed6.0%
  5. Individual direction indicators: not working5.1%
  6. Service brake imbalance: across an axle5.1%
  7. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps4.3%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively4.3%
  9. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.4%
  10. Side repeaters: not working3.4%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics56.4%
  2. Brakes21.4%
  3. Suspension19.7%
  4. Emissions & leaks17.9%
  5. Steering16.2%
  6. Body & chassis14.5%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.1%
  8. Seat belts & airbags3.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine17.9%
  2. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)12.8%
  3. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases12.0%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.3%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 Renault Trafic?

In 2024, 53.8% of 1997 Renault Trafic cars passed their MOT first time, across 117 tests. The average for all 27-year-old cars was 65.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1997 Renault Trafic?

The most common failure reasons were steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; rear fog lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1997 Renault Trafic reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 82, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).