At a Glance
The Renault Trafic has 45 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the Mk2 (2001-2014) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 1.5M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Renault Trafic common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Renault Trafic generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Help other Renault Trafic owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Browse Renault Trafic Generations
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Most Common Renault Trafic MOT Failures
Every reason Renault Trafic vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 8.75% |
| 2 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 6.66% |
| 3 | Number plate lamp not working | 5.61% |
| 4 | Stop lamp not working | 5.18% |
| 5 | Track rod end worn | 4.95% |
| 6 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.91% |
| 7 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.28% |
| 8 | Brake pads or linings worn | 4.07% |
| 9 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 3.58% |
| 10 | Tyre condition | 3.58% |
| 11 | Front lamp not working | 3.55% |
| 12 | Position lamp not working | 3.42% |
| 13 | Driveshaft fault | 2.79% |
| 14 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 2.30% |
| 15 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.10% |
| 16 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 2.04% |
| 17 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.86% |
| 18 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.83% |
| 19 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.79% |
| 20 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.74% |
| 21 | Headlamp fault | 1.44% |
| 22 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.37% |
| 23 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 1.17% |
| 24 | Exhaust system fault | 1.13% |
| 25 | Steering rack fault | 1.13% |
| 26 | Indicator fault | 1.02% |
| 27 | Fog lamp not working | 0.90% |
| 28 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.89% |
| 29 | Seat belt condition | 0.84% |
| 30 | Horn not working | 0.81% |
| 31 | Rear lamp not working | 0.76% |
| 32 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.74% |
| 33 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.74% |
| 34 | ABS fault | 0.71% |
| 35 | Chassis condition | 0.64% |
| 36 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.63% |
| 37 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.62% |
| 38 | Rear suspension fault | 0.60% |
| 39 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.60% |
| 40 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.57% |
| 41 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.51% |
| 42 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.50% |
| 43 | Airbag warning light on | 0.48% |
| 44 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.46% |
| 45 | Front suspension fault | 0.40% |
| 46 | Parking brake condition | 0.33% |
| 47 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.27% |
| 48 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.26% |
| 49 | Brake pedal fault | 0.25% |
| 50 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.24% |
| 51 | Electrical switch fault | 0.17% |
| 52 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.16% |
| 53 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.16% |
| 54 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.14% |
| 55 | Steering free play excessive | 0.14% |
| 56 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.14% |
| 57 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.13% |
| 58 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.13% |
| 59 | Engine oil leak | 0.12% |
| 60 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.11% |
| 61 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.10% |
| 62 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.10% |
| 63 | Brake caliper fault | 0.10% |
| 64 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.09% |
| 65 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.09% |
| 66 | Drag link end worn | 0.08% |
| 67 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.08% |
| 68 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.08% |
| 69 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.07% |
| 70 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.07% |
| 71 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.07% |
| 72 | Brake lever fault | 0.06% |
| 73 | Steering arm worn | 0.06% |
| 74 | Steering column fault | 0.06% |
| 75 | Front passenger door fault | 0.06% |
| 76 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.06% |
| 77 | Steering operation fault | 0.06% |
| 78 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.05% |
| 79 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.05% |
| 80 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.05% |
| 81 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.05% |
| 82 | Driver seat fault | 0.05% |
| 83 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.05% |
| 84 | Brake fluid leak | 0.05% |
| 85 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.05% |
| 86 | Propshaft fault | 0.04% |
| 87 | Driver door fault | 0.04% |
| 88 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.04% |
| 89 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 90 | Passenger seat fault | 0.03% |
| 91 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 92 | Towbar fault | 0.03% |
| 93 | Power steering pump fault | 0.03% |
| 94 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 95 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 96 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 97 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Steering lock fault | 0.02% |
| 99 | Spare wheel fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 101 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 103 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.02% |
| 104 | Steering coupling worn | 0.02% |
| 105 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 106 | Loading door damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 107 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.01% |
| 108 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 109 | CV joint worn | 0.01% |
| 110 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 111 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.01% |
| 112 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 113 | Window damaged or won't operate | 0.01% |
| 114 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 116 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 121 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 122 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 123 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 126 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 127 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 129 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 131 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 132 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 133 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 136 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 137 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 139 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 142 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 146 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 147 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 151 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 152 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 154 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 157 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 159 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 166 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 168 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 169 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 171 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 173 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 175 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 177 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 179 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 182 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 183 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 184 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 186 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 187 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 188 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 189 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 190 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 191 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 192 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 193 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 194 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 195 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 196 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 197 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 198 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 199 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 200 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 201 | Leaf spring slipper worn | <0.01% |
| 202 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 202 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Renault Trafic MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Renault Trafic, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Renault Trafic problems?
Based on analysis of 1.5M Renault Trafic MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 45 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Track rod end worn". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Renault Trafic generation has the most problems?
The Renault Trafic Mk2 (2001-2014) (2001–2014) has the highest number of identified common problems (45). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Renault Trafic?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Renault Trafic owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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