2008 Renault Espace — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,619 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Renault Espace, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 69.6% was below the average for cars of a similar age (75.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 33.4% in the 150k+ group versus 17.6% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.2% | 263 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.8% | 239 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.5% | 203 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.4% | 120 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 115 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.7% | 92 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 128 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 126 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 112 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 109 |
| 5 | Joints | 106 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 95 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 32.9% | 532 |
| 2 | Tyres | 32.1% | 519 |
| 3 | Suspension | 29.3% | 475 |
| 4 | Other defects | 25.8% | 417 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 261 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.0% | 146 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 34 | 17.6% |
| 60-90k | 223 | 25.6% |
| 90-120k | 458 | 28.6% |
| 120-150k | 517 | 32.7% |
| 150k+ | 380 | 33.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,441 | 30.3% |
| Petrol | 178 | 31.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 404 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 374 | 29.4% |
| 2023 | 318 | 29.6% |
| 2024 | 304 | 34.9% |
| 2025 | 219 | 32.0% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Espace
Before buying a 2008 Renault Espace, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (12.5% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2008 Renault Espaces pass their MOT?
69.6% of the 1,619 2008 Renault Espace MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Renault Espace?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.2% of tests, followed by suspension (14.8%).
Does the 2008 Espace get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.6% in the 30-60k band to 33.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,619 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.