2016 Renault Trafic — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 79,828 MOT tests analysed for the 2016 Renault Trafic, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, steering and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 76.6% was below the average for vans of a similar age (80.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 26.3% in the 150k+ group versus 12.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.0% | 10,338 |
| 2 | Steering | 8.1% | 6,470 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 7.8% | 6,239 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.0% | 4,019 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.4% | 3,478 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.4% | 2,684 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 7,928 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 4,728 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joints | 3,622 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 3,360 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 2,609 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 2,378 |
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 | 21.8% | 17,413 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.7% | 16,511 |
| 3 | Suspension | 18.8% | 15,031 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.5% | 8,379 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.0% | 6,396 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.6% | 5,236 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 3,439 | 12.4% |
| 30-60k | 17,052 | 18.9% |
| 60-90k | 23,235 | 23.5% |
| 90-120k | 18,295 | 26.1% |
| 120-150k | 10,039 | 27.0% |
| 150k+ | 7,630 | 26.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,767 | 19.2% |
| 2022 | 15,938 | 21.7% |
| 2023 | 16,262 | 24.2% |
| 2024 | 16,145 | 25.8% |
| 2025 | 15,716 | 25.8% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Trafic
Before buying a 2016 Renault Trafic, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 13.0% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (13.0% 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.
- Steering (8.1% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Lighting & signalling (7.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2016 Renault Trafics pass their MOT?
76.6% of the 79,828 2016 Renault Trafic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Renault Trafic?
Suspension, recorded in 13.0% of tests, followed by steering (8.1%).
Does the 2016 Trafic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.4% in the 0-30k band to 26.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 79,828 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.