2021 Renault Zoe I Play Ze 50 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 261 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Renault Zoe I Play Ze 50, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 88.5% was below the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.8% | 15 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.4% | 14 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 3 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.1% | 3 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.8% | 2 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake discs | 6 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 6 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 5 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 4 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 2 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 2 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.9% | 52 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.5% | 51 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.1% | 16 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 3 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.8% | 2 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.4% | 1 |
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 | 172 | 7.6% |
| 30-60k | 81 | 18.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 115 | 8.7% |
| 2025 | 141 | 14.2% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Zoe I Play Ze 50
Before buying a 2021 Renault Zoe I Play Ze 50, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 5.8% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (5.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (5.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.1% 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 2021 Renault Zoe I Play Ze 50s pass their MOT?
88.5% of the 261 2021 Renault Zoe I Play Ze 50 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Renault Zoe I Play Ze 50?
Tyres, recorded in 5.8% of tests, followed by brakes (5.4%).
Does the 2021 Zoe I Play Ze 50 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.6% in the 0-30k band to 18.5% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 261 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.