2017 Renault Zoe — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,590 MOT tests analysed for the 2017 Renault Zoe, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, tyres and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 77.5% was below the average for cars of a similar age (87.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.8% in the 90-120k group versus 15.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.5% | 957 |
| 2 | Tyres | 8.5% | 558 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 7.1% | 465 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.6% | 172 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.1% | 142 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.3% | 22 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 1,005 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 212 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 163 |
| 4 | Linkage ball joints | 147 |
| 5 | Individual direction indicators | 129 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 116 |
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 | 30.0% | 1,978 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.8% | 906 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.2% | 802 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.8% | 582 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.0% | 393 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 2.3% | 149 |
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 | 2,295 | 15.6% |
| 30-60k | 3,128 | 25.4% |
| 60-90k | 971 | 28.0% |
| 90-120k | 161 | 29.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,243 | 15.4% |
| 2022 | 1,344 | 22.3% |
| 2023 | 1,352 | 23.5% |
| 2024 | 1,333 | 24.8% |
| 2025 | 1,318 | 25.9% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Zoe
Before buying a 2017 Renault Zoe, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 14.5% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (14.5% 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.
- Tyres (8.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (7.1% 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 2017 Renault Zoes pass their MOT?
77.5% of the 6,590 2017 Renault Zoe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Renault Zoe?
Suspension, recorded in 14.5% of tests, followed by tyres (8.5%).
Does the 2017 Zoe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.6% in the 0-30k band to 29.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,590 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.