2018 Renault Trafic MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 65.3% of Renault Trafics first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 21,691 Trafic first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, lamps and electrical equipment and noise, emissions and leaks.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Renault Trafics first used in 2018 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2018 Renault Trafic MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Trafics first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Trafic figure was 15.6 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 Trafic | All cars first used 2018 | Trafic first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 77.3% | 87.6% | 7,473 |
| 2022 | 74.3% | 86.3% | 7,491 |
| 2023 | 71.1% | 84.2% | 7,404 |
| 2024 | 67.9% | 82.5% | 7,227 |
| 2025 | 65.3% | 80.9% | 7,060 |
Common 2018 Renault Trafic MOT failures
Share of the 6,910 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | 17.5% | 1,211 |
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn | 12.6% | 869 |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | 12.5% | 866 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | 11.9% | 820 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 10.1% | 695 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Trafic in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Shock absorber replacement | £300 | £200–£500 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2018 Renault Trafic before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Engine and emissions. Worth checking that the engine warning light goes out after starting, looking for oil leaks under the car, and noticing any smoke from the exhaust.
Common 2018 Renault Trafic MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 Trafics, as a share of all 21,691 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 13.3% | 2,884 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 11.4% | 2,469 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 10.1% | 2,193 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 7.5% | 1,630 |
| Ball joint: has slight play | 5.1% | 1,111 |
Questions about the 2018 Renault Trafic MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 Renault Trafic?
In 2025, 65.3% of Trafics first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 Trafic most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 44.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (33.3%) and noise, emissions and leaks (19.9%). The single most common item was “Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play” (17.5%).
How often does a 2018 Renault Trafic fail its MOT?
In 2025, 34.7% of first tests on Trafics first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 29.2% failed, and a further 5.5% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 6,910 of 21,691 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 Renault Trafic MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 13.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (11.4%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (10.1%), “Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (7.5%) and “Ball joint: has slight play” (5.1%).
Is a 2018 Renault Trafic reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 77.3% in 2021 to 65.3% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2018 Trafic?
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