2018 Renault Zoe MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 65.8% of Renault Zoes first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 5,462 Zoe first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, tyres and lamps and electrical equipment.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Renault Zoes 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 Zoe MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Zoes 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 Zoe figure was 15.1 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 Zoe | All cars first used 2018 | Zoe first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 84.7% | 87.6% | 1,850 |
| 2022 | 77.8% | 86.3% | 1,840 |
| 2023 | 71.1% | 84.2% | 1,849 |
| 2024 | 64.2% | 82.5% | 1,822 |
| 2025 | 65.8% | 80.9% | 1,791 |
Common 2018 Renault Zoe MOT failures
Share of the 1,800 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 36.4% | 655 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 9.9% | 179 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 8.6% | 154 |
| Stop lamp: not working | 8.0% | 144 |
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn | 7.9% | 143 |
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 Zoe in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
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 Zoe 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.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
Common 2018 Renault Zoe MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 Zoes, as a share of all 5,462 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 15.3% | 836 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 14.8% | 810 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 8.4% | 457 |
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play | 5.1% | 278 |
| Ball joint: has slight play | 5.0% | 275 |
Questions about the 2018 Renault Zoe MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 Renault Zoe?
In 2025, 65.8% of Zoes 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 Zoe most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 51.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), tyres (31.4%) and lamps and electrical equipment (29.7%). The single most common item was “Ball joint: excessively worn” (36.4%).
How often does a 2018 Renault Zoe fail its MOT?
In 2025, 34.2% of first tests on Zoes first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 30.1% failed, and a further 4.1% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,800 of 5,462 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 Renault Zoe MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 15.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (14.8%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (8.4%), “Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play” (5.1%) and “Ball joint: has slight play” (5.0%).
Is a 2018 Renault Zoe 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 84.7% in 2021 to 65.8% 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 Zoe?
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