Used car guide

2007 Renault Espace diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Renault Espace first registered in 2007 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 833 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

833MOTs of 2007 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
48%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)
7,600typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for track rod ends

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2007 Renault Espace diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2007 Renault Espace diesel than on all cars registered in 2007.

  • Track rod ends3.3× usual
    Renault Espace
    17.6% All 2007 cars
    5.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.6%, against 2.5% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Coil springs1.9× usual
    Renault Espace
    21% All 2007 cars
    11.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 3.8% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.5× usual
    Renault Espace
    11.5% All 2007 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Ball joint2.3× usual
    Renault Espace
    14.2% All 2007 cars
    6.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.4%, against 3.1% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Brake pads1.8× usual
    Renault Espace
    15.8% All 2007 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2.2% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

Better than most

Headlights: 3.5% here, against 11.3% of all 2007 cars. Exhaust system: 3.4% here, against 8.8% of all 2007 cars.

Common 2007 Renault Espace diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2007 Renault Espace diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    57% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    45% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    42% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    39% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Steering
    15% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    13% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2007 Renault Espace diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2007 Renault Espace diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2007 Renault Espace diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2007 Renault Espace diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Renault Espace?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Renault Espace compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2012–Too few tests
2011262Suspension 48%
2010322Suspension 47%
2009375Suspension 48%
2008611Suspension 52%
2006399Suspension 57%
2005300Suspension 53%
2004232Lights and electrics 47%
2003104Suspension 52%
2002171Brakes 49%
2001–Too few tests
2000–Too few tests
1999–Too few tests
1998–Too few tests
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests
1994–Too few tests
1993–Too few tests
1992–Too few tests
1991–Too few tests
1990–Too few tests
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Renault Espace cars first registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score