Used car guide

2009 Renault Espace: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Renault Espace first registered in 2009: we looked at the 375 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 375 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

375MOTs of 2009 cars, done in 2023–2025
48%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 59%)
8,000typical miles a year
3.5×the usual rate for track rod ends

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Renault Espace?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Renault Espace than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Track rod ends3.5× usual
    Renault Espace
    17.1% All 2009 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.5%, against 2.4% of all 2009 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
    Renault Espace
    12.8% All 2009 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.6× usual
    Renault Espace
    8% All 2009 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 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.

Common 2009 Renault Espace MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Renault Espace MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    40% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    38% 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.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • 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.

  • Steering
    10% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Renault Espace

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 3.5× as often on the 2009 Renault Espace as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2009 Renault Espace as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2009 Renault Espace 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%
2008611Suspension 52%
2007940Suspension 57%
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 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score