Used car guide · 1986–2012

Renault Espace common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Renault Espace, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 3,716 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1997 Renault Espace

Too few Renault Espace cars first registered in 1997 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Renault Espace as a whole.

69on the UK register at the end of 2025
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 1997 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986

What usually goes wrong with a Renault Espace?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Renault Espace in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Renault Espace MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Diesel

  • Steering rack inner joints

    up to 6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007 and 2008.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008.

    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.

  • Coil springs

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007.

    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.

  • Brake pads

    up to 1.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007.

    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.

Renault Espace MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2007 Renault Espace did best (50% passed first time, 7 points below all 2007 cars) and the 2008 did worst (49%, 8 points below all 2008 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201149%62% -13262 (small sample)
201049%60% -11322 (small sample)
200948%59% -11375 (small sample)
200849%57% -8611
200750%57% -7940
200654%56% -2399 (small sample)
200559%57% +2300 (small sample)
200456%57% -1232 (small sample)
200360%57% +3104 (small sample)
200254%58% -4171 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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 steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.7× as often on the Renault Espace as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the Renault Espace as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score