Used car guide

2005 Renault Grand Espace diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Renault Grand Espace first registered in 2005 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 210 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 210 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

210MOTs of 2005 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
58%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 57%)
6,400typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Renault Grand Espace diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Renault Grand Espace diesel than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Engine oil leaks2.2× usual
    Renault Grand Espace
    29.5% All 2005 cars
    13.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Steering rack inner joints4.8× usual
    Renault Grand Espace
    18.1% All 2005 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2005 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.

  • Brake discs2× usual
    Renault Grand Espace
    27.6% All 2005 cars
    13.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.1% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Coil springs2× usual
    Renault Grand Espace
    21% All 2005 cars
    10.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9%, against 3% of all 2005 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.

  • Track rod ends2.5× usual
    Renault Grand Espace
    14.8% All 2005 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10%, against 2.7% of all 2005 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.

Common 2005 Renault Grand Espace diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Renault Grand Espace diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    55% 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
    45% 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
    44% 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
    35% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    30% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Steering
    22% 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 2005 Renault Grand 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 engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2005 Renault Grand Espace diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.8× as often on the 2005 Renault Grand Espace diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2005 Renault Grand 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 Grand 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 Grand Espace compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2012221Suspension 38%
2011681Suspension 49%
2010595Suspension 45%
2009398Suspension 51%
2008833Suspension 49%
2007983Suspension 56%
2006358Suspension 56%
2004178Suspension 48%
2003–Too few tests
2002–Too few tests
2001–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 Grand Espace cars first registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score