Renault Zoe: what fails at MOT
29,000 MOT tests on the Renault Zoe in 2024, counted. 21.1% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
21.1% of Renault Zoe tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 14.8%, so the Zoe does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (5.9% of tests), suspension (5.9% of tests) and lights and electrics (4.4% of tests). It fails on tyres, suspension and lights and electrics more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,277 | 11.4% | 10.9% | 18,500 12,800 to 26,600 |
| 2020 | 7,853 | 12.4% | 11.5% | 23,500 15,900 to 33,000 |
| 2019 | 3,371 | 26.5% | 13.4% | 26,600 17,300 to 36,900 |
| 2018 | 2,309 | 34.2% | 15.6% | 34,500 24,300 to 47,600 |
| 2017 | 1,477 | 31.5% | 18.2% | 42,700 30,300 to 55,100 |
| 2016 | 2,034 | 34.4% | 21.3% | 37,500 28,100 to 49,200 |
| 2015 | 2,290 | 35.5% | 24.4% | 43,300 32,500 to 56,000 |
| 2014 | 1,061 | 40.6% | 27.7% | 49,400 36,800 to 62,700 |
| 2013 | 426 | 33.3% | 30.6% | 51,200 39,800 to 65,200 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Renault Zoe tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Zoe | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 5.9% | 3.3% | More than most |
| Suspension | 5.9% | 1.6% | More than most |
| Lights and electrics | 4.4% | 2.7% | More than most |
| Brakes | 1.9% | 1.8% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.7% | 2.0% | |
| Steering | 0.3% | 0.4% | |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.3% | 0.2% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre4.7%
- Ball joint4.2%
- Washers1.2%
- Tyre tread1.2%
- Brake light1.2%
- Headlamp1.1%
- Headlamp aim1.0%
- Footbrake0.9%
- Coil spring0.8%
- Linkage ball joints0.8%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Ball joint: excessively worn4.1%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.2%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.7%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.2%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.0%
- Brake light: not working0.9%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.8%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.8%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn0.8%
- Footbrake: excessively binding0.6%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.6%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing6.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.3%
- Ball joint: has slight play2.2%
- Tyre: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.9%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.7%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play1.4%
- Wheel: slightly distorted1.4%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Renault Zoe's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.