Renault Zoe MOT pass rate and common problems
76.9% of 19,219 Renault Zoe MOT tests pass.
The Zoe passes its MOT 76.9% of the time — well above the average across all Renault models, which sits at 69.5%.
At 76.9%, the Renault Zoe passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Renault Zoe?
This is the average across every Renault Zoe in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Renault’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Renault Zoe tested at 0–3 years pass 91.2% of the time, compared with just 68.6% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 91.2% | 4,499 | 20,200 miles |
| 3–6 years | 77.0% | 6,187 | 30,150 miles |
| 6–10 years | 69.4% | 7,798 | 44,086 miles |
| 10–15 years | 68.6% | 735 | 54,273 miles |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Renault Zoe
The most common reason the Renault Zoe fails its MOT is suspension — present in 52.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Ball joint excessively worn".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 52.0% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 36.8% | Not working |
| Tyres | 35.8% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Brakes | 14.1% | Excessively binding |
| Visibility | 9.2% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Steering | 2.7% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.5% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.2% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.1% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Road Wheels | 0.7% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Renault Zoe: what to check
These checks follow the Renault Zoe’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Renault Zoe comes between 0–3 years and 3–6 years old, from 91.2% to 77.0%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 86.5% down to 70.2%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 52.0% of failed Renault Zoe MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 21.1% of tests at 6–10 years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 36.8% of failed Renault Zoe MOTs. 14.6% of tests at 6–10 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.9% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 35.8% of failed Renault Zoe MOTs. 11.5% of tests at 6–10 years failed on tyres, against 5.5% at 0–3 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 14.1% of failed Renault Zoe MOTs. 5.7% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 1.9% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 9.2% of failed Renault Zoe MOTs. 5.2% of tests at 10–15 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.1% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Renault service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Renault models
- Renault Twingo — 67.7% pass rate
- Renault Grand Scenic — 61.5% pass rate
- Renault Master — 71.6% pass rate
- Renault Modus — 57.9% pass rate
- Renault Laguna — 63.0% pass rate
- Renault Zoe I — 90.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Renault Zoe?
- 76.9% of Renault Zoe MOT tests pass, based on 19,219 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Renault Zoe?
- The most common reason the Renault Zoe fails its MOT is suspension — present in 52.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Ball joint excessively worn".
- What are the common problems with the Renault Zoe?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Renault Zoe are suspension; lights and electrics; tyres. Rare on young cars, but 21.1% of tests at 6–10 years failed on suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Renault Zoe?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; lights and electrics; tyres; brakes; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Renault Zoe's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Renault service history guide for how to check and keep one.