Know Your MOT
26.0%fail rate

Renault Dropside common MOT failures and failure rate

What a Renault Dropside fails its MOT on, from real DVSA test data, and the part that resolves each item.

Based on 73 MOT tests in DVSA data.

About 26.0% of MOT tests recorded on the Renault Dropside in DVSA data end in a failure. The same handful of items account for most of them.

Its most common failure is brakes, which makes up 63.2% of the Renault Dropside's failures, followed by brakes, lamps & electrical, other, steering. Each item below links to the part that resolves it. Confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying, and have safety-critical work done by a competent mechanic.

What it fails on, and why

Brakes63.2% of failures

Brake failures cover worn pads and discs, an imbalance between wheels, corroded or scored discs, or a binding caliper. Braking efficiency is measured on a rolling road, so a spongy or pulling brake shows up as a low reading.

Lamps & electrical57.9% of failures

Lighting is the single most common MOT failure and the cheapest to put right. A blown headlight, brake-light or number-plate bulb, a cracked lens, or a headlamp beam that points too high or low will all fail. Most are a two-minute bulb swap.

Other21.1% of failures

This covers a range of smaller items, from a non-working horn to a warning light left on.

Steering21.1% of failures

Steering faults are typically worn track-rod ends or ball joints, play in the rack, or a split gaiter letting grease out and dirt in. Excessive free play at the wheel fails.

Tyres21.1% of failures

Tyres fail for tread below the 1.6mm legal limit across the central three-quarters, uneven or exposed-cord wear, or sidewall damage. The tester inspects all four; a single illegal tyre is a fail.

Suspension15.8% of failures

Suspension failures usually mean a worn or snapped coil spring, a leaking shock absorber, or play in a lower arm ball joint or bush. The tester checks for corrosion, fractures and excessive movement. A broken front spring is one of the most common failures on higher-mileage cars and is a straightforward replacement.

The parts that fix each

If your car has just failed, you have 10 working days to fix the items and get a free partial retest. These are the usual parts; confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying.

For the brakes failure: Renault Dropside brake pads and discsSearch Amazon for Renault Dropside brake pads and discsaffiliate searchFind Renault Dropside brake pads and discs on eBayaffiliate
For the lamps & electrical failure: Renault Dropside headlight and indicator bulbsSearch Amazon for Renault Dropside headlight and indicator bulbsaffiliate searchFind Renault Dropside headlight and indicator bulbs on eBayaffiliate
For the steering failure: Renault Dropside steering track rod endsSearch Amazon for Renault Dropside steering track rod endsaffiliate searchFind Renault Dropside steering track rod ends on eBayaffiliate
For the tyres failure: Renault Dropside tyresSearch Amazon for Renault Dropside tyresaffiliate searchFind Renault Dropside tyres on eBayaffiliate
For the suspension failure: Renault Dropside suspension springs and shock absorbersSearch Amazon for Renault Dropside suspension springs and shock absorbersaffiliate searchFind Renault Dropside suspension springs and shock absorbers on eBayaffiliate

Other models

Renault Clio MOT failures32.9% failure rateRenault Megane MOT failures32.7% failure rateRenault Laguna MOT failures35.4% failure rateFord Fiesta MOT failures27.1% failure rate

Sources: DVSA MOT History API: MOT test results and defect data ยท DVSA MOT testing data for Great Britain