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Renault Master reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 80,019 MOT tests of cars first registered 2000–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
65.9%pass first time
−0.3 ptsvs typical car
Beats 49%of cars
80,019MOT tests

Verdict

The Renault Master passes its MOT first time on 65.9% of tests, about the same as a typical car of the same age and mileage (66.2%). That puts it ahead of 49% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2006 Master does best (beats 67% of cars) and the 2022 worst (beats 2%).

Of its engines, the 2.5 Diesel does best (beats 59%) and the 2.3 Diesel worst (beats 26%).

Better than average on suspension, tyres, emissions & leaks.

Watch these weak spots

Brakes1.5×as often as a typical car
Seat belts & airbags1.4×as often as a typical car
Handbrake performance3.1×as often as a typical car
Steering rack5.7×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

40%50%60%70%80%90%3456789101112131415161718192075%78%73%69%65%62%62%56%52%
Renault MasterTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2000
Beats 26%
2001
Beats 27%
2002
Beats 36%
2003
Beats 61%
2004
Beats 57%
2005
Beats 66%
2006
Beats 67%
2007
Beats 65%
2008
Beats 56%
2009
Beats 57%
2010
Beats 38%
2011
Beats 37%
2012
Beats 30%
2013
Beats 60%
2014
Beats 52%
2015
Beats 29%
2016
Beats 32%
2017
Beats 27%
2018
Beats 43%
2019
Beats 18%
2022
Beats 2%
2023
Beats 2%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel2000–201143,96261.3%Beats 59%C
2.3 Diesel2011–202331,73974.6%Beats 26%D
2.2 Diesel2001–20034,31849.0%Beats 38%D

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 2.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 8.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 17.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 3.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 13.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 9.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 17.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−1.9 ptsTyres: 3.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+3.2 ptsBrakes: 13.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 9.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−4.6 ptsSuspension: 8.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.5 ptsExhaust: 2.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+2.2 ptsSuspension: 8.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 13.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 9.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 3.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 17.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 2.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 17.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−1.9 ptsTyres: 3.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+3.2 ptsBrakes: 13.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 9.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−4.6 ptsSuspension: 8.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 11.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.5 ptsExhaust: 2.0% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+2.2 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Brakes: 13.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 9.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
17.2% vs 15.3%
Brakes
13.8% vs 9.2%
Suspension
8.0% vs 11.5%
Visibility
6.5% vs 5.9%
Body & structure
5.6% vs 4.7%
Tyres
3.7% vs 6.9%
Steering
3.1% vs 2.5%
Seat belts & airbags
2.4% vs 1.7%
Emissions & leaks
2.0% vs 4.1%
Wheels
0.1% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Handbrake performance 3.1× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Brake performance 1.8× typical
    On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal.
  • Suspension ball joints 1.5× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k86%79%73%68%65%62%57%57%
Renault MasterTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Handbrake performance8.8%2.8%3.1×
Headlight aim4.1%4.2%1.0×
Sidelights3.9%3.7%1.1×
Windscreen wipers3.4%2.7%1.2×
Brake lights3.0%2.9%1.0×
Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7%1.8%1.5×
Suspension ball joints2.5%1.6%1.5×
Brake performance2.5%1.4%1.8×
Tyre damage & cracking2.4%3.6%0.7×
Windscreen washers2.4%2.5%1.0×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement49.3
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements40.6
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning35.1
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn33.6
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen33.0
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc27.3
Parking brake inoperative on one side24.1
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen23.7
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Renault Master1 engine73.2% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel1,54773.2%Beats 2%E
2022 Renault Master1 engine72.2% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel4,53672.2%Beats 2%E
2019 Renault Master1 engine79.0% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel1,48879.0%Beats 18%E
2018 Renault Master1 engine81.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel2,29281.0%Beats 43%C
2017 Renault Master1 engine79.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel2,52679.5%Beats 27%D
2016 Renault Master1 engine76.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel3,88876.5%Beats 32%D
2015 Renault Master1 engine75.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel4,45175.9%Beats 29%D
2014 Renault Master1 engine76.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel3,31076.0%Beats 52%C
2013 Renault Master1 engine74.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel3,34074.2%Beats 60%B
2012 Renault Master1 engine68.0% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel2,61668.0%Beats 30%D
2011 Renault Master2 engines64.0% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel1,74563.7%Beats 36%D
2.5 Diesel1,73264.3%Beats 39%D
2010 Renault Master1 engine61.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel3,75861.5%Beats 38%D
2009 Renault Master1 engine63.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel4,59663.4%Beats 57%C
2008 Renault Master1 engine61.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel6,76861.6%Beats 56%C
2007 Renault Master1 engine64.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel8,45564.5%Beats 65%B
2006 Renault Master1 engine64.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel6,84764.1%Beats 67%B
2005 Renault Master1 engine59.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel4,38959.1%Beats 66%B
2004 Renault Master1 engine54.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel3,75854.3%Beats 57%C
2003 Renault Master2 engines55.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel1,63852.5%Beats 53%C
2.5 Diesel1,50759.0%Beats 68%B
2002 Renault Master2 engines49.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel1,55247.3%Beats 32%D
2.5 Diesel1,10852.5%Beats 43%C
2001 Renault Master1 engine46.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel1,12846.1%Beats 27%D
2000 Renault Master1 engine46.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel1,04446.1%Beats 26%D

FAQ

What is the Renault Master MOT pass rate?

65.9% of MOT tests on the Renault Master were passed first time, based on 80,019 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2000–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 66.2% of the time.

Is the Renault Master reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 49% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Renault Master year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2006 Master does best for its age and mileage: it beats 67% of cars on UK roads. The 2022 does worst: it beats 2%.

Which Renault Master engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.5 Diesel does best: it beats 59% of cars on UK roads. The 2.3 Diesel does worst: it beats 26%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Renault Master?

The most common failure items are handbrake performance, headlight aim, sidelights. Compared with similar cars, handbrake performance comes up 3.1× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.