Used car guide

2007 Renault Grand Espace: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2007 Renault Grand Espaces, from 269 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 269 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

269MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)
7,600typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2007 Renault Grand Espaces than on all cars registered in 2007.

  • Track rod ends3.2× usual
    Renault Grand Espace
    18.6% All 2007 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.4%, against 2.5% of all 2007 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints4.1× usual
    Renault Grand Espace
    14.1% All 2007 cars
    3.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2007 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.

  • Ball joint2.4× usual
    Renault Grand Espace
    15.2% All 2007 cars
    6.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.3%, against 3% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2× usual
    Renault Grand Espace
    14.9% All 2007 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 3.2% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

By area

The share of 2007 Renault Grand Espace MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    58% 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
    40% 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.

  • Steering
    17% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    15% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011219Suspension 55%
2010178Suspension 46%
2009115Suspension 52%
2008217Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2007 Renault Grand Espaces registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score