Used car guide

2018 Renault ZOE: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Renault ZOEs, from 1,794 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,794MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
5,800typical miles a year
14.5×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Renault ZOEs than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Ball joint14.5× usual
    Renault ZOE
    18.9% All 2018 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 13%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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.

  • Individual direction indicators20.5× usual
    Renault ZOE
    8.2% All 2018 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.1% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints15× usual
    Renault ZOE
    7.5% All 2018 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.2% of all 2018 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.

  • Braking performance3.7× usual
    Renault ZOE
    5.2% All 2018 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.5% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Number plates3.2× usual
    Renault ZOE
    5.4% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Better than most

Brake pads: 4.3% here, against 11% of all 2018 cars.

By area

The share of 2018 Renault ZOE MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    28% 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
    19% 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
    19% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a Renault ZOE?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20225,568Tyres 26%
20216,102Tyres 29%
20206,047Tyres 33%
20192,275Tyres 36%
2017995Tyres 37%
20161,479Tyres 38%
20151,663Tyres 37%
2014769Tyres 37%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Renault ZOEs registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score