Used car guide · 2013–2024

Renault ZOE common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Renault ZOE, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 63,945 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

63,945MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
27,270on the UK register
3known faults across all years
2022best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013

What usually goes wrong with a Renault ZOE?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Brake hose, pedal and rear seat recalls

    Cars registered 2013–2024 · Some cars

    Wheel arch liners could rub through the front brake hoses, some cars built July to Oct 2017 had the wrong accelerator pedal, and the rear bench might not lock.

    At the viewing: Ask a Renault dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: What Car?: used Renault Zoe (2013-2024) reliability

  • Gearbox park pin recalls: car can roll away (built 2015 to 2017)

    Cars registered 2015–2017 · Built 2015 to 2017

    The park pin inside the gearbox can break so the car rolls away, mostly on cars built July 2015 to April 2017. There were two recalls.

    At the viewing: Ask a Renault dealer to confirm both recalls were done, and always use the handbrake.

    Source: What Car?: used Renault Zoe (2013-2024) reliability

  • Charging, battery management and 12-volt battery faults

    Cars registered 2013–2024 · All versions

    Owners report charging and battery management problems, and the 12-volt battery was the main complaint. If buying out a battery lease, check whether the battery was replaced.

    At the viewing: Test charging, check the range and ask about battery lease status.

    Source: What Car?: used Renault Zoe (2013-2024) reliability

Common Renault ZOE MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Ball joint

    up to 22.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 32× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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 indicators

    up to 24× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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.

  • Tyre condition

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

  • Braking performance

    up to 4.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Wheels

    up to 5.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

Renault ZOE MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2022 Renault ZOE did best (90% passed first time, 1 point above all 2022 cars) and the 2017 did worst (63%, 17 points below all 2017 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202290%89% +15,780
202187%87% +012,123
202087%87% +017,874
201972%85% -136,778
201867%83% -165,398
201763%80% -173,026
201665%77% -124,530
201562%74% -125,084
201460%70% -102,423
201358%67% -9929

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Renault ZOE

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Have the brake hose and rear seat recalls been done?
  2. Have the park pin recalls been done?
  3. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 22.3× as often on the Renault ZOE as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 32× as often on the Renault ZOE as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 24× as often on the Renault ZOE as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Renault ZOE?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score