2018 Renault ZOE: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Renault ZOE?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Renault ZOE 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.

Common 2018 Renault ZOE MOT failures and advisories

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.

Known faults on the 2018 Renault ZOE

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Brake hose, pedal and rear seat recalls

  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

• Charging, battery management and 12-volt battery faults

  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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 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. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 14.5× as often on the 2018 Renault ZOE as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 20.5× as often on the 2018 Renault ZOE as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 15× as often on the 2018 Renault ZOE as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?