Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Renault Grand Espace?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1998 Renault Grand Espace?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1998 Renault Grand Espace?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 1998 Renault Grand Espace vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

25% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 1998 Renault Grand Espace reliable?

Based on MOT data from 461 vehicles, the 1998 Renault Grand Espace has a first-time MOT pass rate of 67%, indicating average reliability for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1998 Renault Grand Espace?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Renault Grand Espace (1998)

461 real MOT outcomes analysed • 67% first-time pass rate

1998 Renault Grand Espace

CarHunch analysed 461 real MOT records for the 1998 Renault Grand Espace. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 461 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

This 1998 Grand Espace is a reliability concern: a 67% first-time pass rate sits well below the UK average of 80%, and nearly one in four examples have recorded a dangerous defect, which is a serious buyer red flag. The diesel versions (which make up the vast majority of this cohort) pass at an identical 67.1%, so fuel type offers no advantage here.

At 123,000 miles average, these are well-used family vans, yet they're averaging 3.35 failures and 10.6 advisories per test—substantially more than you'd expect even for age and mileage. If you're considering one, budget for immediate mechanical work and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on suspension, braking, and exhaust systems, which typically dominate the failure list for this era of Renault.

The 1998 Renault Grand Espace has a below-average first-time pass rate (67% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

67%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

25%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.35

Over 9.6 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

119k

Middle half: 101k–142k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 10.6 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 461 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 461 Renault Grand Espace cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Renault Grand Espace

Based on MOT data from 461 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 25% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (96%)	444	67.1%	3.34

Colour Breakdown

Based on 12,154 Renault Grand Espace vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 29.9%

3,631

Blue 23.8%

2,891

Grey 19%

2,313

Black 9.4%

1,145

Green 6.1%

740

Beige 5.6%

677

Red 5.5%

671

White 0.6%

Purple 0%

Brown 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Renault Grand Espace vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

119,412

typical

101,343

low mileage

142,202

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Renault Grand Espace vehicles fall between 101,343 and 142,202 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 101,343 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 101,343–142,202 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Renault Grand Espaces sit.

⚠ Over 191,972 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 Renault Grand Espace — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 16% of 1998 Renault Grand Espaces are still active.

Numbers are declining — 15 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2018 (16% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2018.

MOT History Averages

9.6

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.35

Avg failures per vehicle

10.6

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Renault Grand Espace: All Grand Espace years → Which year to buy? →

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Or browse all models: Renault →

Compare with another model

See how the 1998 Renault Grand Espace stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on