Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2018 Renault Trafic?

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 2018 Renault Trafic?

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 2018 Renault Trafic?

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 2018 Renault Trafic vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

30% 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 2018 Renault Trafic reliable?

Based on MOT data from 9,016 vehicles, the 2018 Renault Trafic has a first-time MOT pass rate of 79.7%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2018 Renault Trafic?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2018 Renault Trafic are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (39.1% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (37.9% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (37.4% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2018 Renault Trafic?

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.

CarHunch

Get Started

Renault Trafic (2018)

9,016 real MOT outcomes analysed • 79.7% first-time pass rate

2018 Renault Trafic

CarHunch analysed 9,016 real MOT records for the 2018 Renault Trafic. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2018 Renault Trafic sits almost exactly at the UK average with a 79.7% first-time pass rate, but nearly 30% of these vans have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is significantly above typical and should concern potential buyers. This is a reliability red flag worth investigating further, particularly around the specific defect categories.

At an average mileage of 70,019 miles for a six-year-old van, these vehicles are running within expected parameters, but the high advisory count of 7.2 per vehicle suggests wear is accumulating faster than ideal. When you're evaluating a used Trafic, prioritise a pre-purchase inspection focusing on brake condition, suspension wear, and any previous dangerous defect history—these vans need closer scrutiny than the average UK commercial vehicle.

The 2018 Renault Trafic has a decent first-time pass rate (79.7%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ 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

79.7%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

29.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.45

Over 6.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

65k

Middle half: 46k–90k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 7.2 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 9,016 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 9,016 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 39.1%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 37.4%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Suspension & steering 26.3%

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil · Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil · Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Other issues 25.6%

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view · Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction · Oil leak, but not excessive

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 9,016 Renault Trafic cars.

Before you buy a 2018 Renault Trafic

Based on MOT data from 9,016 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 29.9% 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 172,140 Renault Trafic vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

White 44.7%

76,902

Silver 24.3%

41,805

Black 9.7%

16,644

Grey 7.5%

12,987

Blue 6.7%

11,457

Red 2.8%

4,894

Yellow 1.8%

3,049

Beige 1.4%

2,332

Green 1%

1,668

Brown 0.1%

219

Cream 0.1%

Orange 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2018 Renault Trafic 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.

65,068

typical

45,604

low mileage

89,940

high mileage

Half of all 2018 Renault Trafic vehicles fall between 45,604 and 89,940 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 45,604 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.

✓ 45,604–89,940 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2018 Renault Trafics sit.

⚠ Over 121,419 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2018 Renault Trafic — Still on the Road

Almost all 2018 Renault Trafics are still on the road.

Strong survival — 8,183 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 95% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.

MOT History Averages

6.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.45

Avg failures per vehicle

7.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2019 2020

Or browse all models: Renault →

Compare with another model

See how the 2018 Renault Trafic stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing