2015 Renault ZOE Electric · PL15 BBO

The most recent MOT test on 26 March 2026 resulted in a pass, though four advisories were recorded, including a slightly discoloured offside rear direction indicator, an offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit with baldness on the inner edge, a deteriorated front registration plate, and a child seat obstructing the view of the nearside mirror. Two days prior to this pass, the vehicle failed on multiple major defects relating to the windscreen wiper function, an insecure and broken nearside headlamp, non-functional dipped and main beam output, and an incorrect colour nearside rear direction indicator. Although the subsequent pass indicates these issues were rectified before the test was completed, the cluster of lighting and visibility failures is notable. Looking at the broader trend, the vehicle has alternated between passes and failures at each annual test since 2023, with progressively more advisories and a series of major defects covering coil spring failure, tyre pressure monitoring faults, and headlamp integrity, suggesting a maintenance pattern that is not entirely stable and warrants close physical inspection. With 37,183 miles recorded over approximately 11 years, this Renault Zoe has covered an average of around 3,380 miles annually, which is well below typical mileage for a vehicle of this age. Such low usage raises the likelihood of extended periods of standing, which can bring their own mechanical concerns including brake disc corrosion and surface pitting due to infrequent use, potential caliper seizure from seized pistons or slider pins, accelerated tyre sidewall perishing and cracking from age rather than wear, and degradation of brake fluid and coolant through calendar ageing rather than mileage accumulation. There are no significant gaps in the MOT record, indicating the vehicle has been regularly presented for testing, but the low annual mileage means closer attention should be paid to time-based service items such as the 12 volt auxiliary battery condition, cabin and air conditioning filter elements, and the condition of any high voltage traction system cooling components which can suffer when the vehicle is not exercised regularly. Given the recurrence of lighting and indicator defects, a prospective buyer should verify full operation of all exterior lamps including main beam, dipped beam, sidelights, indicators front and rear, and the registration plate illumination, and inspect the headlamp units for secure mounting, moisture ingress, and correct alignment. The nearside headlamp replacement following the March 2026 failure should be confirmed with paperwork, and the offside rear indicator discolouration should be monitored as it may progress and become a failure at the next test. On a test drive, listen for any suspension knocking or clonking over bumps that could indicate worn bushes or a recurrence of the coil spring fracture recorded in March 2024, and observe whether the vehicle sits level as fractured or sagging coil springs on an electric vehicle of this age are not unusual. Brake feel should be assessed for any grinding, shuddering, or pulling to one side which would suggest corroded discs or a binding caliper from extended standing, and the handbrake should be confirmed to hold the vehicle on an incline. The offside front tyre noted as worn on the inner edge in March 2026 warrants particular attention, as inner edge wear typically indicates either an unresolved tracking or wheel alignment issue, or worn suspension components such as wishbone bushes or a failing strut top mount, and this should be inspected and corrected before new tyres are fitted to avoid premature wear repeating. The tyre pressure monitoring system flagged in March 2025 may simply have required a reset or new sensors, but confirmation that the system is currently functional and illuminating correctly on dashboard activation is advisable. Beyond the recorded defects, the deteriorated front registration plate should be cleaned or replaced for presentation purposes, and the tyres overall should be checked for age-related sidewall cracking, with any tyres over five years old considered for replacement regardless of tread depth. Given the low annual mileage, the brake fluid should be replaced regardless of its last recorded service date, the 12 volt battery tested for cranking and standby capacity, and the cooling system inspected for the condition of hoses and the strength of the coolant, all of which degrade with time rather than use. A full main dealer or specialist history stamp verification is strongly recommended to confirm the high voltage battery health state of this electric vehicle and to evidence any software updates or battery management interventions that may have been carried out.