2004 Renault Grand Scenic — MOT failures & pass rate
979 MOT tests on the 2004 Renault Grand Scenic are in this dataset, and 64.9% of them passed. That is 5.0 percentage points worse than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 30.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 23.8% of all tests — 5.7 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and coil spring — headlamp alone was recorded 149 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 34.7% in the 0-30k band and 40.0% in the 150k+ band, a 5.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 40.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 23.8% | 233 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.1% | 177 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.1% | 128 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.9% | 87 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.7% | 75 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.1% | 60 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 149 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 124 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 92 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 88 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 67 |
| 6 | Wipers | 56 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 40.4% | 395 |
| 2 | Tyres | 32.7% | 320 |
| 3 | Other defects | 31.6% | 309 |
| 4 | Suspension | 28.7% | 281 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 26.7% | 261 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.4% | 141 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 75 | 34.7% |
| 30-60k | 342 | 35.1% |
| 60-90k | 340 | 36.2% |
| 90-120k | 127 | 31.5% |
| 120-150k | 51 | 33.3% |
| 150k+ | 30 | 40.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 644 | 34.8% |
| Diesel | 333 | 35.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 407 | 35.1% |
| 2022 | 272 | 35.7% |
| 2023 | 145 | 32.4% |
| 2024 | 100 | 38.0% |
| 2025 | 55 | 34.5% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Grand Scenic
On a 2004 Grand Scenic, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 23.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (23.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (18.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (13.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2004 Renault Grand Scenics pass their MOT?
64.9% of the 979 2004 Renault Grand Scenic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 35.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Renault Grand Scenic?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.8% of tests, followed by suspension (18.1%).
Does the 2004 Grand Scenic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 34.7% in the 0-30k band to 40.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 979 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.