2003 Renault Kangoo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 11,242 MOT tests, the 2003 Renault Kangoo recorded a 67.4% pass rate. That is 2.6 percentage points worse than vans of a similar age, which fail at 30.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.1%) and suspension (14.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, washers and position lamp — joints alone was recorded 769 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 35.3% versus 25.4%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.4pp more often than petrol ones (33.5% vs 31.0%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 32.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 1,697 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.7% | 1,649 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.4% | 1,510 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.0% | 1,121 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.7% | 1,094 |
| 6 | Steering | 9.2% | 1,030 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 769 |
| 2 | Washers | 711 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 662 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 625 |
| 5 | Wipers | 603 |
| 6 | Steering rack | 600 |
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 | 32.9% | 3,700 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.7% | 3,560 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.3% | 3,292 |
| 4 | Other defects | 21.2% | 2,383 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.4% | 2,068 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 1,938 |
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 | 213 | 25.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,592 | 29.0% |
| 60-90k | 2,916 | 32.5% |
| 90-120k | 3,037 | 33.9% |
| 120-150k | 2,038 | 32.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,396 | 35.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,243 | 33.5% |
| Petrol | 3,999 | 31.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,226 | 33.1% |
| 2022 | 2,716 | 32.9% |
| 2023 | 2,185 | 32.2% |
| 2024 | 1,746 | 31.8% |
| 2025 | 1,369 | 32.5% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Kangoo
On a 2003 Kangoo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.7% 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 (13.4% 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 2003 Renault Kangoos pass their MOT?
67.4% of the 11,242 2003 Renault Kangoo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Renault Kangoo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.1% of tests, followed by suspension (14.7%).
Does the 2003 Kangoo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.4% in the 0-30k band to 35.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,242 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.