1997 Renault Laguna — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1997 Renault Laguna passed 76.1% of its 255 recorded MOT tests. That is 3.1 percentage points better than large family cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.0%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 14.1% of all tests — 5.1 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 19 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.4% in the 30-60k band and 22.6% in the 150k+ band, a 4.2-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 36.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 24.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.0% in 2023, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.1% | 36 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 23 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 20 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.7% | 17 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.7% | 17 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 12 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 19 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 18 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 15 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 14 |
| 6 | Chassis condition | 9 |
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 | 36.1% | 92 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.4% | 75 |
| 3 | Other defects | 27.5% | 70 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.3% | 67 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 22.8% | 58 |
| 6 | Tyres | 21.6% | 55 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 49 | 18.4% |
| 60-90k | 46 | 23.9% |
| 90-120k | 87 | 27.6% |
| 120-150k | 36 | 25.0% |
| 150k+ | 31 | 22.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 94 | 24.5% |
| 2022 | 59 | 18.6% |
| 2023 | 50 | 30.0% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Laguna
On a 1997 Laguna, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (14.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (9.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (7.8% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 1997 Renault Lagunas pass their MOT?
76.1% of the 255 1997 Renault Laguna MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Renault Laguna?
Suspension, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.0%).
Does the 1997 Laguna get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.4% in the 30-60k band to 22.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 255 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.