1998 Renault Megane — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 654 MOT tests analysed for the 1998 Renault Megane, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 71.6% was in line with the average for small family cars of a similar age (72.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.3% in the 120-150k group versus 14.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 11.8% | 77 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.7% | 70 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 10.5% | 69 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.9% | 58 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.3% | 54 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.0% | 46 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 82 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 44 |
| 3 | Washers | 36 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 34 |
| 5 | Wipers | 28 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 28 |
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 | 31.5% | 206 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.8% | 169 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.6% | 141 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.9% | 130 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.3% | 113 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.4% | 101 |
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 | 41 | 14.6% |
| 30-60k | 202 | 24.8% |
| 60-90k | 219 | 30.1% |
| 90-120k | 126 | 34.9% |
| 120-150k | 41 | 29.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 212 | 28.8% |
| 2022 | 162 | 27.8% |
| 2023 | 127 | 30.7% |
| 2024 | 89 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 64 | 25.0% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Megane
Before buying a 1998 Renault Megane, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 11.8% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (11.8% 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 (10.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (10.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 1998 Renault Meganes pass their MOT?
71.6% of the 654 1998 Renault Megane MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Renault Megane?
Suspension, recorded in 11.8% of tests, followed by brakes (10.7%).
Does the 1998 Megane get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.6% in the 0-30k band to 29.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 654 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.