1999 Renault Megane — MOT failures & pass rate
1,738 MOT tests on the 1999 Renault Megane are in this dataset, and 72.6% of them passed. That is effectively the same as small family cars of a similar age (27.5% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.2%) and body, structure & corrosion (12.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and washers — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 132 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 38.2% once past 150k — 2.0× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 29.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 26.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 247 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.7% | 220 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.2% | 178 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.4% | 146 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.4% | 146 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.2% | 107 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 132 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 121 |
| 3 | Washers | 98 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 96 |
| 5 | Joints | 87 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 84 |
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 | 29.4% | 511 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.8% | 500 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.6% | 463 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.8% | 361 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 320 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.3% | 266 |
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 | 53 | 18.9% |
| 30-60k | 384 | 21.1% |
| 60-90k | 663 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 400 | 31.8% |
| 120-150k | 170 | 27.7% |
| 150k+ | 68 | 38.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,687 | 27.4% |
| Diesel | 51 | 27.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 629 | 26.9% |
| 2022 | 432 | 25.9% |
| 2023 | 304 | 29.6% |
| 2024 | 215 | 26.5% |
| 2025 | 158 | 30.4% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Megane
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.7% 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+.
- Suspension (10.2% 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.
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 1999 Renault Meganes pass their MOT?
72.6% of the 1,738 1999 Renault Megane MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Renault Megane?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.2% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (12.7%).
Does the 1999 Megane get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.9% in the 0-30k band to 38.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,738 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.