2005 Renault Megane — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 22,981 MOT tests, the 2005 Renault Megane recorded a 67.5% pass rate. Small family cars of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 4.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 22.1% of all tests — 6.4 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and ball joint — headlamp aim alone was recorded 2,358 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.2% in the 0-30k band and 35.1% in the 150k+ band, a 12.0-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 32.4% of the time against 32.5% for petrol.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 42.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.6% in 2021 to 30.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.1% | 5,076 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.7% | 3,615 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.5% | 3,090 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.5% | 1,722 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.3% | 1,679 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.8% | 1,556 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 2,358 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 1,946 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 1,856 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 1,744 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 1,741 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 1,340 |
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 | 42.4% | 9,756 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.8% | 6,852 |
| 3 | Other defects | 28.6% | 6,578 |
| 4 | Suspension | 26.3% | 6,049 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 21.6% | 4,962 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.8% | 2,719 |
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 | 419 | 23.2% |
| 30-60k | 2,696 | 27.0% |
| 60-90k | 7,072 | 32.2% |
| 90-120k | 7,265 | 33.5% |
| 120-150k | 3,729 | 34.3% |
| 150k+ | 1,652 | 35.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 16,297 | 32.5% |
| Diesel | 6,684 | 32.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,455 | 33.6% |
| 2022 | 5,722 | 32.4% |
| 2023 | 4,102 | 31.5% |
| 2024 | 2,812 | 32.0% |
| 2025 | 1,890 | 30.4% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Megane
On a 2005 Megane, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 22.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (22.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.7% 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 (13.5% 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 2005 Renault Meganes pass their MOT?
67.5% of the 22,981 2005 Renault Megane MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Renault Megane?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.1% of tests, followed by suspension (15.7%).
Does the 2005 Megane get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.2% in the 0-30k band to 35.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,981 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.