2010 Renault Megane — MOT failures & pass rate
118,023 MOT tests on the 2010 Renault Megane are in this dataset, and 69.1% of them passed. Against small family cars of a similar age (24.1% fail rate), the 2010 Megane comes out 6.9pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.5%) and suspension (17.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, track rod end and stop lamp — coil spring alone was recorded 13,178 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 33.0% once past 150k.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.8pp more often than petrol ones (31.9% vs 30.0%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 38.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 20,642 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.2% | 20,337 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.5% | 12,446 |
| 4 | Steering | 8.5% | 10,006 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.6% | 6,562 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.0% | 5,934 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 13,178 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 11,189 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 7,660 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 6,591 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 6,461 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 6,043 |
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 | 38.1% | 44,966 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.2% | 34,485 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.4% | 31,186 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 16,486 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.3% | 14,560 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.5% | 7,717 |
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 | 1,109 | 17.4% |
| 30-60k | 11,271 | 25.6% |
| 60-90k | 37,067 | 29.9% |
| 90-120k | 38,928 | 32.1% |
| 120-150k | 19,714 | 33.1% |
| 150k+ | 9,828 | 33.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 61,571 | 30.0% |
| Diesel | 56,452 | 31.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 27,816 | 30.5% |
| 2022 | 26,408 | 30.6% |
| 2023 | 24,234 | 31.2% |
| 2024 | 21,439 | 31.2% |
| 2025 | 18,126 | 31.3% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Megane
On a 2010 Megane, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.2% 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.
- Brakes (10.5% 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 2010 Renault Meganes pass their MOT?
69.1% of the 118,023 2010 Renault Megane MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Renault Megane?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.5% of tests, followed by suspension (17.2%).
Does the 2010 Megane get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.4% in the 0-30k band to 33.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 118,023 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.