2005 Renault Modus — MOT failures & pass rate
21,113 MOT tests on the 2005 Renault Modus are in this dataset, and 67.5% of them passed. That is 3.7 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 28.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.9% of tests against 16.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 2,361 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 33.9% versus 25.7%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 32.3% of the time against 33.5% for diesel.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 38.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.9% | 4,841 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.5% | 3,477 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.7% | 2,476 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.6% | 1,188 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.1% | 1,083 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.2% | 894 |
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 | 2,361 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,178 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 1,990 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 1,864 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 1,322 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 1,124 |
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 | 38.6% | 8,157 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.9% | 6,308 |
| 3 | Suspension | 23.2% | 4,896 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.9% | 4,409 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.9% | 3,788 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.1% | 2,759 |
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 | 557 | 25.7% |
| 30-60k | 4,966 | 28.6% |
| 60-90k | 8,179 | 32.8% |
| 90-120k | 5,061 | 35.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,722 | 35.0% |
| 150k+ | 575 | 33.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 16,356 | 32.3% |
| Diesel | 4,757 | 33.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,151 | 33.4% |
| 2022 | 4,978 | 32.3% |
| 2023 | 4,162 | 32.6% |
| 2024 | 3,253 | 31.6% |
| 2025 | 2,569 | 32.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Modus
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 22.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (22.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.5% 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 (11.7% 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.
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 Moduss pass their MOT?
67.5% of the 21,113 2005 Renault Modus MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Renault Modus?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.9% of tests, followed by suspension (16.5%).
Does the 2005 Modus get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.7% in the 0-30k band to 33.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 21,113 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.