2008 Renault Modus — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 12,934 MOT tests, the 2008 Renault Modus recorded a 70.1% pass rate. Against superminis of a similar age (27.0% fail rate), the 2008 Modus comes out 2.9pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.7% of all tests — 3.1 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, coil spring and track rod end — position lamp alone was recorded 1,316 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 21.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 36.1% once past 150k.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 29.6% of the time against 30.7% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.7% | 2,553 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.7% | 2,153 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.6% | 979 |
| 4 | Steering | 6.2% | 803 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.7% | 743 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.0% | 646 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 1,316 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 1,254 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 869 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 750 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 726 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 702 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 30.9% | 3,998 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.0% | 3,756 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.5% | 2,653 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 1,882 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.0% | 1,687 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.9% | 1,407 |
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 | 542 | 21.2% |
| 30-60k | 3,308 | 26.0% |
| 60-90k | 4,718 | 29.9% |
| 90-120k | 3,071 | 34.1% |
| 120-150k | 956 | 32.6% |
| 150k+ | 316 | 36.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 9,263 | 29.6% |
| Diesel | 3,671 | 30.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,122 | 29.8% |
| 2022 | 2,846 | 29.2% |
| 2023 | 2,601 | 29.4% |
| 2024 | 2,339 | 30.8% |
| 2025 | 2,026 | 30.7% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Modus
On a 2008 Modus, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.7% 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 (7.6% 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 2008 Renault Moduss pass their MOT?
70.1% of the 12,934 2008 Renault Modus MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Renault Modus?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.7% of tests, followed by suspension (16.7%).
Does the 2008 Modus get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.2% in the 0-30k band to 36.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,934 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.