2001 Renault Scenic — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,047 MOT tests, the 2001 Renault Scenic recorded a 72.5% pass rate. Against MPVs of a similar age (29.6% fail rate), the 2001 Scenic comes out 2.2pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.0% of all tests — 4.9 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are washers, position lamp and joints — washers alone was recorded 188 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.6% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 32.1% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 42.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 347 |
| 2 | Visibility | 12.0% | 246 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.9% | 224 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.2% | 189 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 155 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.1% | 104 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 188 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 133 |
| 3 | Joints | 118 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 114 |
| 5 | Wipers | 103 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 98 |
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 | 42.8% | 876 |
| 2 | Tyres | 32.2% | 659 |
| 3 | Suspension | 30.8% | 630 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.5% | 461 |
| 5 | Other defects | 19.6% | 401 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 16.7% | 342 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 167 | 18.6% |
| 60-90k | 498 | 26.3% |
| 90-120k | 631 | 26.9% |
| 120-150k | 476 | 29.8% |
| 150k+ | 252 | 32.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,844 | 27.6% |
| Diesel | 203 | 26.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 673 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 523 | 28.1% |
| 2023 | 372 | 25.3% |
| 2024 | 280 | 28.2% |
| 2025 | 199 | 27.6% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Scenic
On a 2001 Scenic, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (12.0% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Suspension (10.9% 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 2001 Renault Scenics pass their MOT?
72.5% of the 2,047 2001 Renault Scenic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Renault Scenic?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.0% of tests, followed by visibility (12.0%).
Does the 2001 Scenic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.6% in the 30-60k band to 32.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,047 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.