2002 Renault Scenic — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,471 MOT tests, the 2002 Renault Scenic recorded a 72.3% pass rate. Against MPVs of a similar age (29.8% fail rate), the 2002 Scenic comes out 2.0pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.9% of tests against 11.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are washers, headlamp aim and ball joint — washers alone was recorded 270 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.2% in the 30-60k band and 30.1% in the 150k+ band, a 7.9-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 43.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.0% in 2021 to 26.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.9% | 585 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.4% | 395 |
| 3 | Visibility | 10.5% | 365 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.3% | 290 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 238 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.5% | 189 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 270 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 202 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 190 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 172 |
| 5 | Joints | 165 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 157 |
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 | 43.4% | 1,505 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.6% | 1,095 |
| 3 | Suspension | 25.4% | 882 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 24.1% | 835 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.8% | 652 |
| 6 | Other defects | 17.6% | 610 |
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 | 333 | 22.2% |
| 60-90k | 807 | 25.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,206 | 28.9% |
| 120-150k | 675 | 29.6% |
| 150k+ | 422 | 30.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,022 | 27.6% |
| Diesel | 449 | 28.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,120 | 28.0% |
| 2022 | 848 | 27.6% |
| 2023 | 640 | 27.2% |
| 2024 | 509 | 29.3% |
| 2025 | 354 | 26.0% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Scenic
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.4% 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.
- Visibility (10.5% 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.
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 2002 Renault Scenics pass their MOT?
72.3% of the 3,471 2002 Renault Scenic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Renault Scenic?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.9% of tests, followed by brakes (11.4%).
Does the 2002 Scenic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.2% in the 30-60k band to 30.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,471 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.