2003 Renault Scenic — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Renault Scenic passed 70.7% of its 4,820 recorded MOT tests. MPVs of a similar age fail at 30.0%, so the 2003 Scenic sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.4% of all tests — 4.3 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are washers, headlamp aim and ball joint — washers alone was recorded 339 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2003 Scenic fails 28.8% of the time in the 0-30k band and 30.3% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.5 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 29.2% of the time against 29.7% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 45.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 792 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.2% | 586 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.4% | 500 |
| 4 | Visibility | 9.6% | 462 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 343 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.2% | 301 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 339 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 323 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 298 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 261 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 249 |
| 6 | Joints | 237 |
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 | 45.4% | 2,190 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.4% | 1,515 |
| 3 | Suspension | 27.5% | 1,326 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 23.1% | 1,114 |
| 5 | Other defects | 21.8% | 1,050 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.2% | 731 |
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 | 132 | 28.8% |
| 30-60k | 831 | 26.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,354 | 28.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,315 | 29.8% |
| 120-150k | 872 | 31.2% |
| 150k+ | 304 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,066 | 29.2% |
| Diesel | 754 | 29.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,617 | 29.4% |
| 2022 | 1,175 | 29.7% |
| 2023 | 877 | 28.7% |
| 2024 | 660 | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 491 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Scenic
On a 2003 Scenic, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.2% 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.
- Suspension (10.4% 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 2003 Renault Scenics pass their MOT?
70.7% of the 4,820 2003 Renault Scenic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Renault Scenic?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by brakes (12.2%).
Does the 2003 Scenic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.8% in the 0-30k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,820 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.