2004 Renault Scenic — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,374 MOT tests, the 2004 Renault Scenic recorded a 67.7% pass rate. Against MPVs of a similar age (30.1% fail rate), the 2004 Scenic comes out 2.1pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.5% of tests against 15.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and coil spring — headlamp alone was recorded 901 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2004 Scenic fails 28.7% of the time in the 0-30k band and 30.1% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.5 points.
The diesel cars hold up better: 31.0% fail against 32.6% for petrol, a 1.6-point gap across 7,374 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 40.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 34.1% in 2021 to 29.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.5% | 1,659 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.0% | 1,110 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.9% | 951 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 599 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.0% | 593 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.3% | 464 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 901 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 868 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 562 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 480 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 447 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 425 |
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 | 40.8% | 3,008 |
| 2 | Other defects | 31.7% | 2,337 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.3% | 2,305 |
| 4 | Suspension | 27.8% | 2,047 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 26.5% | 1,954 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.0% | 1,104 |
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 | 1,314 | 28.7% |
| 30-60k | 2,711 | 31.4% |
| 60-90k | 2,012 | 34.3% |
| 90-120k | 816 | 33.7% |
| 120-150k | 316 | 32.6% |
| 150k+ | 136 | 30.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 5,900 | 32.6% |
| Diesel | 1,474 | 31.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,925 | 34.1% |
| 2022 | 1,801 | 31.0% |
| 2023 | 1,269 | 31.6% |
| 2024 | 832 | 31.4% |
| 2025 | 547 | 29.4% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Scenic
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 22.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (22.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.0% 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 (12.9% 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 2004 Renault Scenics pass their MOT?
67.7% of the 7,374 2004 Renault Scenic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Renault Scenic?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.5% of tests, followed by suspension (15.0%).
Does the 2004 Scenic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.7% in the 0-30k band to 30.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,374 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.