2005 Renault Scenic — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2005 Renault Scenic passed 67.7% of its 10,357 recorded MOT tests. Against MPVs of a similar age (30.0% fail rate), the 2005 Scenic comes out 2.3pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 22.3% of all tests — 6.8 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and ball joint — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,144 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 28.2% in the 0-30k band and 36.5% in the 150k+ band, a 8.3-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.6pp more often than petrol ones (34.3% vs 31.7%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 41.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.9% in 2021 to 30.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.3% | 2,311 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.5% | 1,609 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.8% | 1,322 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 725 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.8% | 705 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.6% | 681 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 1,144 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 1,120 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 859 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 776 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 736 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 606 |
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 | 41.8% | 4,326 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.1% | 3,226 |
| 3 | Other defects | 29.9% | 3,100 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 26.7% | 2,765 |
| 5 | Suspension | 25.2% | 2,612 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.1% | 1,465 |
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 | 1,489 | 28.2% |
| 30-60k | 3,274 | 31.7% |
| 60-90k | 2,866 | 32.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,677 | 33.3% |
| 120-150k | 685 | 34.7% |
| 150k+ | 252 | 36.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 7,692 | 31.7% |
| Diesel | 2,665 | 34.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,849 | 32.9% |
| 2022 | 2,674 | 32.3% |
| 2023 | 1,838 | 31.5% |
| 2024 | 1,220 | 32.5% |
| 2025 | 776 | 30.9% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Scenic
On a 2005 Scenic, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 22.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (22.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.5% 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 (12.8% 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 2005 Renault Scenics pass their MOT?
67.7% of the 10,357 2005 Renault Scenic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Renault Scenic?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.3% of tests, followed by suspension (15.5%).
Does the 2005 Scenic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.2% in the 0-30k band to 36.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,357 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.