2007 Renault Scenic — MOT failures & pass rate
29,259 MOT tests on the 2007 Renault Scenic are in this dataset, and 68.5% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (28.9% fail rate), the 2007 Scenic comes out 2.6pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 22.8% of all tests — 6.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, ball joint and coil spring — position lamp alone was recorded 5,796 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 36.1% versus 27.6%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 31.1% of the time against 32.4% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 40.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.8% | 6,672 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.6% | 4,842 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.2% | 3,264 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.6% | 2,221 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 1,996 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.2% | 1,816 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 5,796 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 2,567 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 2,424 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 1,743 |
| 5 | Joints | 1,733 |
| 6 | Individual direction indicators | 1,444 |
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 | 40.9% | 11,967 |
| 2 | Other defects | 33.7% | 9,865 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.3% | 9,170 |
| 4 | Suspension | 26.0% | 7,611 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.4% | 5,675 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.3% | 4,180 |
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 | 388 | 27.6% |
| 30-60k | 3,390 | 24.5% |
| 60-90k | 10,152 | 30.1% |
| 90-120k | 9,695 | 33.4% |
| 120-150k | 4,080 | 34.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,240 | 36.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 21,164 | 31.1% |
| Diesel | 8,095 | 32.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,386 | 31.7% |
| 2022 | 7,372 | 31.6% |
| 2023 | 5,544 | 30.8% |
| 2024 | 4,091 | 31.7% |
| 2025 | 2,866 | 31.8% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Scenic
On a 2007 Scenic, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 22.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (22.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.6% 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 (11.2% 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.
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 2007 Renault Scenics pass their MOT?
68.5% of the 29,259 2007 Renault Scenic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Renault Scenic?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.8% of tests, followed by suspension (16.6%).
Does the 2007 Scenic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.6% in the 0-30k band to 36.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 29,259 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.