2008 Renault Scenic — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 23,465 MOT tests, the 2008 Renault Scenic recorded a 69.0% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail 28.0% of the time, so this is 2.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.7% of tests against 15.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, ball joint and coil spring — position lamp alone was recorded 4,844 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 26.8% in the 0-30k band and 34.2% in the 150k+ band, a 7.4-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 30.3% fail against 32.7% for diesel, a 2.4-point gap across 23,465 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 37.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.7% | 5,336 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.5% | 3,631 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.9% | 2,332 |
| 4 | Steering | 8.0% | 1,869 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.3% | 1,487 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.0% | 1,419 |
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 | 4,844 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 1,969 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 1,824 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 1,351 |
| 5 | Joints | 1,228 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 1,186 |
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 | 37.3% | 8,744 |
| 2 | Other defects | 33.0% | 7,731 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.0% | 7,265 |
| 4 | Suspension | 23.5% | 5,509 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 4,304 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.2% | 2,637 |
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 | 336 | 26.8% |
| 30-60k | 3,102 | 23.8% |
| 60-90k | 8,208 | 30.1% |
| 90-120k | 7,614 | 32.7% |
| 120-150k | 2,866 | 34.2% |
| 150k+ | 1,132 | 34.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 16,662 | 30.3% |
| Diesel | 6,803 | 32.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,925 | 30.8% |
| 2022 | 5,696 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 4,613 | 31.1% |
| 2024 | 3,523 | 31.2% |
| 2025 | 2,708 | 32.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Scenic
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 22.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (22.7% 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 (9.9% 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 2008 Renault Scenics pass their MOT?
69.0% of the 23,465 2008 Renault Scenic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Renault Scenic?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.7% of tests, followed by suspension (15.5%).
Does the 2008 Scenic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.8% in the 0-30k band to 34.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 23,465 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.