2012 Renault Scenic — MOT failures & pass rate
18,673 MOT tests on the 2012 Renault Scenic are in this dataset, and 73.0% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (22.6% fail rate), the 2012 Scenic comes out 4.5pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and steering.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (13.3%) and lighting & signalling (12.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, track rod end and stop lamp — coil spring alone was recorded 1,623 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.8% in the 0-30k band and 29.5% in the 150k+ band, a 11.7-point spread.
Split by fuel, petrol examples fail 1.6pp more often than diesel ones (28.3% vs 26.7%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 29.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.3% | 2,475 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 2,384 |
| 3 | Steering | 7.0% | 1,310 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.3% | 1,171 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.7% | 874 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.6% | 665 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 1,623 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 1,522 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 913 |
| 4 | Linkage ball joints | 730 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 675 |
| 6 | Individual direction indicators | 586 |
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 | 29.7% | 5,538 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.0% | 5,414 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.8% | 4,078 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.4% | 2,131 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.4% | 1,950 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.0% | 930 |
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 | 17.8% |
| 30-60k | 4,091 | 23.5% |
| 60-90k | 7,528 | 27.0% |
| 90-120k | 4,594 | 29.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,574 | 30.0% |
| 150k+ | 468 | 29.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 14,508 | 26.7% |
| Petrol | 4,165 | 28.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,025 | 26.3% |
| 2022 | 3,937 | 26.5% |
| 2023 | 3,847 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 3,584 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 3,280 | 27.5% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Scenic
On a 2012 Scenic, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (13.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (12.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (7.0% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
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 2012 Renault Scenics pass their MOT?
73.0% of the 18,673 2012 Renault Scenic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Renault Scenic?
Suspension, recorded in 13.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.8%).
Does the 2012 Scenic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.8% in the 0-30k band to 29.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,673 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.