2018 Renault Scenic — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,264 MOT tests, the 2018 Renault Scenic recorded an 88.2% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail at 12.2%, so the 2018 Scenic sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.3%) and lighting & signalling (4.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and tread depth — headlamp alone was recorded 67 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.5% in the 0-30k band and 20.4% in the 90-120k band, a 11.9-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 11.5% of the time against 12.0% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 10.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.3% | 172 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 4.8% | 155 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.3% | 107 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.1% | 67 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.8% | 57 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 30 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 67 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 51 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 46 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 45 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 39 |
| 6 | Washers | 38 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 26.7% | 871 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.6% | 379 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.8% | 188 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.7% | 186 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 1.9% | 63 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.6% | 53 |
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 | 1,591 | 8.5% |
| 30-60k | 1,354 | 14.1% |
| 60-90k | 260 | 18.1% |
| 90-120k | 49 | 20.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,961 | 12.0% |
| Petrol | 1,299 | 11.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 652 | 10.4% |
| 2022 | 630 | 8.6% |
| 2023 | 670 | 13.0% |
| 2024 | 647 | 12.2% |
| 2025 | 665 | 14.6% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Scenic
On a 2018 Scenic, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.3% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (4.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.3% 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.
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 2018 Renault Scenics pass their MOT?
88.2% of the 3,264 2018 Renault Scenic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Renault Scenic?
Tyres, recorded in 5.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (4.8%).
Does the 2018 Scenic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.5% in the 0-30k band to 20.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,264 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.