Used buying checklist
Renault Kadjar reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Renault Kadjar looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 13.4% of 78,274 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical.
Start with suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 13.4% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 41,669 miles
- 10,479 failed MOT tests analysed
Suspension and steering is the clearest area to check
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (6.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt, ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated, and ball joint excessively worn.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
- ball joint excessively worn
- over ten years old is fitted to a front axle of a bus or coach
- damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
- does not clear the windscreen effectively
- provides insufficient washer liquid
- Items removed from drivers view prior to test
- with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning
- Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights
Focus on suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical
The model's recorded failure rate is 13.4%, -5.3 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed78,274 tests
- Median tested mileage41,669 miles
- Failed MOT tests10,479
Should you buy a used Renault Kadjar?
86.6% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 13.4%, -5.3 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical
- suspension and steering appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical.
Start with suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (6.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Renault Kadjar, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
The MOT failure rate rises from 9.2% at 0-3 years to 0.0% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, lights and electrical, and tyres and wheels. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, lights and electrical, and tyres and wheels. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
-
Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (6.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
-
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (5.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
-
Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (3.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
-
Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
-
Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
-
Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (0.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Renault Kadjar, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (6.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Renault Kadjar mainly involve 4 areas: mixed recall notices, seatbelts and safety systems, suspension and steering, and brakes. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Renault Kadjar, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, suspension and steering, and tyres and wheels.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 49,959 | 43,040 | 11.2%+0.3 percentage points vs all models | 31,784 miles |
| 50-100k | 26,426 | 21,368 | 17.2%-3.6 percentage points vs all models | 62,741 miles |
| 100-150k | 1,491 | 1,144 | 21.5%-4.7 percentage points vs all models | 110,398 miles |
| 150-200k | 81 | 58 | 27.2%-0.1 percentage points vs all models | 161,193 miles |
| 200k+ | 13 | 11 | 23.1%-3.5 percentage points vs all models | 222,598 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Renault Kadjar, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
|
|
| 50-100k |
|
|
| 100-150k |
|
|
| 150-200k |
|
|
| 200k+ |
|
|
Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 9.2% at 0-3 years to 0.0% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 16.0% for 6-10 years cars, based on 33,706 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
7,113 | 6,472 | 9.2%+0.8 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
37,454 | 32,346 | 11.8%+1.3 percentage points vs all models | 4.9 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
33,706 | 27,401 | 16.0%-0.6 percentage points vs all models | 7.0 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
1 | 1 | 0.0%-25.9 percentage points vs all models | 18.6 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2020-08-26 | CHILD LOCK DISENGAGES AFTER BEING ACTIVATED The child lock disengages after it was activated by the customer. Fit a retaining clip to the door locks. |
|---|---|
| 2020-07-21 | INCORRECT NOx CONTROL Lack of NOX-neutralizing substance in the catalytic converter meaning incorrect NOx Control Replace the catalytic convertor |
| 2017-09-01 | SIDE AIR CURTAIN MAY NOT DEPLOY The curtain airbag (one or both side) may not deploy in the event of a side impact because the pyrotechnic mix ratio in the ignitor could be incorrect.. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and check the serial number of the curtain airbag. Replace airbag if required. |
| 2016-04-26 | SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE POINTS MAY BE INSECURE On affected vehicles the rear side members may not have been correctly constructed. This could compromise seat belt operation during a collision. Renault Dealers will advise of any action required |
| 2016-04-19 | SIDE AIRBAGS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY OR THEY MAY DEPLOY INCORRECTLY The airbag computer (ECU) incorrectly interprets the data provided by the lateral shock sensors and can reverse it. In the event of a side impact that is severe enough to cause side air bag deployment there is a risk of either non-deployment or activation of the airbags on the opposite side to the impact On affected vehicles re-programme of the airbag ECU |
| 2016-01-08 | ENGINE POWER AND/OR BRAKING EFFICIENCY MAY BE AFFECTED On affected vehicles the drive to brake vacuum pump may fail. This may cause a loss of brake servo assistance and a hard brake pedal. It may also cause a reduction in engine power. Check the manufacture date of the vacuum pump and where necessary replace the pump. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Renault Kadjar. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Renault reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.