Used buying checklist
Renault Modus reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Renault Modus looks worse than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 30.4% of 19,443 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, 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.
- 30.4% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 73,200 miles
- 5,919 failed MOT tests analysed
Corrosion and structure is the clearest area to check
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (39.3 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include corroded and seriously weakened, excessively corroded, and corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- corroded and seriously weakened
- excessively corroded
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
- ferrule excessively corroded
- ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)
- ball joint has excessive play
- ball joint excessively worn
- slightly loose
- inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
Focus on corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical
The model's recorded failure rate is 30.4%, +11.7 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 analysed19,443 tests
- Median tested mileage73,200 miles
- Failed MOT tests5,919
Should you buy a used Renault Modus?
69.6% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 30.4%, +11.7 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 corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical
- corrosion and structure 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 "corroded and seriously weakened"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (39.3 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 Modus, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
The MOT failure rate rises from 28.5% at 10-15 years to 31.5% 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 corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
5 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 corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. 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.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (39.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (37.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (30.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (16.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (7.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Renault Modus, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (39.3 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 Modus mainly involve 5 areas: mixed recall notices, seatbelts and safety systems, lights and electrical, 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 Modus, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 4,011 | 2,998 | 24.9%+14.1 percentage points vs all models | 38,973 miles |
| 50-100k | 11,179 | 7,739 | 31.0%+10.3 percentage points vs all models | 73,021 miles |
| 100-150k | 3,704 | 2,467 | 34.4%+8.2 percentage points vs all models | 114,279 miles |
| 150-200k | 370 | 250 | 35.1%+7.9 percentage points vs all models | 161,075 miles |
| 200k+ | 24 | 16 | 33.3%+6.8 percentage points vs all models | 217,164 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Renault Modus, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 28.5% at 10-15 years to 31.5% 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 31.5% for 15+ years cars, based on 12,412 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
7,031 | 4,944 | 28.5%+5.0 percentage points vs all models | 13.0 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
12,412 | 8,532 | 31.5%+5.6 percentage points vs all models | 17.1 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
5 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2010-04-20 | REAR BENCH SEAT MAY JAM The rear passengers may not be sufficiently restrained during an accident if the manually adjustable bench seat mechanism jams. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to fit a reinforcement bracket and a cable tie to the seat adjustment mechanism. |
|---|---|
| 2007-10-30 | FRONT HEAD RESTRAINT MAY NOT RETAIN ITS POSITION IN THE EVENT OF AN IMPACT. It has been identified that the possibility exists that the front seat head restraint components may have been incorrectly welded into position in the seat frame. This in certain cases can cause the sleeve to become loose to the seat frame. This has the potential to prevent the front seat head restraints retaining their position in the event of an impact. Recalled vehicles will have the fabrication of the two front seat back frames checked. These will be replaced if found to be necessary. |
| 2007-04-13 | STOP LIGHT FAILURE Under particular circumstances of use the potential exists for the stop light switch to melt due to overheating of the grease in the circuit switches with the potential for coking of the contacts. This can result in failure of the stop lights and overheating at the pedal floor or smoke in the passenger compartment. Recalled vehicles will have the stop light switch replaced. |
| 2006-01-17 | GEARBOX MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE PARK POSITION Due to the possible non-conformity of the gearbox control there is a risk that the transmission may disengage from the parking position (without the footbrake having first been applied) Recalled vehicles will have the conformity of the gearbox control checked and replaced as necessary. |
| 2005-05-20 | STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY A risk exists that the steering column intermediate shaft has been incorrectly fitted. Recalled vehicles will have the position of the mounting yolk of the intermediate shaft checked and modified as necessary. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Renault Modus. 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.