Used buying checklist
Renault Scenic reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Renault Scenic looks worse than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 27.4% of 57,894 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
Start with suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, 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.
- 27.4% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 81,606 miles
- 15,834 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 (44.8 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include ball joint has excessive play, ball joint excessively worn, and play in steering rack inner joint(s).
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- ball joint has excessive play
- ball joint excessively worn
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)
- ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
- corroded and seriously weakened
- ferrule excessively corroded
- excessively corroded
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
- has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced
- Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights
Focus on suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical
The model's recorded failure rate is 27.4%, +8.6 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 analysed57,894 tests
- Median tested mileage81,606 miles
- Failed MOT tests15,834
Should you buy a used Renault Scenic?
72.6% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 27.4%, +8.6 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, corrosion and structure, 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 has excessive play"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
Start with suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, 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 (44.8 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 Scenic, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
The MOT failure rate rises from 12.5% at 0-3 years to 30.7% 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, corrosion and structure, 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.
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, corrosion and structure, 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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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (44.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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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 (25.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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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 (20.1 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 (8.0 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 (7.9 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 (2.0 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 Scenic, 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?
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (44.8 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 Scenic mainly involve 5 areas: brakes, mixed recall notices, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and suspension and steering. 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 Scenic, 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 suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 9,450 | 7,528 | 18.1%+7.3 percentage points vs all models | 37,620 miles |
| 50-100k | 30,963 | 22,052 | 27.8%+7.1 percentage points vs all models | 75,943 miles |
| 100-150k | 14,899 | 10,395 | 31.6%+5.4 percentage points vs all models | 115,899 miles |
| 150-200k | 1,840 | 1,262 | 32.9%+5.6 percentage points vs all models | 162,901 miles |
| 200k+ | 175 | 123 | 33.7%+7.2 percentage points vs all models | 212,861 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Renault Scenic, 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 12.5% at 0-3 years to 30.7% 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 30.7% for 15+ years cars, based on 17,254 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
8 | 7 | 12.5%+4.1 percentage points vs all models | 2.9 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
1,781 | 1,527 | 11.5%+0.9 percentage points vs all models | 5.2 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
12,337 | 9,254 | 22.8%+6.2 percentage points vs all models | 8.7 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
26,514 | 18,448 | 28.3%+4.8 percentage points vs all models | 12.6 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
17,254 | 12,137 | 30.7%+4.8 percentage points vs all models | 16.6 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.
| 2025-09-09 | Risk of parking brake actuator failing For certain vehicles a concern involving the electric traction reducer parking brake mechanism actuator or gearbox engagement actuator within the transmission may result in the parking brake mechanism actuator no longer correctly positioning the locking pawl in the “P lock”. Replacement of the electric traction reducer parking brake mechanism actuator or gearbox Engagement Actuator. |
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| 2019-11-19 | NOx SENSOR WAS NOT CORRECTLY TIGHTENED DURING MANUFACTURE NOx sensor was not correctly tightened during manufacture on the production line Tighten the NOx sensor to 32 Nm |
| 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. |
| 2016-11-04 | REAR BOLTS ON FRONT SEAT RUNNER MAY NOT BE TORQUED CORRECTLY The bolts that hold the front seats to the floor may not be correctly tightened. This may cause the seat to become insecure and control of the vehicle to be compromised. Prior to failure there will be increased movement of the seat when getting in and out of the vehicle which should be noticeable to the driver. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to check and where necessary adjust the torque tightening of the rear bolts on the front seat runners. |
| 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. |
| 2010-06-02 | UNEXPECTED APPLICATION OF PARKING BRAKE The parking brake may apply without input from the driver as a result of a programming error. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to check and where necessary reprogramme the electronic parking brake computer. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Renault Scenic. 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.