Verdict
Renaults pass their MOT first time on 59.7% of tests, against 69.1% for a typical vehicle of the same age and mileage, about 9 points below. They beat only 10% of cars on UK roads, ranking Renault 37th of 40 makes, well behind Ford and Vauxhall.
No Renault model beats half of cars. The SUVs do better than most Renaults: the rarer Koleos beats 40%, the Captur 27% and the Kadjar 23%. The Clio, the most-tested Renault, beats only 6% of cars and passes about 12 points below a typical car of its age and mileage; the Megane beats 11% and the Grand Scenic 9%.
The ZOE electric car beats only 1% of cars, the lowest of any Renault. The MOT does not test its battery or motor, so ask for a battery health report; electric cars also have no exhaust emissions test, which flatters the comparison a little. Vans pull the make down further, partly from commercial use: the Kangoo beats 8% and the Trafic 11%, though the larger Master beats 49%, the best Renault.
Renaults fail on steering more than 3 times as often as a typical vehicle (about 1 in 15 tests), on seat belts and airbags about 1.8 times and on suspension about 1.6 times (about 1 in 6 tests). Lights and electrics, brakes and visibility each fail about 1.4 times as often; only emissions and leaks fail clearly less often than typical.
Best Renault models
Models with 50,000+ MOT tests. Beats = share of cars on UK roads it does better than.
No Renault model beats half of cars.
Check most carefully
- ZOE Beats 1%
- Clio Beats 6%
- Kangoo Beats 8%
- Grand Scenic Beats 9%
- Twingo Beats 10%
Where it fails
Every Renault compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Renault models
Models with 20,000+ MOT tests, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate. Light vans are included and tend to grade lower, partly from hard commercial use.
| Model first registered | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clio 1995–2022 | 55.5% | Beats 6% | E |
| Megane 1999–2020 | 53.2% | Beats 11% | E |
| Captur 2013–2022 | 78.8% | Beats 27% | D |
| Trafic 2002–2023 | 57.6% | Beats 11% | E |
| Scenic 1999–2019 | 54.4% | Beats 16% | E |
| Kangoo 2000–2021 | 53.6% | Beats 8% | E |
| Kadjar 2015–2021 | 78.9% | Beats 23% | D |
| Grand Scenic 2004–2019 | 52.1% | Beats 9% | E |
| Twingo 2007–2018 | 65.2% | Beats 10% | E |
| Modus 2004–2011 | 50.3% | Beats 11% | E |
| Laguna 2000–2012 | 51.4% | Beats 30% | D |
| ZOE 2013–2022 | 76.8% | Beats 1% | E |
| Master 2000–2023 | 65.9% | Beats 49% | C |
| Koleos 2008–2020 | 69.6% | Beats 40% | D |
| Grand Modus 2008–2011 | 53.9% | Beats 10% | E |
FAQ
What is the Renault MOT pass rate?
59.7% of Renault MOT tests were passed first time, from 8.7 million tests. A typical vehicle of the same age and mileage passes 69.1%, so Renault is about 9 points below average.
Is Renault reliable?
On MOT results Renault is among the weakest makes: it beats 10% of cars on UK roads and ranks 37th of 40 makes. No Renault model beats half of cars. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which Renault model is most reliable?
The Master van, which beats 49% of cars once age and mileage are taken into account, then the rarer Koleos at 40%. Of the newer cars, the Captur does best at 27%, ahead of the Kadjar at 23%. All are still below average.
Which Renault models should I avoid?
The ZOE, Clio, Kangoo and Grand Scenic all beat fewer than one in ten cars, and the Megane only 11%. Check any of these carefully before buying.
What do Renaults fail the MOT on?
Lights and electrics most often, on about 1 in 5 tests, then suspension on about 1 in 6. Compared with typical vehicles, steering fails more than 3 times as often, seat belts and airbags about 1.8 times and suspension about 1.6 times.