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Renault Koleos reliability

D · Below average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 28,371 MOT tests of cars first registered 2008–2020.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
69.6%pass first time
−1.8 ptsvs typical car
Beats 40%of cars
28,371MOT tests

Verdict

The Renault Koleos passes its MOT first time on 69.6% of tests, 1.8 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (71.3%). That puts it ahead of 40% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2018 Koleos does best (beats 66% of cars) and the 2020 worst (beats 29%).

Better than average on tyres, body & structure.

Watch these weak spots

Suspension1.3×as often as a typical car
Steering3.4×as often as a typical car
Track rod ends4.2×as often as a typical car
Sidelights1.7×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

40%60%80%100%345678910111213141588%85%80%64%55%50%50%
Renault KoleosTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2008
Beats 40%
2009
Beats 30%
2017
Beats 53%
2018
Beats 66%
2019
Beats 48%
2020
Beats 29%

Engines

All years, 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.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2008–201925,27068.2%Beats 41%C
1.6 Diesel2017–20182,09179.0%Beats 28%D
1.7 Diesel2020–20201,01084.0%Beats 29%D

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 3.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 11.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 12.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 11.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 5.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 7.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 12.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 11.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−1.1 ptsTyres: 5.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.4 ptsBrakes: 7.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−0.6 ptsSuspension: 11.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−2.5 ptsExhaust: 3.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.8 ptsSuspension: 11.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 7.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 5.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 12.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 11.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 3.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 12.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 11.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−1.1 ptsTyres: 5.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.4 ptsBrakes: 7.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−0.6 ptsSuspension: 11.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−2.5 ptsExhaust: 3.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.8 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 11.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
12.6% vs 11.5%
Suspension
11.3% vs 8.8%
Brakes
7.2% vs 6.6%
Steering
5.6% vs 1.6%
Tyres
5.4% vs 6.8%
Visibility
4.4% vs 4.8%
Emissions & leaks
3.9% vs 3.2%
Body & structure
2.3% vs 3.1%
Wheels
0.5% vs 0.4%
Seat belts & airbags
0.3% vs 0.9%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Track rod ends 4.2× typical
    Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres.
  • Sidelights 1.7× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Brake pads 1.9× typical
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Engine warning light 2.4× typical
    The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.
  • Anti-roll bar links 3.4× typical
    A knock or rattle over uneven roads usually means worn anti-roll bar links (cheap to fix).
  • Suspension ball joints 2.2× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

40%60%80%100%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k91%85%78%66%57%50%
Renault KoleosTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Track rod ends5.0%1.2%4.2×
Sidelights4.9%2.9%1.7×
Brake pads4.2%2.2%1.9×
Headlight aim3.6%3.2%1.1×
Engine warning light3.4%1.4%2.4×
Suspension ball joints2.9%1.3%2.2×
Tyre damage & cracking2.7%3.8%0.7×
Anti-roll bar links2.5%0.8%3.4×
Tyre tread depth2.4%2.8%0.9×
Suspension arm bushes2.4%1.1%2.2×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn75.8
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play47.0
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm39.9
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning38.6
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements36.3
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction34.0
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements24.5
A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded22.2
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. 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.

2020 Renault Koleos1 engine84.0% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.7 Diesel1,01084.0%Beats 29%D
2019 Renault Koleos1 engine84.2% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel4,49384.2%Beats 48%C
2018 Renault Koleos2 engines84.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel4,47485.7%Beats 76%B
1.6 Diesel1,04578.7%Beats 23%D
2017 Renault Koleos2 engines81.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel3,41582.4%Beats 59%C
1.6 Diesel1,04679.3%Beats 33%D
2009 Renault Koleos1 engine52.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel9,86952.5%Beats 30%D
2008 Renault Koleos1 engine53.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel3,01953.8%Beats 40%C

FAQ

What is the Renault Koleos MOT pass rate?

69.6% of MOT tests on the Renault Koleos were passed first time, based on 28,371 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2008–2020. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 71.3% of the time.

Is the Renault Koleos reliable?

On MOT results it rates D (below average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 40% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Renault Koleos year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2018 Koleos does best for its age and mileage: it beats 66% of cars on UK roads. The 2020 does worst: it beats 29%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Renault Koleos?

The most common failure items are track rod ends, sidelights, brake pads. Compared with similar cars, track rod ends comes up 4.2× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.