Renault Megane Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The Renault Megane passes its MOT first time on 53.2% of tests, 10.3 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (63.5%). That puts it ahead of 11% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2002 Megane does best (beats 45% of cars) and the 2014 worst (beats 1%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Petrol does best (beats 47%) and the 1.5 Diesel worst (beats 9%).

Better than average on emissions & leaks.

Watch these weak spots

Lights & electrics1.5×as often as a typical car

Suspension1.4×as often as a typical car

Track rod ends3.7×as often as a typical car

Brake lights2.2×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.

Renault MeganeTypical 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.

Beats 29%

Beats 27%

Beats 42%

Beats 45%

Beats 27%

Beats 18%

Beats 17%

Beats 14%

Beats 13%

Beats 15%

Beats 14%

Beats 12%

Beats 9%

Beats 8%

Beats 4%

Beats 1%

Beats 4%

Beats 8%

Beats 7%

Beats 5%

Beats 4%

Beats 6%

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.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Diesel	2003–2020	473,157	54.7%	Beats 9%	E
1.6 Petrol	1999–2015	410,190	49.1%	Beats 10%	E
1.4 Petrol	2000–2012	70,216	47.1%	Beats 13%	E
1.9 Diesel	2002–2012	66,046	48.5%	Beats 17%	E
2.0 Petrol	2004–2016	57,999	61.5%	Beats 47%	C
1.6 Diesel	2012–2017	33,128	66.8%	Beats 10%	E
1.2 Petrol	2015–2018	16,470	78.2%	Beats 8%	E
1.3 Petrol	2018–2020	10,296	79.0%	Beats 2%	E
2.0 Diesel	2007–2010	6,443	49.5%	Beats 24%	D
1.8 Petrol	2019–2020	3,010	87.4%	Beats 53%	C

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.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Lights: 24.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 16.3% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Lights & electrics

24.1% vs 16.3%

Suspension

18.3% vs 12.8%

Brakes

13.1% vs 9.2%

Steering

8.6% vs 2.6%

Tyres

8.1% vs 7.4%

Body & structure

6.9% vs 4.7%

Visibility

6.8% vs 5.9%

Emissions & leaks

3.0% vs 4.2%

Seat belts & airbags

2.2% vs 1.4%

Wheels

0.5% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Track rod ends 3.7× typical
Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres.
Brake lights 2.2× typical
Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
Coil springs 2.1× typical
Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
Headlight bulbs & units 2.0× typical
Check dipped and main beam on both sides.
Suspension ball joints 2.4× typical
Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
Brake discs 3.0× typical
Look through the wheel spokes for scored discs or a heavy rust lip on the edge.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

Renault MeganeTypical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Coil springs	7.1%	3.4%	2.1×
Brake lights	6.9%	3.1%	2.2×
Track rod ends	6.5%	1.8%	3.7×
Sidelights	6.0%	4.1%	1.5×
Headlight bulbs & units	5.7%	2.9%	2.0×
Headlight aim	5.6%	4.1%	1.4×
Drive shaft (CV) joints	5.0%	1.8%	2.7×
Suspension ball joints	4.7%	1.9%	2.4×
Tyre tread depth	3.9%	3.2%	1.2×
Tyre damage & cracking	3.7%	3.8%	1.0×

Specific defects found

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

Defect	per 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn	81.2
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened	71.3
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play	64.3
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	63.6
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	56.0
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc	50.5
A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED	44.5
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	42.2

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 Megane3 engines80.1% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Diesel	1,562	74.5%	Beats 4%	E
1.3 Petrol	1,458	81.4%	Beats 3%	E
1.8 Petrol	1,014	87.1%	Beats 35%	D

2019 Renault Megane3 engines77.9% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.3 Petrol	6,722	78.4%	Beats 2%	E
1.5 Diesel	3,478	71.1%	Beats 2%	E
1.8 Petrol	1,996	87.6%	Beats 61%	B

2018 Renault Megane3 engines76.2% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Diesel	4,429	72.5%	Beats 5%	E
1.2 Petrol	3,538	79.1%	Beats 6%	E
1.3 Petrol	2,116	79.3%	Beats 4%	E

2017 Renault Megane3 engines74.4% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Diesel	18,083	73.4%	Beats 7%	E
1.6 Diesel	7,141	72.7%	Beats 5%	E
1.2 Petrol	6,551	78.9%	Beats 8%	E

2016 Renault Megane4 engines72.8% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Diesel	26,960	71.7%	Beats 8%	E
1.2 Petrol	4,871	77.5%	Beats 10%	E
1.6 Diesel	3,840	69.8%	Beats 4%	E
2.0 Petrol	1,711	82.2%	Beats 52%	C

2015 Renault Megane5 engines66.6% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Diesel	46,378	64.7%	Beats 3%	E
1.6 Diesel	5,777	70.9%	Beats 12%	E
2.0 Petrol	2,521	81.0%	Beats 60%	C
1.6 Petrol	2,321	71.5%	Beats 7%	E
1.2 Petrol	1,510	74.8%	Beats 9%	E

2014 Renault Megane4 engines57.4% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Diesel	50,584	55.9%	Beats 1%	E
1.6 Petrol	5,775	57.6%	Beats 0%	E
1.6 Diesel	5,695	65.4%	Beats 11%	E
2.0 Petrol	1,329	80.6%	Beats 76%	B

2013 Renault Megane4 engines56.9% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Diesel	44,466	55.8%	Beats 4%	E
1.6 Petrol	11,629	55.6%	Beats 1%	E
1.6 Diesel	6,211	62.6%	Beats 17%	E
2.0 Petrol	1,601	75.0%	Beats 67%	B

2012 Renault Megane6 engines55.5% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Diesel	48,896	54.6%	Beats 9%	E
1.6 Petrol	18,742	53.6%	Beats 2%	E
1.6 Diesel	4,464	57.4%	Beats 14%	E
1.9 Diesel	3,712	58.7%	Beats 13%	E
1.4 Petrol	2,720	63.3%	Beats 11%	E
2.0 Petrol	2,685	71.3%	Beats 63%	B

2011 Renault Megane5 engines53.2% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Diesel	50,183	53.2%	Beats 14%	E
1.6 Petrol	48,028	51.0%	Beats 4%	E
1.9 Diesel	12,628	53.5%	Beats 11%	E
1.4 Petrol	7,497	57.0%	Beats 9%	E
2.0 Petrol	5,159	68.2%	Beats 56%	C

2010 Renault Megane6 engines51.0% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	67,013	50.3%	Beats 8%	E
1.5 Diesel	63,840	49.1%	Beats 13%	E
2.0 Petrol	9,484	65.0%	Beats 60%	C
1.9 Diesel	9,038	51.2%	Beats 15%	E
1.4 Petrol	4,865	56.7%	Beats 14%	E
2.0 Diesel	1,304	51.2%	Beats 14%	E

2009 Renault Megane4 engines49.3% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	48,779	49.6%	Beats 11%	E
1.5 Diesel	33,633	48.3%	Beats 16%	E
1.9 Diesel	5,605	47.4%	Beats 14%	E
2.0 Petrol	3,651	56.9%	Beats 24%	D

2008 Renault Megane6 engines48.1% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	38,243	48.6%	Beats 12%	E
1.5 Diesel	21,922	45.9%	Beats 16%	E
1.4 Petrol	6,189	43.7%	Beats 6%	E
1.9 Diesel	4,949	47.4%	Beats 17%	E
2.0 Petrol	4,273	61.5%	Beats 60%	B
2.0 Diesel	2,062	49.3%	Beats 24%	D

2007 Renault Megane6 engines45.9% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	47,417	45.7%	Beats 10%	E
1.5 Diesel	22,468	43.4%	Beats 14%	E
1.4 Petrol	9,733	41.6%	Beats 6%	E
2.0 Petrol	8,829	57.2%	Beats 49%	C
1.9 Diesel	8,033	45.1%	Beats 15%	E
2.0 Diesel	3,077	48.9%	Beats 28%	D

2006 Renault Megane5 engines44.2% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	36,327	44.1%	Beats 11%	E
1.5 Diesel	17,071	43.5%	Beats 17%	E
1.9 Diesel	8,224	43.2%	Beats 16%	E
2.0 Petrol	7,165	50.7%	Beats 29%	D
1.4 Petrol	6,260	40.2%	Beats 6%	E

2005 Renault Megane5 engines44.4% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	25,375	43.8%	Beats 14%	E
1.5 Diesel	11,135	43.7%	Beats 22%	D
1.4 Petrol	8,025	40.5%	Beats 9%	E
1.9 Diesel	6,808	45.0%	Beats 24%	D
2.0 Petrol	6,176	52.4%	Beats 38%	D

2004 Renault Megane5 engines42.7% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	13,764	41.6%	Beats 14%	E
1.5 Diesel	6,387	42.8%	Beats 24%	D
1.4 Petrol	6,254	40.0%	Beats 12%	E
1.9 Diesel	3,811	43.6%	Beats 25%	D
2.0 Petrol	3,415	50.8%	Beats 37%	D

2003 Renault Megane4 engines46.4% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	9,990	47.6%	Beats 29%	D
1.4 Petrol	4,410	45.3%	Beats 23%	D
1.9 Diesel	1,848	45.1%	Beats 30%	D
1.5 Diesel	1,682	43.2%	Beats 27%	D

2002 Renault Megane3 engines52.8% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	16,039	53.3%	Beats 45%	C
1.4 Petrol	7,698	52.3%	Beats 44%	C
1.9 Diesel	1,390	50.6%	Beats 47%	C

2001 Renault Megane2 engines52.7% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	12,276	53.7%	Beats 45%	C
1.4 Petrol	4,943	50.3%	Beats 33%	D

2000 Renault Megane2 engines50.4% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	6,181	51.0%	Beats 30%	D
1.4 Petrol	1,622	48.0%	Beats 19%	E

1999 Renault Megane1 engine52.9% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	2,291	52.9%	Beats 29%	D

FAQ

What is the Renault Megane MOT pass rate?

53.2% of MOT tests on the Renault Megane were passed first time, based on 1,146,955 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1999–2020. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 63.5% of the time.

Is the Renault Megane reliable?

On MOT results it rates E (poor): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 11% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Renault Megane year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2002 Megane does best for its age and mileage: it beats 45% of cars on UK roads. The 2014 does worst: it beats 1%.

Which Renault Megane engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Petrol does best: it beats 47% of cars on UK roads. The 1.5 Diesel does worst: it beats 9%.

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

The most common failure items are coil springs, brake lights, track rod ends. Compared with similar cars, track rod ends comes up 3.7× 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.

Renault Megane reliability

Verdict

Watch these weak spots

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ