Family SUV · 2005–2021 cars
Renault Kadjar reliability
The Renault Kadjar fails 20.8% of first MOT tests, 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 209,243 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Renault Kadjar before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 20.8%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 19% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 209,243
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,400
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
The Renault Kadjar is a below-average buy for MOT results. Of 209,243 MOT tests from 2022 to 2024, 20.8% of first-time tests failed, against 28.4% for all cars. Against cars of the same age and mileage, it has 19% more MOT fails. It ranks 53 of 59 family SUV models. Lights and electrics are the weakest area, with 50% more fails there than comparable cars.
2016 is the best year, with 14% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. 2018 is the weakest, with 31% more. A good Kadjar is still possible, so check the car in front of you. Check the dipped beam headlamp works (3.34% of tests), brake pads are not worn below 1.5mm (2.5%), tyre tread is not below 1.6mm (2.34%), and the wiper blades clear the windscreen (2.16%).
MOT fail rate by age
How the Renault Kadjar ages
Each point is the share of Renault Kadjars of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Renault Kadjar | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 14.3% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 17.5% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 20.2% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 22.5% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 25.1% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 28.5% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 34% | 28.8% |
By year
The best and worst Renault Kadjar years
2016 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 715 | 14.1% | 25% more fails | 25,266 |
| 2020 Kadjar | 14,860 | 13.8% | 15% more fails | 26,301 |
| 2019 Kadjar | 32,127 | 16.3% | 25% more fails | 30,549 |
| 2018 Kadjar | 37,307 | 19.8% | 31% more fails | 38,045 |
| 2017 Kadjar | 49,179 | 20.8% | 16% more fails | 46,436 |
| 2016 Kadjar | 64,827 | 24.1% | 14% more fails | 55,581 |
| 2015 Kadjar | 10,227 | 27.8% | 17% more fails | 63,030 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Renault Kadjar
Its weak spot is lights and electrics: 50% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics7%50% above avg
- Tyres6.8%25% above avg
- Brakes4%20% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.7%10% above avg
- Suspension3.4%12% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.1%10% below avg
- Steering0.5%16% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.4%56% below avg
- Wheels0.2%31% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.34% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.5% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.34% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.16% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.24% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 6
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.23% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 7
Coil spring fractured or broken 0.91% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 8
Headlamp aim set too high 0.89% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Renault Kadjar's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit14.37%
- Brake pads wearing thin11.15%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.52%
- Brake disc pitted or scored8.4%
- Child seat limits belt inspection4.04%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear2.55%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Renault Kadjar
- 1
Dipped beam headlamp not working
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Renault Kadjar covers about 8,400 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel55.2%
- Petrol44.8%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Red, Blue, Grey, Black, White
Average engine size: 1.4 litres.
Compare
How the Renault Kadjar compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz GLC | 11.3% | 33% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jaguar F-Pace | 13.4% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Yeti | 20.9% | 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda CX-5 | 18% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | 21.9% | 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai ix35 | 32.5% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Kadjar | 20.8% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family suv ranked in the family suv reliability index, or all Renault models.
Questions
Renault Kadjar questions, answered
Is the Renault Kadjar reliable?
On MOT results, the Renault Kadjar is below average: it fails 20.8% of first MOT tests, 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 53 of 59 family suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Renault Kadjar MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Renault Kadjar are dipped beam headlamp not working (3.34% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.5% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.34% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 7% of its tests.
Which Renault Kadjar year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (14% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (31% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Renault Kadjar do a year?
A typical Renault Kadjar covers about 8,400 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Renault Kadjar before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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