Family SUV · 2008–2021 cars
Renault Koleos reliability
The Renault Koleos fails 26% of first MOT tests, 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 14,566 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Renault Koleos before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 26%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 7% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 14,566
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 9,100
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Renault Koleos ages
Each point is the share of Renault Koleoss of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Renault Koleos | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 14.2% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 14.3% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 15.3% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 17.1% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 21.7% | 22.1% |
| 12 | 47.7% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 51.9% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 47.9% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 47.7% | 42.3% |
By year
The best and worst Renault Koleos years
2018 cars come out best and 2009 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Koleos | 1,146 | 14.7% | 15% more fails | 29,943 |
| 2019 Koleos | 2,969 | 13.4% | 4% fewer fails | 35,438 |
| 2018 Koleos | 3,377 | 14.3% | 12% fewer fails | 43,094 |
| 2017 Koleos | 2,449 | 19.1% | 5% more fails | 49,387 |
| 2010 | 300 | 44% | 8% more fails | 112,284 |
| 2009 Koleos | 3,308 | 49.4% | 16% more fails | 111,140 |
| 2008 | 994 | 49.9% | 15% more fails | 114,080 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Renault Koleos
Its weak spot is steering: 270% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics9.5%6% above avg
- Suspension8.9%31% above avg
- Brakes6.6%19% above avg
- Tyres5.3%13% below avg
- Steering5.1%270% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4%8% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.3%28% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure2.1%18% below avg
- Wheels0.4%18% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 3.72% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.34% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Position lamp not working 3.16% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.25% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 6
Diesel engine warning light faulty 1.82% of tests
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 7
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 1.81% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 8
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn 1.47% of tests
A worn linkage ball joint can rattle, affect handling and eventually fail, so it should be replaced.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Renault Koleos's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit15.04%
- Brake pads wearing thin12.72%
- Brake disc pitted or scored8.51%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear6.87%
- Slight play in steering rack joints5.17%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking3.75%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Renault Koleos
- 1
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 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
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 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 Koleos covers about 9,100 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
- Diesel99.8%
- Petrol0.2%
Most common colours
Black, Grey, Silver, Blue, White
Average engine size: 1.9 litres.
Compare
How the Renault Koleos compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Audi e-tron | 7.9% | 41% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Stelvio | 10.1% | 32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Maserati Levante | 11% | 31% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Daihatsu Terios | 39.8% | about average for its age |
| SEAT Tarraco | 14.2% | about average for its age |
| DS7 | 15.8% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Koleos | 26% | 7% 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 Koleos questions, answered
Is the Renault Koleos reliable?
On MOT results, the Renault Koleos is about average: it fails 26% of first MOT tests, 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 50 of 59 family suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Renault Koleos MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Renault Koleos are track rod end ball joint excessively worn (3.72% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (3.34% of tests), position lamp not working (3.16% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 9.5% of its tests.
Which Renault Koleos year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2018 cars do best (12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2009 cars do worst (16% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Renault Koleos do a year?
A typical Renault Koleos covers about 9,100 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 Koleos 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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