Small car · 2004–2013 cars
Renault Modus reliability
The Renault Modus fails 49.6% of first MOT tests, 32% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 45,872 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Renault Modus before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 49.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 32% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 45,872
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,100
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Renault Modus ages
Each point is the share of Renault Moduss of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Renault Modus | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 46.1% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 44.7% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 45.7% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 47.7% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 47% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 50% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 51.8% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 51.5% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 52.8% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 50.6% | 43.4% |
By year
The best and worst Renault Modus years
2009 cars come out best and 2011 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 438 | 45.9% | 65% more fails | 51,746 |
| 2011 Modus | 4,373 | 48% | 58% more fails | 55,825 |
| 2010 Modus | 5,371 | 45% | 31% more fails | 66,553 |
| 2009 Modus | 3,294 | 45.1% | 26% more fails | 68,353 |
| 2008 Modus | 6,261 | 49.2% | 28% more fails | 76,335 |
| 2007 Modus | 6,459 | 49.2% | 28% more fails | 71,583 |
| 2006 Modus | 7,495 | 51.6% | 30% more fails | 76,244 |
| 2005 Modus | 9,725 | 52.6% | 30% more fails | 77,010 |
| 2004 Modus | 2,453 | 52.6% | 29% more fails | 79,357 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Renault Modus
Its weak spot is steering: 174% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics27.9%64% above avg
- Suspension22.6%64% above avg
- Brakes12.3%27% above avg
- Tyres7.7%21% above avg
- Steering7.4%174% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.1%3% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure4.1%33% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags3.9%137% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.9%22% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken 10.3% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Position lamp not working 7.92% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 5.73% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 4
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.79% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 5
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 4.61% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 6
Stop lamp not working 4.04% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 7
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.77% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 8
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.95% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Renault Modus's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit17.39%
- Brake disc pitted or scored13.96%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.85%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive9.58%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy9.18%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion5.38%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Renault Modus
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
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.
- 3
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.
- 4
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 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 Modus covers about 5,100 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
- Petrol75%
- Diesel25%
Most common colours
Silver, Blue, Red, Black, Beige
Average engine size: 1.4 litres.
Compare
How the Renault Modus compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Almera | 44.5% | 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat Grande Punto | 45% | 15% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Splash | 35.4% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Modus | 49.6% | 32% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Dacia Logan | 28.7% | 35% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MG 3 | 23.4% | 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Zoe | 26.5% | 76% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Renault models.
Questions
Renault Modus questions, answered
Is the Renault Modus reliable?
On MOT results, the Renault Modus is well below average: it fails 49.6% of first MOT tests, 32% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 51 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Renault Modus MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Renault Modus are coil spring fractured or broken (10.3% of tests), position lamp not working (7.92% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (5.73% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 27.9% of its tests.
Which Renault Modus year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2009 cars do best (26% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2011 cars do worst (58% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Renault Modus do a year?
A typical Renault Modus covers about 5,100 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 Modus 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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