MPV and people carrier · 1999–2020 cars

Renault Scenic reliability

The Renault Scenic fails 44.1% of first MOT tests, 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 133,498 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Well below averageReliability score 26/100#41 of 49 mpv and people carriers

Checking a Renault Scenic before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 44.1%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 27% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 133,498; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 7,500; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the Renault Scenic ages

Each point is the share of Renault Scenics of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Renault ScenicAll cars

Renault Scenic first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Renault Scenic	All cars
3	12.7%	12.3%
4	15.5%	14.1%
5	19.2%	16.4%
6	23.8%	19.1%
7	30.7%	22.1%
8	36.9%	25.5%
9	39.7%	28.8%
10	43.2%	31.8%
11	45.2%	34.6%
12	45.7%	37.3%
13	46.9%	39.5%
14	49.4%	41.1%
15	52.1%	42.3%
16	51.7%	42.9%
17	52.9%	43.4%
18	52.6%	43.5%
19	48.7%	43.4%
20	47.4%	42.8%
21	47.6%	41.4%
22	46.5%	40.6%

By year

The best and worst Renault Scenic years

2002 cars come out best and 2014 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Renault Scenic MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2019	803	15.1%	29% more fails	21,988
2018 Scenic	1,852	15.9%	15% more fails	30,966
2017 Scenic	3,452	21%	28% more fails	38,418
2016 Scenic	3,236	24.3%	27% more fails	44,511
2015 Scenic	9,009	31%	37% more fails	55,247
2014 Scenic	9,344	39.5%	50% more fails	65,212
2013 Scenic	8,959	41.1%	39% more fails	70,775
2012 Scenic	8,369	42.5%	29% more fails	78,683
2011 Scenic	14,004	44.6%	25% more fails	84,396
2010 Scenic	20,781	46.6%	20% more fails	93,842
2009 Scenic	7,090	47.1%	18% more fails	93,058
2008 Scenic	10,798	51.7%	26% more fails	90,096
2007 Scenic	13,548	52.3%	24% more fails	91,533
2006 Scenic	9,441	52.2%	23% more fails	91,786
2005 Scenic	4,592	54.2%	46% more fails	63,146
2004 Scenic	3,066	49.9%	41% more fails	55,634
2003 Scenic	2,147	47.2%	13% more fails	90,566
2002 Scenic	1,664	45.8%	7% more fails	101,193
2001	989	46.7%	11% more fails	104,672
2000	299	50.5%	27% more fails	94,772

Common problems

What fails most on a Renault Scenic

Its weak spot is steering: 207% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics21.6%44% above avg
Suspension17.8%43% above avg
Brakes11.2%30% above avg
Steering7.8%207% above avg
Tyres7%4% above avg
Body, chassis and structure6.8%39% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.2%11% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.3%21% below avg
Seat belts and airbags1.4%7% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Coil spring fractured or broken 7.79% 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 6.4% 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 5.18% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
4
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.5% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
5
Stop lamp not working 4.34% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
6
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 4.24% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
7
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.72% 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 2.67% 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 Scenic's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit17.58%
Brake disc pitted or scored15.26%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.8%
Brake pads wearing thin9.13%
Slight play in steering rack joints8.88%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy7.19%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Renault Scenic

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
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
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 Scenic covers about 7,500 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

Diesel58.1%
Petrol41.8%
Other0.1%
LPG0%
Hybrid0%

Most common colours

Blue, Silver, Red, Grey, Black

Average engine size: 1.5 litres.

Compare

How the Renault Scenic compares with its rivals

Renault Scenic against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Volkswagen Sharan	25.4%	11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota Verso	27.6%	8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
SEAT Alhambra	26%	4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Galaxy	36.9%	8% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Grand C-Max	31%	15% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Scenic	44.1%	27% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Grand Scenic	46.3%	33% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every mpv and people carrier ranked in the mpv and people carrier reliability index, or all Renault models.

Questions

Renault Scenic questions, answered

Is the Renault Scenic reliable?

On MOT results, the Renault Scenic is well below average: it fails 44.1% of first MOT tests, 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 41 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.

What fails most on a Renault Scenic MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Renault Scenic are coil spring fractured or broken (7.79% of tests), position lamp not working (6.4% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (5.18% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 21.6% of its tests.

Which Renault Scenic year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2002 cars do best (7% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2014 cars do worst (50% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Renault Scenic do a year?

A typical Renault Scenic covers about 7,500 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 Scenic 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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