City car · 1996–2019 cars
Renault Twingo reliability
The Renault Twingo fails 36.6% of first MOT tests, 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 82,265 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Renault Twingo before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 36.6%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 33% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 82,265
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,300
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Renault Twingo ages
Each point is the share of Renault Twingos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Renault Twingo | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 15.6% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 15.2% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 18.8% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 23.5% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 26.5% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 30.9% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 35% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 40.3% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 43.3% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 43.8% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 45.6% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 46.4% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 46.5% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 49.4% | 42.9% |
By year
The best and worst Renault Twingo years
2007 cars come out best and 2013 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 512 | 14.1% | 40% more fails | 14,932 |
| 2018 Twingo | 2,422 | 17.3% | 45% more fails | 20,501 |
| 2017 Twingo | 4,204 | 17.5% | 30% more fails | 24,129 |
| 2016 Twingo | 8,981 | 24.5% | 49% more fails | 33,028 |
| 2015 Twingo | 15,121 | 28.9% | 48% more fails | 40,588 |
| 2014 Twingo | 2,779 | 31.3% | 43% more fails | 44,581 |
| 2013 Twingo | 3,307 | 39.4% | 54% more fails | 51,743 |
| 2012 Twingo | 4,287 | 40.1% | 38% more fails | 59,465 |
| 2011 Twingo | 8,623 | 44.9% | 39% more fails | 65,884 |
| 2010 Twingo | 14,243 | 44.8% | 29% more fails | 69,210 |
| 2009 Twingo | 5,694 | 42.9% | 18% more fails | 72,008 |
| 2008 Twingo | 10,011 | 47.9% | 20% more fails | 82,945 |
| 2007 Twingo | 1,702 | 46.7% | 16% more fails | 81,226 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Renault Twingo
Its weak spot is steering: 203% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension15.8%78% above avg
- Lights and electrics11.8%11% above avg
- Brakes8.1%34% above avg
- Tyres7.4%30% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.6%44% above avg
- Steering5%203% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.6%69% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure3.1%1% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.8%134% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.68% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 3.89% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 3.74% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.02% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Position lamp not working 2.79% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 6
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.52% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 7
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.22% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.85% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Renault Twingo's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit15.24%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.6%
- Brake disc pitted or scored9.01%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy8.89%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive6.4%
- Anti-roll bar linkage pin/bush worn4.47%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Renault Twingo
- 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
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.
- 3
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 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 Twingo covers about 5,300 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
- Petrol99.9%
- Diesel0.1%
Most common colours
Blue, Black, White, Red, Silver
Average engine size: 1.1 litres.
Compare
How the Renault Twingo compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Celerio | 14.6% | 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Smart Fortwo | 20.8% | 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Abarth 595 | 18.6% | 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Fox | 47.2% | 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat 500C | 31.5% | 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Smart Forfour | 25.6% | 30% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Twingo | 36.6% | 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Renault models.
Questions
Renault Twingo questions, answered
Is the Renault Twingo reliable?
On MOT results, the Renault Twingo is well below average: it fails 36.6% of first MOT tests, 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 39 of 43 city car models in our index.
What fails most on a Renault Twingo MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Renault Twingo are coil spring fractured or broken (5.68% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (3.89% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (3.74% of tests). By area, suspension fails 15.8% of its tests.
Which Renault Twingo year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2007 cars do best (16% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2013 cars do worst (54% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Renault Twingo do a year?
A typical Renault Twingo covers about 5,300 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 Twingo 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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