Renault Megane: what fails at MOT
142,000 MOT tests on the Renault Megane in 2024, counted. 43.4% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
43.4% of Renault Megane tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 32.5%, so the Megane does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (15.3% of tests), suspension (13.2% of tests) and brakes (8.9% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, suspension and brakes more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,509 | 15.5% | 10.9% | 24,000 16,700 to 36,600 |
| 2020 | 2,214 | 17.9% | 11.5% | 31,600 20,700 to 49,800 |
| 2019 | 4,136 | 18.7% | 13.4% | 35,000 26,000 to 50,700 |
| 2018 | 2,857 | 20.7% | 15.6% | 45,500 32,000 to 62,300 |
| 2017 | 7,452 | 24.6% | 18.2% | 58,000 44,100 to 74,200 |
| 2016 | 7,257 | 29.5% | 21.3% | 63,400 45,900 to 83,100 |
| 2015 | 9,048 | 37.7% | 24.4% | 75,800 57,200 to 99,400 |
| 2014 | 9,355 | 46.5% | 27.7% | 84,600 64,700 to 108,100 |
| 2013 | 9,588 | 44.7% | 30.6% | 91,600 68,300 to 115,800 |
| 2012 | 12,113 | 45.5% | 33.4% | 96,500 74,800 to 120,800 |
| 2011 | 17,144 | 48.3% | 36.1% | 98,300 77,000 to 123,200 |
| 2010 | 21,071 | 49.8% | 38.6% | 102,300 81,800 to 126,700 |
| 2009 | 13,388 | 45.9% | 39.8% | 109,800 85,300 to 126,000 |
| 2008 | 7,632 | 53.2% | 41.5% | 97,000 76,000 to 123,600 |
| 2007 | 8,417 | 52.5% | 41.5% | 97,300 75,800 to 120,600 |
| 2006 | 4,775 | 52.8% | 42.4% | 96,500 74,500 to 121,400 |
| 2005 | 2,952 | 52.0% | 42.2% | 94,600 71,600 to 119,500 |
| 2004 | 1,535 | 51.1% | 42.3% | 97,100 73,000 to 122,200 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Renault Megane tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Megane | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics More than most | 15.3% | 9.7% |
| Suspension More than most | 13.2% | 8.2% |
| Brakes More than most | 8.9% | 5.6% |
| Steering More than most | 6.0% | 1.8% |
| Tyres | 5.1% | 4.6% |
| Body and structure More than most | 4.1% | 3.1% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.5% | 3.5% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.1% | 2.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Track rod end5.4%
- Coil spring5.4%
- Brake light5.2%
- Ball joint4.3%
- Side light4.0%
- Headlamp aim4.0%
- Headlamp3.6%
- Driveshaft joint3.1%
- Tyre3.1%
- Brake test2.8%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken5.3%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play5.0%
- Brake light: not working4.8%
- Ball joint: excessively worn4.0%
- Side light: not working3.6%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.0%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.5%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements2.3%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.2%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.2%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge14.6%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened12.6%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing6.5%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.9%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material5.1%
- Ball joint: has slight play4.3%
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)4.1%
- Track rod end: ball joint has slight play3.7%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
Check a Renault Megane's own MOT record
Looking at a Megane? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.