Renault Twingo: what fails at MOT
29,000 MOT tests on the Renault Twingo in 2024, counted. 38.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
38.9% of Renault Twingo tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 32.1%, so the Twingo does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (12.5% of tests), lights and electrics (9.3% of tests) and brakes (6.1% of tests). It fails on suspension, wipers, washers and windscreen and exhaust and emissions 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 807 | 18.3% | 15.6% | 25,400 16,500 to 39,500 |
| 2017 | 1,354 | 17.9% | 18.2% | 29,600 18,400 to 42,000 |
| 2016 | 2,963 | 25.6% | 21.3% | 38,800 25,800 to 51,200 |
| 2015 | 4,743 | 32.0% | 24.4% | 45,800 32,700 to 59,900 |
| 2014 | 894 | 34.6% | 27.7% | 50,500 35,300 to 65,900 |
| 2013 | 1,286 | 40.7% | 30.6% | 55,900 38,100 to 74,000 |
| 2012 | 1,651 | 43.6% | 33.4% | 64,200 47,800 to 83,300 |
| 2011 | 3,385 | 45.3% | 36.1% | 69,900 51,000 to 89,400 |
| 2010 | 5,326 | 45.8% | 38.6% | 74,000 54,500 to 92,600 |
| 2009 | 2,179 | 44.8% | 39.8% | 75,400 54,400 to 95,700 |
| 2008 | 3,633 | 48.2% | 41.5% | 86,200 67,200 to 105,300 |
| 2007 | 633 | 46.3% | 41.5% | 83,900 66,600 to 103,300 |
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 Twingo tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Twingo | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension More than most | 12.5% | 8.1% |
| Lights and electrics | 9.3% | 9.4% |
| Brakes | 6.1% | 5.5% |
| Tyres | 5.4% | 4.7% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen More than most | 4.7% | 3.4% |
| Exhaust and emissions More than most | 4.1% | 2.6% |
| Steering More than most | 3.9% | 1.7% |
| Body and structure | 2.7% | 2.9% |
The parts that fail most
- Coil spring4.9%
- Ball joint3.9%
- Track rod end3.7%
- Side light3.1%
- Tyre3.0%
- Washers2.8%
- Tyre tread2.6%
- Exhaust emissions2.6%
- Brake pipes2.0%
- Headlamp aim1.9%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken4.8%
- Ball joint: excessively worn3.7%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.4%
- Side light: not working2.5%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
- Exhaust emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits1.9%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded1.9%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.7%
- Horn: not working1.6%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.5%
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 edge14.0%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material8.0%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.2%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive6.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.1%
- Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.0%
- Brake pads: wearing thin2.9%
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
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “Has it ever failed on emissions or an exhaust leak, and what was done about it?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
Check a Renault Twingo's own MOT record
Looking at a Twingo? 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.