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Renault Scenic Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Renault Scenic car check

Is the Renault Scenic reliable? We analysed 2,489,721 real MOT tests across 172,237 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,489,721 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
69.5%
Typical Mileage
55,729mi
Annual Mileage
6,650mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
26yrs

The Renault Scenic is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, position lamp(s) not working and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Renault Scenic.

Renault Scenic Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Renault Scenic. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Renault Scenic MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Renault Scenic to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

85.6%
2019
85.1%
2018
83.8%
2017
82.5%
2016
79.5%
2015
74.4%
2014
74.4%
2013
75.1%
2012
74.8%
2011
73.7%
2010
73.1%
2009
68.9%
2008
68.6%
2007
69.9%
2006
68.7%
2005
68.1%
2004
67.6%
2003
67.6%
2002
66.9%
2001
65.4%
2000

Renault Scenic Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Renault Scenic fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 108,325
position lamp(s) not working 70,652
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 64,273
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 60,499
Registration plate lamp not working 59,677
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 57,457
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 50,900
Stop lamp not working 38,515
brake binding 36,847
Direction indicator incorrect colour 36,641

Renault Scenic Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Renault Scenic owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
4,219 mi/yr
Typical
6,650 mi/yr
Average
7,666 mi/yr
Heavy usage
9,638 mi/yr

Renault Scenic MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Renault Scenic year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2019 1,483 85.6% 16,634 25,533 37,030
2018 3,647 85.1% 20,504 31,781 47,163
2017 8,552 83.8% 24,425 36,239 51,668
2016 9,702 82.5% 25,641 40,473 59,255
2015 32,353 79.5% 30,572 46,730 67,263
2014 40,963 74.4% 34,556 52,785 74,175
2013 42,923 74.4% 35,445 54,559 77,544
2012 44,522 75.1% 39,590 60,260 84,504
2011 82,601 74.8% 39,820 61,930 86,918
2010 141,649 73.7% 42,422 66,380 93,152
2009 56,219 73.1% 42,302 65,625 91,554
2008 141,837 68.9% 40,517 62,591 87,556
2007 255,336 68.6% 41,260 63,108 87,305
2006 280,819 69.9% 41,122 63,029 87,420
2005 305,840 68.7% 23,948 40,503 62,024
2004 479,388 68.1% 23,396 40,000 61,002
2003 225,306 67.6% 33,178 54,324 80,632
2002 145,340 67.6% 50,172 72,137 96,919
2001 114,083 66.9% 56,168 76,880 100,899
2000 58,283 65.4% 60,300 79,852 102,240

How Long Does a Renault Scenic Last?

Based on 172,237 Renault Scenic vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.0 years
Median
12.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
26 years

Renault Scenic Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Renault Scenic MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
55,729 mi
75th Percentile
81,716 mi
95th Percentile
123,248 mi
Max Recorded
999,302 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Renault Scenic

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2019

85.6% MOT pass rate from 1,483 tests

Year to avoid
1997

62.9% MOT pass rate from 588 tests

The best year to buy a used Renault Scenic is 2019, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.6% across 1,483 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Renault Scenic Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Renault Scenic THIS CAR 69.5% 2,489,721 55,729 mi 26 yrs
Renault Clio 67.1% 14,729,048 62,807 mi 33 yrs
Renault Megane 67.3% 7,306,346 70,453 mi 30 yrs
Renault Laguna 64.6% 2,783,232 89,257 mi 32 yrs
BMW 5 Series 80.5% 944,163 82,531 mi 35 yrs

Compared to the Renault Clio (67.1% pass rate) and the Renault Megane (67.3% pass rate), the Renault Scenic outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Renault Scenic?

The Renault Scenic has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.5% across 2,489,721 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Renault Scenic are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (108,325 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (70,652), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (64,273). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Renault Scenic owner drives around 6,650 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Renault Scenic models stay on UK roads for around 26 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Renault Scenic — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Renault Scenic reliable?
Based on 2,489,721 MOT tests, the Renault Scenic has a 69.5% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Renault Scenic?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, position lamp(s) not working, and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Renault Scenic do per year?
The typical Renault Scenic does around 6,650 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Renault Scenic last?
Most Renault Scenic models stay on UK roads for around 26 years based on our analysis of 172,237 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Renault Scenic?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Renault Scenic?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Renault Scenic is 2019 with a 85.6% pass rate across 1,483 tests.