Renault Megane Scenic

What fails its inspection

Great Britain's MOT record for the 2002 1.6 petrol. 242 of 889 tests failed, 27%.

Better than 49% of 2002 cars. The typical one fails 27%, across 558 models with enough tests behind them to say.

The defects inspectors cite

• A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
• Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
• A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
• A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play
• A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
• The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements

Where it stands out against its peers

• Visibility: failed more often than 96% of 2002 cars — 31% of its 242 failed tests, where an ordinary 2002 car has 11%.

Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.

NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.

Before you buy one

Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.

• Brakes — 38% of its failures
  • A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
  • Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
• Suspension — 36% of its failures
  • A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
• Tyres and wheels — 20% of its failures
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
• Lights and electrics — 38% of its failures
• Visibility — 31% of its failures
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
• Body and structure — 19% of its failures

When it starts failing

At 160–180k miles this one fails 22% of its inspections, against the 31% an ordinary car of the same age fails.

852 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.

Half of these have more than 100k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.

Specification