Used car guide

2002 Renault Avantime: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Renault Avantime first registered in 2002: we looked at the 354 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 354 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

354MOTs of 2002 cars, done in 2023–2025
67%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 58%)
4,600typical miles a year
3.5×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2002 Renault Avantime?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2002 Renault Avantime than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.5× usual
    Renault Avantime
    12.4% All 2002 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Sub-frame2.8× usual
    Renault Avantime
    12.4% All 2002 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.2% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Common 2002 Renault Avantime MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2002 Renault Avantime MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    40% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    40% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    27% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    21% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    20% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Steering
    16% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2002 Renault Avantime

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2002 Renault Avantime as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2002 Renault Avantime as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Renault Avantime?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Renault Avantime compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2003150Brakes 38%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Renault Avantime cars first registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score