2013 Renault Captur diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Renault Captur diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Renault Captur diesel than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Coil springs2.5× usual
  Renault Captur

  18.8% All 2013 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 17%, against 3.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Ball joint3.2× usual
  Renault Captur

  14.9% All 2013 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.5%, against 2.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints4.1× usual
  Renault Captur

  11.4% All 2013 cars

  2.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 1.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Number plate lights1.8× usual
  Renault Captur

  10.2% All 2013 cars

  5.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.9× usual
  Renault Captur

  5.6% All 2013 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Common 2013 Renault Captur diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Renault Captur diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  41% 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.

• Tyres
  39% 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.

• Brakes
  28% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  22% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Driveshafts and joints
  11% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2013 Renault Captur diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Cambelt due every 6 years or 90,000 miles

  All engines

  Every Captur engine uses a cambelt, and it's an expensive job if it's due soon. If it snaps it can wreck the engine.

  At the viewing: Look for a receipt for the cambelt change in the service history.

  If it needs doing: Timing belt (cambelt) change, about £300–£700 (often with the water pump). ClickMechanic

  Source: Carbuyer: used Renault Captur Mk1 reliability

• Wheelarch liner recall (early cars)

  Built before April 2015

  Some cars built before April 2015 had front wheelarch liners that could rub the brake hoses and cause a brake fluid leak.

  At the viewing: Ask a Renault dealer to check the VIN for the recall.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Renault Captur Mk1 reliability

• Gearbox complaints

  All engines

  Gearbox problems were the top complaint from Captur owners in Carbuyer's survey.

  At the viewing: Try every gear, and on automatics pull away gently several times to check for judder.

  If it needs doing: Gearbox sensor or solenoid, about £200–£500. ClickMechanic

  Source: Carbuyer: used Renault Captur Mk1 reliability

• Erratic stop-start

  All engines

  The stop-start can work on and off or stop working, often from a sensor or a weak battery.

  At the viewing: Watch whether stop-start works in traffic, and ask how old the battery is.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Renault Captur Mk1 reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Renault Captur diesel

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

1. When was the cambelt last changed?
2. Has the wheelarch liner recall been done?
3. Has the gearbox had any work?
4. Has the battery been replaced?
5. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2013 Renault Captur diesel as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2013 Renault Captur diesel as on other cars the same age.)