Used car guide · 2013–2026

Renault Captur common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Renault Captur, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 458,011 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Renault Captur

Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Renault Captur as a whole.

6,812registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Petrolmost common fuel (also diesel)
What to check on a 2026 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013

What usually goes wrong with a Renault Captur?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Cambelt due every 6 years or 90,000 miles

    Cars registered 2013–2019 · 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

  • Oil burning (1.2 TCe / DIG-T petrol)

    Cars registered 2013–2018 · 1.2 TCe / DIG-T turbo petrol

    The 1.2 turbo petrol shared by Renault and Nissan (TCe or DIG-T) can burn oil, and some owners have needed a replacement engine. Running low on oil makes it worse.

    At the viewing: Check the oil level on the dipstick, look for blue smoke from the exhaust, and ask how often it needs topping up. It should be checked every 1,000–2,000 miles.

    Source: Auto Express: used Renault Kadjar (2015 on) review, Car Mechanics: buying and owning the Nissan Qashqai J11 (2013-2021)

  • Gearbox complaints

    Cars registered 2013–2019 · 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

  • Electrical, infotainment and warning light faults

    Cars registered 2020–2025 · All engines

    The most common complaints are faulty infotainment, warning lights and keyless entry not locking or unlocking, with some long repair waits.

    At the viewing: Use the screen, lock and unlock with the key, and check no warnings show.

    Source: What Car?: used Renault Captur (2020 on) reliability

  • Wheelarch liner recall (early cars)

    Cars registered 2013–2015 · 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

  • Erratic stop-start

    Cars registered 2013–2019 · 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

  • Automatic gearbox faults (isolated)

    Cars registered 2020–2025 · Automatic

    There are isolated reports of gearbox faults, mainly on automatics.

    At the viewing: Drive in traffic and feel for jerky or slow changes.

    Source: What Car?: used Renault Captur (2020 on) reliability

Common Renault Captur MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Ball joint

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Link ball joint covers

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013 and 2015.

    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.

  • Brake lights

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 1.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

Diesel

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

  • Braking performance

    up to 3.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Ball joint

    up to 3.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 4.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    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.

  • Engine warning light

    up to 6.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Renault Captur MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2021 Renault Captur did best (91% passed first time, 4 points above all 2021 cars) and the 2013 did worst (57%, 10 points below all 2013 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202395%92% +3439 (small sample)
202292%89% +39,318
202191%87% +419,917
202089%87% +239,555
201984%85% -159,110
201882%83% -161,310
201780%80% +057,478
201676%77% -171,996
201569%74% -567,656
201466%70% -454,170
201357%67% -1017,062

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Renault Captur

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. How often does it need oil between services, and has there been any engine work?
  3. Has the gearbox had any work?
  4. Has the wheelarch liner recall been done?
  5. Has the battery been replaced?
  6. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the Renault Captur as on other cars the same age.)

Looking at a Renault Captur?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score