Used car guide

2012 Renault Grand Modus diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Renault Grand Modus first registered in 2012 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 165 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 165 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

165MOTs of 2012 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
45%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%)
6,600typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for coil springs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Renault Grand Modus diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Renault Grand Modus diesel than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Coil springs2.2× usual
    Renault Grand Modus
    18.8% All 2012 cars
    8.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 17%, against 3.8% of all 2012 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.

Common 2012 Renault Grand Modus diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Renault Grand Modus diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% 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
    42% 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
    34% 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
    32% 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.

  • 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.

  • Steering
    7% 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 2012 Renault Grand Modus diesel

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

  1. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2012 Renault Grand Modus diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Renault Grand Modus?

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 Grand Modus compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20112,228Suspension 49%
20102,569Suspension 45%
20091,386Suspension 46%
20082,685Suspension 48%

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 Grand Modus cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score