2016 Renault Kadjar petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Renault Kadjar petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Renault Kadjar petrol than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Brake pads1.6× usual
  Renault Kadjar

  17.3% All 2016 cars

  10.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 2.2% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Ball joint dust cover5.2× usual
  Renault Kadjar

  6.2% All 2016 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.5% of all 2016 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.

• Headlights3.6× usual
  Renault Kadjar

  5.1% All 2016 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1.3% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Track rod ends1.9× usual
  Renault Kadjar

  4.4% All 2016 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 1.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

Common 2016 Renault Kadjar petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Renault Kadjar petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  32% 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
  25% 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
  20% 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
  13% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  6% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  6% 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 2016 Renault Kadjar petrol

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.

• 1.2 TCe petrol can use oil

  1.2 TCe petrol

  The 1.2 TCe petrol engine can burn oil, and some owners have needed a replacement engine. Owners are advised to check the oil every 1,000-2,000 miles.

  At the viewing: Check the dipstick level, look for blue smoke on start-up, and look for oil top-ups in the service history.

  Source: Auto Express: used Renault Kadjar Mk1 (2015-date) review

• Child lock recall (built up to July 2018)

  Cars built up to July 2018

  Over 45,000 Kadjars built up to July 2018 were recalled in August 2020 because the rear child locks could be faulty.

  At the viewing: Test that the rear child locks work. Confirm with a Renault dealer, using the VIN, that the recall has been done.

  Source: Auto Express: used Renault Kadjar Mk1 (2015-date) review

• Airbag, seatbelt and brake servo recalls

  Early cars (recalls issued 2016-2017)

  Early cars were recalled for side airbags that might not inflate properly (April 2016 and again September 2017), a seatbelt fault (April 2016) and a possible brake servo failure (January 2016). The source doesn't give build dates for these.

  At the viewing: Run the VIN through a Renault dealer or the DVSA recall checker. Make sure the airbag light goes out after start-up and the brake pedal feels firm.

  Source: Auto Express: used Renault Kadjar Mk1 (2015-date) review

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

  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)

• Flat 12V battery and beeping alarm

  All engines

  The battery can run down, especially if the car isn't used much, and the alarm beeps when charge is low. Faulty tilt sensors can also set it off.

  At the viewing: Make sure the car starts easily and the alarm isn't beeping. Ask how old the battery is.

  Source: Auto Express: used Renault Kadjar Mk1 (2015-date) review

• Infotainment glitches

  All engines

  Some owners report problems with Bluetooth and sat-nav, and What Car? also mentions small infotainment faults.

  At the viewing: Pair your phone, run the sat-nav, and check every screen function works. Make sure gear changes are smooth.

  Source: Auto Express: used Renault Kadjar Mk1 (2015-date) review, What Car?: used Renault Kadjar 2015-2022 reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Renault Kadjar petrol

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

1. How often do you top up the oil, and has the engine ever been replaced or repaired under warranty?
2. Has the child door lock recall been done?
3. Have all the airbag, seatbelt and brake servo recalls been carried out?
4. How often does it need oil between services, and has there been any engine work?
5. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2016 Renault Kadjar petrol as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 5.2× as often on the 2016 Renault Kadjar petrol as on other cars the same age.)